Georgia football has had its fair share of big games, and this weekend against Tennessee is the next one in line. The Vols come in as the No.1 ranked team on the College Football Playoff rankings while the Dawgs are No.3. This matchup is one of the biggest in Sanford Stadium history, and the Dawgs will be ready for it.
The trash-talking going back and forth on social media is interesting to watch. Some Tennessee fans feel like Georgia is overlooking or underestimating the Vols, but it’s quite the opposite.
Head coach Kirby Smart makes sure his team respects the opponents they’re taking on that week, especially when it’s a rivalry. Sure he gave us that bone-chilling pregame speech ahead of the Florida game and other instances, but when preparing for those teams, it’s all respect.
Georgia football refuses to underestimate any level of opponent.
If you read or listen to any of Smart’s press conferences, he is also praising the opponents’ coach, how well certain players perform, and how the Dawgs will have to really focus to win that week. He knows when they show teams respect, it makes his team work harder. There is always a means to the madness, and Smart knows how to get the best out of his team.
When you respect teams, no one can say you’re providing bulletin board material. It’s a classy look and part of the Georgia football culture. They know each team has something that they bring to the table, and if they don’t prepare for it, disaster could happen. Of course, these are younger people, so that doesn’t always correlate, but still, Smart tries and makes his players respect all of their opponents.
This team still has that fire inside them, and they want to be better than their opponent, which drives the fire. Trash-talking and disrespecting teams isn’t how Georgia does things, and as long as Smart is the head coach, it’ll be all about respect.
So for those fans who think that Georgia is underestimating the Vols or not doing enough to prepare for this top-3 matchup — you’re sadly mistaken. Georgia knows how good Tennessee is and is happy people focus on the Vols instead of the Dawgs. Saturday will be fun because these are two of the best teams in one of the best college football environments — Georgia lives for these moments.