Kirby Smart isn’t buying into what some are calling a down year in the SEC. The Georgia head coach told reporters during his Tuesday press conference that he thinks all 14 SEC programs should be ranked.

Smart’s comments came in response to a reporter asking for the coach’s thoughts about conference teams on the rise in 2023. Smart did not understand the question, and the reporter pointed to Tennessee, Missouri and Ole Miss.

“I personally think every SEC team should be ranked,” Smart said. “I guarantee you there are some teams that don’t want to play them when they’re ranked. I literally have no idea what you’re referencing because every team we play in the SEC is good enough to beat us. And, whether they’re ranked or not, I could care less. I’m trying to be more physical than them and outscore them. And (that’s) the only thing I’m concerned with – not their ranking.”

The latest AP Top 25 features 7 SEC teams, led by Georgia at No. 1. Alabama, Ole Miss, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee and LSU are also ranked in college football’s most cited poll. Texas A&M is among the other teams that received votes.

No. 20 UK will be UGA’s first ranked opponent of the 2023 season. Saturday’s showdown in Athens is set for 7 p.m. ET, and will air on ESPN.