Why Kirby Smart remains optimistic about Georgia

Kirby Smart isn’t sounding the alarm on his Georgia team just yet.

The Bulldogs suffered their first loss of the season over the weekend to Alabama. But Smart found plenty of reasons to be positive despite the setback.

“I know more about my team right now than I did a week ago. I can guarantee you that,” Smart said. “That’s what fires me up. I’ve got a lot of optimism after that game, because I learned a hell of a lot more about my team than I had the previous weeks.”

What did Smart learn about his squad?

For starters, he learned his offense can run the ball effectively against top competition. Georgia ran for 227 yards and averaged nearly seven yards per carry.

That came behind an offensive line that featured two true freshmen – Dontrell Glover and Juan Gaston – and another inexperienced player in Bo Hughley.

“Growing up. You know, they all three have not played much. They’re all three improving,” Smart said. “That’s why I’m pleased and promised by, like, okay, went into the game not knowing about the right tackle position, came out of the game going, both guys, I mean, they did some good things. So I’m pleased with where it’s headed if they continue to get better.”

Georgia also stopped the run effectively, limiting Alabama to 117 yards and 3.1 yards per carry. That has been an emphasis dating back to the offseason.

Defensive lineman Jordan Hall is one of the leaders of a defensive line that has stepped up in defending the run. Going forward, he feels the Bulldogs are built to handle the adversity they’re facing.

“I feel like we can take a punch…”

“I feel like we can take a punch and give a punch back,” Hall said. “That’s something that we pride ourselves on. We’ve got to continue to do that day in and day out. But I feel like it’s the way we practice and the way we’re coached. And our standard here, our standard is to never give up, you know what I’m saying? Till the game is over. 60 minutes or however long it takes is what we say.”

Smart also feels his team can handle the loss well. Just last year, the Bulldogs suffered their initial loss to Alabama and then went on to win the SEC.

This is a different team, a younger squad that just suffered a deflating loss at home. But Smart remains optimistic that this year’s Bulldogs can still reach their goals.

“I think what’s applicable is that college football teams are going to have parity,” Smart said. “Teams are going to play. So what’s going to separate teams is how they either fracture or don’t fracture or how their infrastructure is built to sustain losses. We’re built for this. Like, we have infrastructure. We have plans. We know the pathway. So, you know, I’m excited to see where this team goes.”