It's a make-or-break week for the Texas Longhorns (7-2). Like a season ago, the No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs (8-1) stand in their way of playoff positioning, and even a potential berth in the College Football Playoff.

Some don't believe Texas needs to win the game to make the playoff, but for all intents and purposes it is a must-win for the Longhorns.

Georgia might be ranked the same, and Kirby Smart is still the team's head coach. Albeit this Georgia team is more beatable because of what they lost.

Heading into the season, the Bulldogs' inexperience was a huge talking point for the team. More than usual, Georgia would have to rely on underclassmen to produce on both sides of the football. And while they have managed the inexperience well, it's clear the team is more vulnerable than before.

Twice the Bulldogs have given up 35-or-more points. Once to Tennessee and then to Ole Miss. The Georgia pass rush isn't as stout or potent with 11 sacks on the season. The stats say Georgia is a good defense, allowing 19.8 points, 100.2 rush yards and 210.6 pass yards per contest. The eye test tells a different story.

Georgia is vulnerable despite minimizing vulnerability well. The Bulldogs nearly lost to Auburn earlier in the season and might have had the game had better officiating. The SEC fired the officiating crew for that game after several calls tipped the scales in Kirby Smart's favor, a recurring theme in recent seasons.

It took overtime for Georgia to defeat Tennessee, 44-41. The Volunteers had little difficulty moving the ball. Neither did Ole Miss, who came up short, 43-35.

There's not much bad to say about the Georgia offense, who has been good enough in every game except the team's home loss to Alabama, 24-21. Georgia quarterback Gunnar Stockton has benefitted from a revamped wide receiver room led by Zachariah Branch. Nate Frazier leads the rushing attack with 575 yards and three touchdowns on 101 carries.

Despite all the talent and production, Georgia hasn't been that much more dominant than Texas to this point. They have played in four one-score games and gone 3-1.

Make no mistake, the Bulldogs are a good team. Certainly, they are good enough to beat Texas at home. But they're more vulnerable and playing games seemingly as closely as they ever have before. The Longhorns will look to make a statement on Saturday in their latest must-win game.