Kirby Smart discusses preparing for Vanderbilt, confidence level that game will be played
By Jake Rill
Published:
For one last time, Georgia’s seniors are preparing to take the field at Sanford Stadium on Saturday. The Bulldogs are scheduled to host Vanderbilt for their regular-season finale.
However, it’s 2020, and schedules can change at any time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And although Vanderbilt played this past Saturday against Tennessee, it’s been close to not having enough players available at numerous times throughout the season. That’s why this Commodores-Bulldogs matchup, which was originally scheduled for Dec. 5, was postponed to this Saturday.
During his Monday press conference, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart was asked how confident he is that this Saturday’s game will take place as scheduled.
“We are optimistic that Vandy is going to be able to play. That is not my expertise or my job to know exactly where they are. I am focused on us and where we are,” Smart told the media. “We are optimistic we are going to be able to play. They were able to play last week against Tennessee, and we are looking forward to getting our seniors out there for one last home game. That’s really all we can control. That is all we are focused on is playing them.”
Would Georgia consider scheduling a different opponent if it found out later this week that Vanderbilt couldn’t play?
“I’m focused on Vanderbilt. We’re preparing to play Vanderbilt and we’re very optimistic they’re going to be able to play,” Smart told the media. “As I understand, I think Ole Miss has LSU for a game, unless I’m missing something here. That’s not our thought or focus, and I really haven’t talked to the conference office about that.”
The Bulldogs have won three straight games to improve to 7-2, and they’re likely to play in a top bowl game after the regular season is over.
Georgia and Vanderbilt are set to kick off at noon ET on Saturday on SEC Network.
Jake Rill contributes to news coverage for Saturday Down South. He has covered the SEC since 2016.
