The 2nd-ranked 11-1 (7-1) Texas Longhorns play against the 5th-ranked 10-2 (6-2) Georgia Bulldogs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georiga, for their first SEC Conference Championship game in their inaugural season. The SEC Championship game will be crucial for both teams since the winner will clinch a first-round BYE and either the first or second seed in the College Football Playoff rankings. The over/under is 50.5 points, while the Longhorns are 2.5-point favorites.
The Texas Longhorns elite LT exited early last week
Longhorns’ elite left tackle and future first-round pick Kelvin Banks Jr. suffered a left ankle injury early in the first quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies last week. Banks, with the help of the medical staff, limped off the field and went directly to the medical tent, where he later went to the locker room. He did not return for the remainder of the game and was spotted wearing a walking boot on his left leg.
Steve Sarkisian gave a brief injury update on Quinn Ewers’ blindside protector during Monday’s press conference. “Kelvin really is in a situation that is kind of similar to Quinn [Ewers]. It’s going to kind of be a process throughout the week to see what he can look like as we get closer to game day. But it was a good start to the week for him,” Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said during his Monday press conference.
What is his game status for the afternoon game?
Kelvin Banks Jr. practiced during this week’s practice, and the Longhorns listed him as questionable on Wednesday’s final injury report. According to Pete Thamel of ESPN, Banks is a game-time decision against the Georgia Bulldogs. He will test out his left ankle during pre-game warmups, which will ultimately decide his availability for the SEC Championship game.
Sources: Texas star left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. is expected to be a game-time decision against Georgia today. He’s been dealing with an ankle injury. Redshirt freshman Trevor Goosby would go for Texas if Banks can’t start or can’t finish. pic.twitter.com/CV63ioPhMc
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 7, 2024
Who starts at left tackle if he cannot play?
As Pete Thamel points out, redshirt freshman Trevor Goosby will start at left tackle (would be the first of his collegiate career) if Kelvin Banks Jr. cannot play. Goosby, a former three-star recruit from the 2023 recruiting class, filled in for the remainder of their victory against the elite Aggies defensive front. Sarkisian praised the future starting left tackle for his efforts in a difficult Texas A&M environment.
“I really thought we controlled the line of scrimmage tonight. I was really proud of Trevor Goosby when Kelvin went down,” Sarkisian said. “Stepped in for his first real action and I thought performed well in not an easy environment to do that.”
