When a reporter mentioned Georgia returning 21 starters in a question to Kirby Smart, the Bulldogs coach questioned the stat. He referenced three senior offensive linemen, saying that means UGA cannot be returning 21 starters and further stated he hasn’t named starters for 2017, stopping short of calling the reporter “fake news.”

It was the second part of his answer, however, that got the attention of Twitter and the blogosphere. The reporter’s question apparently reminded Smart of a rival coach’s words.

“We had one coach that told us we had better talent,” Smart said. “Then he had six guys taken in the first four rounds and we had one player drafted.”

Without using his name Smart was referencing Tennessee coach Butch Jones. SB Nation blog Rocky Top Talk jumped on the quote and called it a jab at Jones.

CBS Sports’ Barrett Sallee also thought Smart delivered strong comments toward Jones.

“You said our team was more talented, but you had more players drafted,” doesn’t really compare to a Steve Spurrier zinger, but SEC Media Days could certainly use some excitement. Perhaps Smart gets as tired of hearing coachspeak as fans and media members.