Georgia football is officially in rivalry mode. After a well-timed bye week, the Bulldogs are preparing for their annual netural site battle with the Florida Gators in Jacksonville. Monday’s media session offered insight into how head coach Kirby Smart and key players are approaching one of college football’s most storied rivalries.
Here are three takeaways from what Smart, linebacker C.J. Allen, and offensive lineman Drew Bobo had to say as Georgia heads into the stretch run of their season.
1. Kirby Smart stresses tackling and discipline heading into Jacksonville
Kirby Smart didn’t mince words, the Georgia-Florida rivalry is unpredictable, and that’s exactly what makes it dangerous.
”It’s kind of weird because it sits right there in the middle, and it can be loud both ways,” Smart shared via 247sports.com about the neutral site environment in Jacksonville. “Whoever’s crowd is into it at the time or who has the momentum. That matters.”
Smart said Georgia’s defense spent the bye week returning to fundamentals, with an emphasis on tackling and communication. Against Flordia’s athletic quarterback DJ Lagway, Smart emphasized that missed tackles could quickly turn into explosive plays.
“At the end of the day, that’s what defense is about,” Smart said. “Good defenses have few missed tackles.”
Smart also noted that the Bulldogs are focusing on improving their third down defense and avoiding mental lapses. With both teams refreshed after the break, the message from Smart was simple, control what you can control.
2. C.J. Allen says Georgia’s focus is on “doing simple better”
Lineabcker C.J. Allen continues to emerge as one of Georgia’s defensive leaders, and his comments on Monday reflected that maturity. The junior, who leads the team in tackles with 56 has been a force in the middle of the field, and the defense has used the off week to sharpen execution rather than reinvent the wheel.
”It’s about doing simple better,” Allen said. “Executing our calls and getting back to some our base fundamentals.”
Allen also praised sophomore Chris Cole for stepping into a bigger role, calling him “a smart player” who’s adjusted well to Georgia’s system.
When asked what the rivalry means to him personally, the Georgia native didn’t hesitate. “I’m from Georgia, I’m a Georgia kid,” Allen said. “It definitely means a lot.”
Allen also described his first memory of the Georgia-Florida game, walking out of the tunnel into a split stadium of red and blue. "No one was there when we came out for warmups, and then the whole stadium was packed out,” he said. “That was my earliest memory.“
3. Drew Bobo praises Gunner Stockton’s preparation and leadership
Offensive lineman Drew Bobo said the bye week came at a perfect time for Georgia’s offensive front, which has battled injuires and shifting lineups throughout the season. Despite the rotation, Bobo said it’s helped build valuable depth.
”it’s been moving parts the whole year,” Bobo said. “But its also good because we’ve created a lot of depth through doing that.”
Bobo also had high praise for quarterback Gunner Stockton, who’s continued to grow into his leadership role since taking over as starter.
”He puts in alot of time off the field — watching film, writing things down, deciding what he likes against different coverages,” Bobo said. “He’s gotten better and better at that every week.”
Georgia enters the rivalry with Florida riding a four year win streak and the confidence of a team that’s been there before. But as Smart reminded everyone on Monday, in a game fueled by emotion and history, the Bulldogs can’t take anything for granted.