Georgia is aiming for the “best game” at No. 1 Texas and has four challenges ahead of it in the crucial SEC showdown

ATHENS – A Georgia football win at Texas would go a long way in helping the Bulldogs establish their identity this season.

Coach Kirby Smart made that clear when asked by DawgNation what he would like to see from his team against the No. 1-ranked Longhorns in Saturday’s game at 7:30 p.m.

“I want them to play their best game against Texas,” Smart said. “Simply put, we didn’t play our best game, we didn’t put together a complete game, and that’s every coach’s goal, to play their best game going forward.”

“That’s what it takes to tour and play in Texas. We have to play better and the only goal on my mind right now is how we play this week.”

Smart assigned Florida transfer Trevor Etienne to represent the offense during Monday’s media session, which did not impact the tailback’s leadership and importance in the game.

Etienne explained how he would maintain his lead in the training days before the crucial game and told his teammates what he would say.

“Just make sure we do the little things right, be proud of the accomplishment, come and do what you can do better,” Etienne said. “Being a positive voice and letting them know it’s going to be a big game, but we got it done.

“Come in and work, work, work.”

The Bulldogs are a 3 1/2-point underdog as of this writing, but senior safety Dan Jackson said that will have no impact on Georgia’s approach.

“I don’t think we’re too worried about outside expectations,” Jackson said when asked about UGA playing the role of underdog for the first time since the 2021 season opener against Clemson, which was played in Charlotte, N.C holds

“Personally, I don’t think we’re ever an outsider…I’m not worried at all about the guys we have in our room.”

However, Smart has concerns as he prepares his team to play a Texas team that has rattled off 11 straight home wins since the 2022 season.

Here are four things to keep in mind at Smart’s press conference on Monday:

Steve Sarkisian’s offense

Texas ranks seventh nationally in total offense (495.7 yards per game) and offensive scoring (43.2 points per effort) entering the game tied with Georgia.

“They’re balanced, (and) they do a great job of putting you in contention when it comes to run-pass, play-action, turning your back on the ball (and) they can make shots,” Smart said. “They make you sit at the line of scrimmage because you think it’s a run and they run right past you.

“They’ll make you pay attention to movement and you won’t see the guy running across the field and them going by.”

Includes Quinn Ewers

Smart noted that Texas’ veteran quarterback is back in the saddle after leading the Longhorns to a 34-3 win over Oklahoma after missing the previous two games with an oblique injury.

“It’s his awareness, like there’s nothing he hasn’t seen, and as a quarterback you gain confidence playing the position,” Smart said of Ewers, who has led Texas to 19 wins in his 25 starts.

“He played a lot of football, he’s a really good athlete and he was in Sarkisian’s system,” he said. “This guy goes out and hurts people running when he has to, but he can also stand in the pocket and make all the throws and change protections.”

Texas’ best defense

The Longhorns are No. 1 nationally in total defense (229.7 yards per game) and scoring defense (6.33 points per game).

“Size, speed … every defense starts with train wreckers, big guys, physical guys at the point of attack who are hard to move, they have them,” Smart said. “You have guys on the edge who are elite rushers.

“They filled some holes (via the transfer portal) that they had and they are the complete package on defense. They are really consistent and don’t give up on explosiveness.”

Treacherous quote

Perhaps Smart’s most telling comment was when he compared this Texas team to recent Georgia teams that have won championships.

“The consistency with which you watch them play reminds me of some of our best teams here,” Smart said. “I’m like, ‘Man, they’re good at D, they’re good at O, they’re good at special teams and they’re playing at a high level.’