Kirby Smart discusses hostile environment challenges ahead of Mississippi State game
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Georgia’s home crowd got to the Tennessee offense numerous times this past Saturday. Mississippi State is hoping the cowbells at Davis Wade Stadium can have a similar impact on UGA this coming Saturday.
In his Monday press conference, Kirby Smart discussed the crowd factor for his team’s Week 11 trip to Starkville.
“Well, it’s a huge competitive advantage. That’s why there’s a home and away,” Smart said. “And that’s why I always say in the SEC, it’s greater than NFL, other than playoffs. Because the environment is not the same in any conference, division, level of football as it is in the SEC when you play on the road.
“And I’ve been in this conference for 20-something years. And I’ve seen it. I know what it does in terms of the effect it has on pass rush, the effect it has on momentum. And it’s something you really can’t measure.
“So you have to prepare the right way. It’s a firm reason why I believe in practicing with crowd noise throughout the year because both sides of the ball need it.”
Mississippi State and Georgia play only every few years as rotational cross-division opponents under the current SEC scheduling model. Smart, though, is familiar with the MSU atmosphere as a former Alabama assistant coach.
Smart remembers the loudness of the stadium and the Mississippi State fans.
“I mean, they’re passionate,” Smart told reporters. “You know, I mean, it’s — I can’t say that it’s unique. Because every SEC school, I feel, is that way.
… [I]t’s a rural community that everybody comes from afar, and everybody’s sold-out and in love with their football team.
That’s what they have to hang their hat on, their pride in. Which is usually indicative of all SEC schools. But especially there. I know, you know, being in Tuscaloosa for those years, it was right there right down the road. There’s a lot of pride…”
The battle of the Bulldogs is set for 7 p.m. ET, airing on ESPN.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
