Kirby Smart says SEC defensive lines are smaller than they used to be
By Mark Kern
Published:
Kirby Smart and Georgia bounced back from the loss last week to Alabama, as the Bulldogs took care of business against Kentucky, 35-14. The Bulldogs were able to control the line of scrimmage, as they rushed the ball 44 times for 180 yards and 4 touchdowns.
On defense, the Bulldogs held the Wildcats to only 45 yards on 22 carries. For the Bulldogs, they take pride in being the more physical team, and eventually wearing their opponents down as the game gets into the second half.
After the game, Smart was asked about being able to control the line of scrimmage, and he gave an answer that may surprise many across the country.
“We have a depth in our defensive line. We have some size,” Smart said. “And I’m starting to look across our league and I’m like, OK, we play this team, we play this team, we play this team, and I’m like, ‘Man, I feel like the defensive lines, there’s just less big bodies than there used to be in our league.’
“Maybe they’re spread out more. The SEC was known for super big, physical defensive lines and we’re all a work in progress now.”
For years, the conference was known as a physical running conference, but Smart believes there has been a switch in the conference over the last couple of seasons. That trend isn’t just in the SEC, but in college football as a whole, as there are more and more spread offenses.
The fact that Smart believes his defensive line is bigger than most should be a huge advantage for the Bulldogs moving forward. Georgia will be in action next weekend in the annual rivalry game with Auburn.
