Texas’ showdown with Georgia in Austin sums up why Longhorns made move to SEC

AUSTIN, Texas — Striding out of his office on Thursday afternoon, Chris Del Conte is on the way to another meeting. Such is life this week for the athletic director of the country’s richest athletic department.

This meeting, like many of the rest this week, is focused on logistics related to Saturday’s big home game: No. 1 Texas vs. No. 5 Georgia.

The game is, arguably, the biggest in Darrell K Royal Stadium this late in a season in 54 years and, perhaps some here contend, it is the biggest game ever given the circumstances: the SEC’s new blood against the SEC’s old blood colliding in a top-five, prime-time showdown in front of more than 100,000 people in the bustling downtown of one of America’s booming cities.

But there’s more, says Del Conte.

Formula 1, the international racing federation, is holding its annual Grand Prix just a few miles from the football stadium, where more than 200,000 people are expected over the three-day event — from practice rounds to Sunday’s finale.

Del Conte isn’t done yet. On Saturday night, as the Bulldogs and Longhorns tangle on the football field, an F1 concert unfolds featuring lead artist Eminem.

Wait, wait. There’s even more.

Right around the time the football game goes to halftime, the city’s professional soccer team, Austin FC, begins a match across town.

Del Conte shuffles into the logistical meeting looking like someone who’s slept little.

“Saturday’s going to be a mess,” he says before pausing.

“Look, the whole thing’s fine,” he continues. “It’s just chaos!”

Chaos. A mess. Or, perhaps, another description fits this Saturday in Austin: Perfect.

The Texas Longhorns host fellow SEC powerhouse Georgia in Austin on Saturday night. (Tim Warner/Getty Images)

If one weekend could encapsulate the essence and motive behind the school’s move to the…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/texas-showdown-with-georgia-in-austin-sums-up-why-longhorns-made-move-to-sec-124939594.html

Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-10-18 12:49:39

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.