The matchup between the Bulldogs and Gamecocks is set for Saturday, Nov. 28 at 7:30 p.m., ET on the SEC Network. Before practice, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart participated in the SEC Football Weekly Media Teleconference.
Selected comments from Smart from the teleconference:
Opening Statement
“Our guys have been getting after it this week. We are hoping to get a break for Thanksgiving in the next couple of days. Then, get back together and head over to Columbia, [S.C.], and go over and play the Gamecocks over at their place.”
On his relationship with Mike Bobo…
“He and I obviously go way back. We lived together in college and really grew up not far apart. Our families and fathers were good friends. I know Mike well. I have always been close to him throughout the profession. We’ve worked together a couple of times, and have always remained close. Our immediate families, our kids are friends. We haven’t had a lot of communication this week, obviously. It’s a different kind of week because you are extremely busy. Thanksgiving week is harder because your preparation time shrinks, in terms of not practicing at normal times, moving things up. School is not going on. It’s a little tougher prep time. He and I really haven’t had a time to visit or do anything.”
On who is the better golfer between him and Bobo…
“You know, I don’t really answer questions like that with guys that are above 25 or 30 handicap. I don’t discuss that… Basically, he’s terrible.”
On where the team has improved the most this season…
“Well, different areas. I really feel like—if you look compared to last year you would say, in terms of special teams units, they have outperformed from last year. We had a punter come back which was helpful. Our kickoff returner team has been better. From a standpoint of offensively, I think being explosive in the pass game. We have made some more plays with the receivers downfield. We’ve protected the quarterback well, but we did that as well last year. Defensively, we haven’t probably done as good as some things we had done last year. We didn’t play as well obviously in the Florida game and playing Alabama. So, the level of competition we have played in a lot of instances. We have played some better quarterbacks this year than we did last year. Also, some weather conditions we played in last year weren’t conducive for offense at all. Overall, I am pleased with the effort of the guys. We’ve had really good leadership from those guys.”
On where injuries stand heading into Saturday…
“Pretty similar to what we have been. I don’t know if anything else is different this game than it was for last week’s Mississippi State’s game. I don’t know if there is somebody specific you are asking about, but I don’t see it as a big difference. We are trying to get Jordan [Davis] back. We are still hopeful to get him back. He has been able to do more this week, but we still don’t know if he is ready to go.”
