AUSTIN, Texas – Georgia coach Kirby Smart got a taste of how to beat Texas from Oklahoma last week.

Go to the quarterback.

The Bulldogs’ No. 5 ranking comes behind Longhorns’ quarterback Quinn Ewers as of the start of the 7:30 p.m. class at DKR Texas Memorial Stadium.

That’s what the Sooners did last week, jumping out to a 3-0 lead before Texas adjusted and ultimately scored a 34-3 win.

Ewers, a preseason Heisman Trophy candidate in his second game since missing three weeks with an oblique injury, was 20 of 29 passing for 199 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

But within those numbers, the veteran Texas quarterback was just 3 of 9 and was intercepted when pressured on 12 of his 32 attempts.

Oklahoma coach Brent Venables, a noted defensive guru, explained the challenge of getting to Ewers.

“They do really well when you play them man-to-man, they have guys who can beat you one-on-one,” Venables said. “And in zone (coverage) the quarterback can pick you apart, so you have to pick your poison.”

Georgia has had challenges through its first six games, keeping defensive linemen who can keep pressure healthy and finding capable DBs to replace the three NFL draft picks from last year’s secondary.

However, the Bulldogs could be ready to settle tonight.

Defensive line disruptor Mykel Williams is as healthy as he has been since suffering an ankle sprain in the opening game against Clemson.

Williams, who missed two games, was limited to just 11 snaps against Mississippi State last Saturday, and six snaps against Auburn before that.

“We’ve had another week and we’re hoping he’s healthy and full and ready to go,” Smart said. “I won’t know until we go there.”

Georgia recorded no sacks against Mississippi State last week, and has just 11 on the season – 78th in the nation.

Smart has also hinted that UGA could be willing to land promising freshman cornerback Ellis Robinson IV.

It was definitely a down year for the Bulldogs in the secondary as they rank just 63rd in the country in pass efficiency defense.

Robinson – a five-star recruit – played 9 snaps against State last Saturday in his first SEC action on defense of the season.

Smart noted that Robinson has had better preparation of late, setting him up for key opportunities in a secondary that has given up an unusually high number of big plays — including three explosive pass plays for 35 yards or more in the 41-31 victory last Saturday over Mississippi. Stands.

“He is blessed with a God-given talent…. He has practiced better the last two weeks than he has all year,” Smart said. “I think he has the stamina to go and practice all the time, the attention to detail and the focus in meetings. He takes much better notes now than he ever did.”

Venables shared the formula for Oklahoma’s early success against Texas, as the Sooners picked off Ewers on the opening series and held the Longhorns three-and-out on the next two series.

“Just sound and playing together, and punching holes,” Venables said, describing the hallmarks of previous Kirby Smart defenses in Georgia.

“Staying on top of routes, playing with good leverage, guys focusing on their play action and slide protection, things like that.”

But, Venables explained, it’s not nearly as easy as it sounds.

“Their attack has a lot of experience up front, they are physical, they have a great passing pro, their backs are getting better,” Venables said.

“They have good tight ends who are a threat in the receiving game, (and) their play design, they do a great job with their deception play and they are physical too. They have receivers who are very dynamic… and the quarterback throws with tremendous accuracy and great rhythm.”

Georgia will need its best players — All-American safety Malaki Starks and versatile linebacker Jalon Walker — to be at their best, along with perhaps a lift from Williams and Robinson.

“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 is the goal of every coach: to play your best game in the future.

“That’s what it’s going to take to get out there and play in Texas.”