Kirby Smart evaluates Brent Venables’ tough Oklahoma defense: ‘They are violent’
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The Georgia Bulldogs have met very little resistance through three games of the 2026 season. From quarters 1 through 3 of their contests, Kirby Smart‘s team has outscored its opponents 143-12. Despite this, the Bulldogs’ head coach thinks the Oklahoma Sooners could present some challenges.
On Monday, Smart talked up Brent Venables‘ defense while discussing Georgia’s Week 4 foe.
“[Oklahoma’s defense] is fundamentally sound, aggressive, and attacking. They are one of the top in the country every year in tackles for loss and sacks,” Smart said. “I don’t think people give their coaches and their kids enough credit… they play with unbelievable pad level and an intensity that’s kind of unmatched in terms of the way they play.”
“They are violent, they play hard. They play with a purpose [and] are very intelligent,” Smart continued. “They know what you’re doing as well as you know what you’re doing. They do a great job of… understanding what your tendencies are. They play really hard… they don’t stay blocked.”
Smart noted Venables’ strong defenses date back to the Oklahoma coach’s time at Clemson, where he won two national championships as the Tigers’ defensive coordinator. The Sooners and Bulldogs face off on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. E.T. (ESPN).
