Georgia coach Kirby Smart and South Carolina interim coach Mike Bobo have been long-time friends since their days as teammates at Georgia. Now their families are close and they’ve been known play golf and to vacation together.

But this week is different now that they’re facing each other under the lights at Williams-Brice Stadium.

“He and I go way back, lived together,” Smart said on the SEC coaches media teleconference. “Know him well.. we’ve remained close, our kids are friends. This week, not much communication, this is a different week with Thanksgiving.”

Who is the better golfer?

“I don’t answer questions like that with guys that are 25/30 handicap,” Smart said. “Basically, he’s terrible.”

For his team, Smart said he has seen improvement in special teams, and offensively Georgia is “more explosive, we protect the quarterback well. Defensively, probably not as good, not in the Florida game or against Alabama, playing against some good quarterbacks… overall, I’m pleased with the effort of the guys.”

Smart was asked about Georgia being ranked No. 9 in the initial College Football Playoff rankings released on Tuesday night, and the criticism that came with it.

“It’s great to be in the conversation all the time… but we let our play speak for itself,” he said. “I challenge any team to jump into this league and play 10 games, play our schedule. I welcome them to do that.”