The first half of Saturday’s SEC Championship ended in chaos when Georgia quarterback Carson Beck was sacked by the Texas defense, resulting in an injury to his throwing arm — and perhaps ruining the Bulldogs’ playoff chances.
He was ruled out of the match and replaced by backup Gunner Stockton.
Beck was sacked by outside linebacker Trey Moore on the final play of the first half, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Anthony Hill Jr., who then lost the ball on an errant attempt to extend the play with a lateral as time passed.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart was initially optimistic, telling ESPN, “He got hit when he threw it.” Asked if Beck could play in the second half, Smart said: “It should be. Don’t know.’
No. No. 2 Texas defeated No. 5 Georgia 260-54, but led only 6-3 at halftime. The Bulldogs posted minus-2 yards rushing and Beck completed 7 of 13 passes for 56 yards.
Not only could Beck’s absence hurt the Bulldogs against Texas, but the injury could also cost Georgia in the final College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings.
A year ago, a season-ending injury to Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis contributed to the Seminoles’ elimination in the four-team playoffs.
Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (15) is injured on the turf during the first half against Texas
“Florida State is a different team than they were the first 11 weeks,” Boo Corrigan, chairman of the College Football Playoff committee, told ESPN of the decision to exclude FSY. “An incredible season. But if you look at who they are as a team, right now, without Jordan Travis, without the offensive dynamic that he brings, they’re a different team.”
The Seminoles are the only undefeated team from a Power 5 conference to ever be dismissed in the ten-year history of the CFP.
Luckily for Georgia, the playoff was expanded to 12 teams this year, theoretically giving the Bulldogs a chance to advance with or without a win in the SEC title game.