Texas football is preparing to face Georgia in one of the biggest games on the college football calendar, but one of its top offensive weapons appears to be AWOL. Wide receiver Isaiah Bond is now listed as questionable for the Big Game on the SEC injury report, according to Pete Nakos of On3 Sports.
Bond exited last week’s Red River Rivalry game against Oklahoma with an ankle injury in the first half and did not return, and it now appears like he may miss another key game. The Alabama transfer is presently the Longhorns’ leading receiver, with 21 receptions for 369 yards and three touchdowns.
Texas benefited greatly from Quinn Ewers’ return from an injury sustained against Oklahoma on Saturday, as the star quarterback was able to shake off some rust before facing Kirby Smart and a Georgia defense that is missing some key parts of its own.
If Bond is able to go, he will try to learn from Alabama and standout wideout Ryan Williams about what a No. 1 wideout can do against this Georgia secondary. Williams had a crazy game against the Bulldogs, including his amazing game-winner, and Bond will be trying to make similar plays if he is allowed to play.
Texas has been by far the greatest team in college football this season, according to the “eye test”. It has practically decimated every team in its way thus far, including a rout of Oklahoma on Saturday and a spectacular road win over Michigan earlier this season.
Despite the absence of Ewers for two games, the Longhorns performed admirably. Arch Manning came in and played exceptionally well as Texas cruised to two blowout victories.So far, it’s difficult to see a flaw in this Texas team. They have huge bodies that control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, a solid quarterback with lots of weapons to throw to, and a superb secondary that makes it difficult to throw the ball against them.
On Saturday, Texas has the opportunity to make a clear statement that it is the team to beat in college football. Oregon may be upset with that after defeating Ohio State, but the Longhorns have looked considerably more dominant on their way to an undefeated season thus far. If they can hold off a top-five club in Georgia, their position at the top of the hierarchy will be established.