Kirby Smart reveals message to Georgia team, keys to defeating LSU in SEC Championship
Kirby Smart knows his Georgia team has a tough task at hand against LSU in Saturday’s SEC Championship. The Tigers have a dual-threat quarterback that creates headaches for opposing defenses and a pass-rush headlined by one of the top young defenders in college football.
Add in the fact that no one on the Bulldogs roster has won an SEC title, and it could make for an interesting dynamic in Atlanta. However, Smart said his message is clear to his players ahead of the game.
“It’s to play our best game,” Smart told SEC Network’s Alyssa Lang. “We’re trying to … get better throughout the year. This team really has nothing to do with those teams. It only has to do with this year. We’re trying to be at our best when our best is needed, which is when you play the West champion.”
Jayden Daniels has emerged as a key component of LSU’s offense in his first year with the program after transferring from Arizona State. He has thrown for 2,566 yards and 15 touchdowns in the air while also adding 824 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground.
Stopping him is going to be one of the biggest keys to a Georgia victory, and Smart knows what the Bulldogs have to do to have a chance against him.
“You’ve got to make him play from the pocket,” Smart said. “He gets loose, he’s very explosive, he’s got an unbelievable group of wide receivers, he’s got great arm talent. You’ve got to affect him, because if he’s in rhythm, he’s dangerous.”
Then, on the other side of the ball, Harold Perkins is an essential piece of the LSU pass rush as a true freshman and has burst onto the scene this season. That could have an impact on Stetson Bennett’s performance at quarterback, and Smart said the run game will be a big part of stopping the pass rush.
“You’ve got to not let them pass rush,” Smart said. “You’ve got to run the ball, you’ve got to slow them down. We’ve got to be able to control the line of scrimmage because they are excellent when it comes to loose plays.”