11/27/17 12:01pm

Coach Smart’s Monday presser after 11-1 start

Photo: georgiadogs.com

Following the blowout win vs rival Georgia Tech this past Saturday, Coach Smart held his weekly press conference to talk about the upcoming rematch with Auburn.

With the regular season completed and the biggest game for UGA up to this point 6 days away, Coach Smart addressed the media ahead of the SEC Championship game this upcoming Saturday.

Kirby opened up by giving credit to Auburn by stating, “they are playing at a really high level and are probably the hottest team in the country right now.”

After a 40-17 loss to Auburn a few weeks ago, Kirby said his guys need to get some knock backs and referred to it as trench warfare. Getting beat both offensively and defensively in their last meeting, the Bulldogs have some major things to improve on.

When asked about the plays he sent into the SEC, he responded with “no comment.” Kirby also stated that “he doesn’t think who won the last game in a rematch matters once kickoff happens.”

As most rivalry games happen, the games are normally a toss-up with no one really knowing how the game will play out. When UGA went into Auburn, they were a 2.5 point favorite and now heading into the SEC Championship, the roles have changed and Auburn is the team with the 2.5 favorite. Ironic?

With asked about a few injuries to Trenton Thompson and Christian Payne this past weekend, Kirby responded with “We expect both of them to be fine and we will know more on Payne later today.”

As for the surprising collapse of the run game in the previous meeting where Sony and Nick combined for 48 total yards, Kirby said that the OL needs to get movement off the line to create space.

Following the play where Auburn’s Kerryon Johnson was taken out with an apparent shoulder injury, Kirby was asked if he thought Kerryon would play in the SEC Championship and he responded with “I fully expect Kerryon Johnson to play Saturday.”

With Georgia making it to the SEC Championship for the first time since 2012, look for them to come out with more fire not only because it is a rematch against the only team to beat them this year but also a chance at making the school’s first CFP.

SEC Championship is scheduled for 4pm on Saturday December 2nd at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

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