Kirby Smart sends final message to Georgia fans ahead of Saturday

For the second time in three weeks, ESPN’s College GameDay is setting up in Athens, Georgia. The decision to return provides No. 1 Georgia a chance to show off its new ranking and impress fans across the country with a top 15 SEC showdown. Preparing for another tough challenge, head coach Kirby Smart called for Georgia fans to help the team anyway possible.

During a Friday appearance on the SEC Network’s Paul Finebaum Show, Smart complimented the Georgia fanbase and called for help against Kentucky.

“It’s awesome,” Kirby Smart said about the second College GameDay broadcast. “It’s what it’s about, right? The fans want to enjoy it, our state deserves it. And you know, we got a lot of great prospects going to be on campus. What better environment to have them in than this, and they enjoy that. Our fans are second to none, what they did that Arkansas game and how they’re going to turn out tomorrow, I think it just brings more energy to the program.”

Georgia delivered in its first College GameDay game of the season, beating No. 8 Arkansas 37-0 without starting quarterback JT Daniels. The formula remains the same against No. 11 Kentucky, dominate on defense and capitalize on offensive chances.

Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS. All eyes will be on this SEC matchup as Georgia looks to cement themselves as the favorite.

Update on JT Daniels

Georgia quarterback JT Daniels has been dealing with a lat injury for multiple weeks now. Daniels has been unable to throw at times, and he has missed three consecutive games now. Georgia head coach Kirby Smart updated Daniels’ status on College GameDay, saying that he will be evaluated during Georgia’s pregame warmups.

“Again, JT is coming off of the lat injury. We’re going to see where he is pregame,” Smart said when asked who would start for Georgia at quarterback. “He was able to practice more this week than he has in the past.”

Daniels has completed 76.1 percent of his passes this season for 567 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions. Stetson Bennett, who has filled in for Daniels, has completed 69.4 percent of his passes for 746 yards, eight touchdowns, and two interceptions.

If Daniels is unable to play again, former starting quarterback Stetson Bennett will take the reins again. He has played well in the USC transfer’s absence, keeping Georgia undefeated at the midway point of the season.