Getty
Seeking a 10th win for the first time since Colt McCoy was under center, the No. 15 Texas Longhorns will take on the No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs in the 2019 Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day.
The game is scheduled to start at 8:45 p.m. ET and will be broadcast nationally on ESPN. If you don’t have cable, you can still watch a live stream of the game on your computer, phone, video game console, smart TV or streaming device by signing up for one of the following cable-free, live-TV streaming services:
In addition to a Netflix-like on-demand streaming library, Hulu also offers a bundle of 50-plus live TV channels, including ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU. You can sign up for “Hulu with Live TV” right here, and you can then watch a live stream of the game on your computer via the Hulu website, or on your phone, tablet, or streaming device via the Hulu app.
If you can’t watch live, “Hulu with Live TV” also comes with 50 hours of Cloud DVR storage (with the ability to upgrade to “Enhanced Cloud DVR,” which gives you 200 hours of DVR space and the ability to fast forward through commercials).
ESPN and ESPN2 are both included in the “Sling Orange” channel bundle. You can sign up for a free seven-day trial right here, and you can then watch a live stream of the game on your computer via the Sling TV website, or on your phone, tablet, or streaming device via the Sling TV app.
If you can’t watch live, you can get 50 hours of cloud DVR storage as an additional add-on.
ESPN Platforms
Additionally, you can watch a live stream of the game on your computer via ESPN.com, or on your phone, tablet, or streaming device via the ESPN app. You’ll need to log in to a cable provider to watch this way, but if you don’t have that, you can still sign up for one of the above options and then use your Hulu or Sling TV credentials to sign in and watch on the ESPN digital platforms.
Texas vs Georgia Preview
2018 marked a return to prominence for Texas, who, in the eight years since appearing in the BCS National Championship in 2009, averaged 6.625 wins per season, appeared in two Texas Bowls, two Alamo Bowls, one Holiday Bowl and completely missed out on a bowl in the three other seasons.
The Longhorns ranked 23rd in the AP preseason poll this year, so they weren’t completely void of expectations, but not many foresaw them beating Oklahoma, advancing to the Big 12 championship and securing a spot in a New Year’s Six bowl.
Still, despite already surpassing expectations, the Longhorns know the job isn’t done. They want to prove that they once again belong on the big stage–not that they’re simply happy to get there.
“We do want them to enjoy the time in New Orleans — our team has earned this,” said Tom Herman, who is in his second season as head coach. “This is a tremendous bowl game and a tremendous city. But we also know that we’ve come here with a job to do, too, and that’s to win the Sugar Bowl championship. When it’s time to work, we’re going to be dialed in, focused in, and ready to work.”
Conversely, Georgia was surely disappointed to find themselves headed to the Sugar Bowl. Though the Bulldogs lost to Alabama in the SEC Championship, they still went 11-2, they challenged the Crimson Tide better than anyone else this season, and they felt they belonged in the playoff.
Teams in Georgia’s situation can sometimes suffer a letdown in their bowl game, but Georgia is making sure to stay focused.
“That’s past us — the guys have put it behind us,” Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm said of the loss to Alabama and missing the playoff. “I’ve put it behind me. We’re here now. You can’t change anything that’s happened in the past. We’re excited and ready to play.”
Still, while this may not be the ultimate goal, a win for Georgia would give them back-to-back New Year’s Six bowl wins, back-to-back 12-plus win seasons and back-to-back Top-5 finishes, something they didn’t even accomplish during the early years of the Mark Richt era.
The oddsmakers certainly expect them to do it, as the Bulldogs are favored by 12.5. But Texas has proven they can play with anyone this year, and Georgia aren’t taking them for granted.
“We know the hurdle that’s in front of us in Texas, a team that has got a great tradition, really good football team,” Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said. “Texas plays in a really good conference, and we have a standard that we play to regardless of who we play. We know we’re playing a really good opponent, and our players are excited for that opportunity. This is one of the best bowls in the country.”
The last time these two teams played was in the 1984 Cotton Bowl, with Georgia squeezing out the 10-9 victory. You can expect a few more points in this one.