For one team, an SEC championship game appearance is old hat. For the other, it’s a chance to bring a cowboy hat to an event that never has seen one.

Georgia and Texas will square off for the second time this season Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The Bulldogs (10-2 SU, 3-9 ATS) are in the conference title game for the seventh time in eight seasons. The Longhorns (11-1 SU, 7-5 ATS) will be there for the first time since this is their first season in the SEC.

Georgia gave Texas its only loss when it stormed into Austin and dominated early en route to a 30-15 win despite being 4-point underdogs. Now the Longhorns will try to win on the Bulldogs’ turf in Georgia.

Texas is a 2.5-point favorite. The over/under is 49.5 points. Here are our Georgia vs. Texas predictions and best bets for the SEC championship game.

Note: Odds are based on the best value our experts find as of publication; check lines closer to game time to ensure you get the best odds.

Georgia vs. Texas predictions and best bets

With only one game against a longstanding SEC team before it faced Georgia, Texas received a welcome-to-the-conference notice on Oct. 19. The Bulldogs stormed into Austin and beat the Longhorns by more than two touchdowns.

Much of Georgia’s success came from turnovers as it converted two turnovers into 14 points thanks to the short fields that resulted from those turnovers. The Longhorns committed two more turnovers, and although Georgia committed three overall, the Longhorns didn’t do as much with them.

In other words, turnovers will be important Saturday. We’re siding with Texas because three turnovers against Georgia were fumbles. Losing that many fumbles in one game was an outlier the Longhorns will focus on this weekend.

On the other hand, all of Georgia’s turnovers were interceptions thrown by quarterback Carson Beck. Those were not flukey because Beck has been turnover-prone this season, and Texas has the most interceptions in SEC play.

In short, Texas’ defense is more likely to repeat its turnover performance.

The Longhorns also have been a steadier team. They’re 5-0 since the loss to Georgia and have won four in a row by double digits. Georgia has had peaks and valleys throughout the season – even within the same game.

We are siding with consistency for the SEC championship game and picking Texas to win the rematch.

The Longhorns could have the element of surprise on their side, too. In their last game against rival Texas A&M, they unveiled a red zone package featuring backup quarterback Arch Manning running the read-option.

Will Texas add new plays to Manning’s offensive package? At worst, it’s something annoying for Georgia’s defense to worry about. Manning scored on a 15-yard run against the Aggies, and his anytime touchdown odds of +300 offered by DraftKings Sportsbook are great value.

The Longhorns’ defense is one of the best in the nation. It has been so good in league play that it has limited SEC opponents to four touchdown passes in eight games. Every other SEC team allowed at least nine TD passes in conference games. Beck did not have any touchdown passes in the win over Texas.

Georgia vs. Texas moneyline odds analysis

Why Texas could win as the favorite

Best odds: -135 at Caesars Sportsbook

In addition to being steady and consistent, Texas has some strong trends in its favor.

The favored team is 42-21 straight-up in SEC games this season, and the favored team has won 17 of the past 22 SEC championship games.

Texas may be new to the SEC championship, but head coach Steve Sarkisian is not. He spent three seasons on the Alabama coaching staff. In between those seasons, he was the offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons, who play their home games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Why Georgia could win as the underdog

Best odds: +120 at DraftKings Sportsbook

The Bulldogs have flashed their gnarly teeth in big spots this season. If they do it again, it should be enough to beat Texas.

Georgia has familiarity on its side, having been to the SEC championship game six of the past seven seasons. The players know where to go in the stadium. They know the surroundings. The fans will overwhelmingly favor Georgia.

Beck has struggled with interceptions this season, but all 12 came in five games. He hasn’t thrown one in the last three games. If he can make it four in a row, the Bulldogs should be able to sustain enough drives to win.