Georgia is absolutely lighting up the scoreboard, leading the nation with an insane 59.3 points per game, but head coach Kirby Smart isn’t just “not satisfied,” he’s straight-up upset. After watching his No. 2 Bulldogs hang 45 points on Arkansas, the guy rejected the word “blowout” to describe the 45-17 victory because his backup unit gave up two late touchdowns. This is the second week in a row his reserves have allowed late scores, and it’s clearly gotten under his skin.
Video Game Numbers Aren’t Good Enough for Kirby Smart
Smart’s post-game take after dropping 45 on Arkansas was wild. When asked what he learned from three straight “blowouts,” he shot back, “I don’t know that I would call it a blowout. I mean, y’all might say that, but I don’t look at SEC games that way.” He even claimed he couldn’t tell you the score, which, for the record, was 45-17. This guy is laser-focused on perfection. Georgia has been playing like a squad from a video game, outscoring their first three opponents by a staggering 178-40 margin and holding that nation-leading scoring average. Quarterback Gunner Stockton has been lights out, too, with more touchdown passes (9) than incompletions (7), and his 84.4% completion rate is second-best in the country. But none of that matters to Smart when the execution isn’t flawless.
Oklahoma’s Defense Is The Real Test, And Smart Knows It
After three weeks of what most of us would call laughers, the Bulldogs are staring down their toughest challenge yet: an Oklahoma team with a defense that’s legit. Smart practically predicted it, saying “Humility is a week away. Next week, humble pie somewhere.” Oklahoma isn’t just good; they’re tied for fourth nationally, allowing a measly 7.7 points per game, and rank third in passing yards allowed at 104.3. No opponent has scored more than 17 points on Brent Venables’ crew all season. Georgia might be a two-touchdown favorite, but this is the first time all year they’ll face a defense capable of turning Smart’s warnings into serious problems. He spent 20 minutes after the Arkansas game listing flaws: two true freshmen on the offensive line, Stockton’s first sacks, a terrible decision on first-and-goal at the 2-yard line, and, of course, those defensive reserves. His sharpest critique? “Tells me we can’t play them. I mean, it’s the only bottom line. I’m not gonna let it ruin my day like I did last time.”
This week, Georgia has a real reason to worry. Can Smart’s untouchable Bulldogs maintain their video game pace against a defense built to stop it? Get ready, because Saturday’s showdown against Oklahoma is gonna be a barn burner, and we’ll see if Smart’s defensive depth can step up when it truly counts.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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