Kirby Smart gives injury update, previews SEC Championship Game vs. Alabama
By Jake Rill
Published:
Kirby Smart is familiar with Alabama’s offense after Georgia faced it during last season’s College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
This year, the Bulldogs will face the Crimson Tide in Saturday’s SEC Championship Game. And the Georgia coach has an idea of what to expect from the Tide’s high-powered offense.
“One of the most elite group of skill players I’ve seen assembled in college football,” Smart said on Sunday’s SEC Championship Game teleconference. “No one is going to go out and stone cold these guys. … They can score, they’re going to score, and they’re good at it.”
Alabama has beaten all 12 teams it has faced this season by at least 20 points. The Crimson Tide rolled through SEC play, ending their conference schedule with back-to-back shutout wins over Mississippi State and LSU and a victory over Auburn.
Last season, Georgia lost to Alabama, 26-23, in overtime with the national title on the line. This season, Smart says his team’s offense is more experienced, outside of the running back position. That includes sophomore quarterback Jake Fromm, who has passed for 2,236 yards and 24 touchdowns this year.
While speaking on Sunday’s teleconference, Smart updated the status of linebacker Monty Rice, who has been out with a foot injury.
“He is down to one crutch, he’s trying to get back,” Smart said. “He feels better, not 100 percent. We’ll know more this week.”
Georgia and Alabama will kick off at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday.
Jake Rill contributes to news coverage for Saturday Down South. He has covered the SEC since 2016.
