Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning saw his first season as QB1 get off to a rocky start behind a remodeled offensive line, but the No. 10 ranked Longhorns have picked things up in recent weeks in building on their 7-2 record.

Riding a four-game win streak into enemy territory, Manning & Co. will look to keep things rolling as they cross paths with the No. 5 ranked Georgia Bulldogs in Athens - a matchup of last year's SEC Championship Game between who are searching for another College Football Playoff berth.

In this one, it's a tale of each team's recent strengths, which will line up opposite of one another on Saturday night.

Longhorns Offense Riding High After Upset Win

Manning has been dynamite in Texas' last two games, eclipsing over 300 yards passing and three touchdowns in wins over Mississippi State and No. 9 Vanderbilt. He is the first Texas quarterback to hit those marks in back-to-back games since Sam Ehlinger in 2018.

The win last week over Vanderbilt is especially energizing as the Longhorns were in full control throughout the first three quarters, ultimately sneaking by with a win 34-31 in the end.

In that one, Manning was surgical in his play-action accuracy by completing 86 percent of passes after a faked handoff. All three of his passing scores came on play-action calls.

After the defense had been Texas' calling card much of the season, two 30-point outbursts by the last two oppositions make you hesitate against a top-five team. However, returning defensive backs Michael Taafe and Jelani McDonald should help in that regard.

Meanwhile, Georgia has seen its defense rise to the occasion lately.

Bulldogs Hope to Take Down Manning After Big Sack Total

If the Dawgs' last handful of games are any indication, they have a strong chance to replicate those performances.

Georgia had three sacks in their 41-21 win over Mississippi State last week. They also limited their Bulldog counterparts to 3.5 yards per rush.

Georgia sacked Texas 13 times in its two wins over the SEC newbies last season. That run defense was also swarming and disruptive.

Head coach Kirby Smart, however, says that he doesn't care what has happened in the past.

"This team didn't beat Texas," Smart said about this year's squad. "And Texas hasn't played this team of ours. So, two completely different teams in my opinion. I think [last year's results] has zero effect on it."

The Top-10 Matchup Highlights Big SEC Weekend

Arguably the next biggest matchup this week also resides in the SEC as No. 11 Oklahoma travels to No. 4 Alabama. Already with two SEC losses, the Sooners are running out of opportunities to see a CFP berth as they face a Tide that is undefeated in conference play.

The No. 3 Texas A&M Aggies face South Carolina and Samford in its next two games before ending the season against the Longhorns on Nov. 28. That means a win over Georgia would do wonders for Texas peaking in momentum and confidence ahead of the biggest game of the year against their in-state rivals. Otherwise, a potential 9-3 Texas team (at best) will need a lot of things to go their way to sneak into the postseason bracket.

Both of these teams are surging in the right direction, but we'll see which of the two heavy-hitters - Texas' offense or Georgia's defense - lands the more pivotal blow under the lights.

It's only the second top-10 matchup in the last month, and it's is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. primetime on ABC.