ATHENS - Georgia’s focus on Monday sounded like a team trying to sharpen every edge before a major test.
Drew Bobo and Ellis Robinson IV both spoke with the kind of steady confidence that suggested the Bulldogs have already turned the page and are locked in on what comes next.
Robinson, especially, looked comfortable answering questions about the move to Mercedes-Benz Stadium for Saturday’s 3:30 p.m. Georgia-Florida game.
“I’ve played in Mercedes-Benz Stadium two or three times now, so I’d say I’m comfortable playing in it,” Robinson said. “To me, it’s the same field.”
Georgia’s opponent, though, brings a different kind of challenge. The Bulldogs have spent plenty of time studying Florida tailback Jadan Baugh, whose 13 touchdowns are tied for the most among all tailbacks in the nation.
“We definitely study the backs a lot here,” Robinson said, confirming Kirby Smart has had the Bulldogs’ study Baugh’s tape throughout the season.
“I could say about him he’s a very good back, he’ll come downhill, he’ll run you over, run through your face, so it’s making sure we’re there and ready to tackle.”
That last part matters, because Smart has been open about Georgia’s tackling needing work. Robinson made it clear the message has been received.
“It’s very important when it comes to tackllig, getting the person on the ground,” Robinson said. “Throughout the bye week we’ve been working on it day-in and day-out, so I’m very confident with it.”
Bobo, meanwhile, acknowledged that the Auburn loss may still be hanging around a little, even if the Bulldogs normally lean on the “24-hour rule” to move on quickly.
“There’s a little bit of that, but we kind of try to put the game to bed on Sunday and Monday,” Bobo said. “But I think the way we practiced last week, we really got after it, that’s always what we try to do here preparation-wise, (but) it could still be a little bit in the back of guys’ minds.”
What stood out from Bobo was the matter-of-fact way he described the bye week approach: keep the attention on the work, trust the staff and handle the details.
“You focus on yourself an how you can better and trust the coaches’ plan,” Bobo said, “because they have a good plan for us whether it’s recovery on a recovery day, or having a good practice on a practice day.”
Smart kept his own message short and direct. The emphasis, he said, is on improvement.
“I want to see us improve,” Smart said. “Regardless of the outcome … it’s the process we try to focus on, which is what can we do better?”
In Other News...
Georgia Backfield Just Got An Encouraging Chauncey Bowens Update
Georgias backfield has been waiting on Chauncey Bowens, and there is at least some encouraging movement after a two-game absence. The running back has been dealing with an injury described as being between the toes, and his return to practice this week offered a sign that the recovery is heading in the right direction. He has been working through agility drills, which is a step forward for a group that has had to keep adjusting without him.
Bowens still is not cleared for full contact or game action, so the Florida matchup appears to come too soon. Even so, the fact that he is back on the field at all gives Georgia reason to think he may factor in later this season, depending on how the injury responds over the next stretch. For a team trying to manage depth in the backfield, that kind of progress matters, even if the finish line is still a little ways off. [Read more 🡒]
Georgias Auburn Loss Exposed A Problem Kirby Smart Cant Ignore
Georgias home loss to an unranked opponent was the kind of setback that can linger well beyond one Saturday in Athens, especially when the details point to self-inflicted damage. Costly penalties and turnovers helped drag the Bulldogs into an avoidable defeat, and even with some bright individual performances, the overall picture was hard to miss for Kirby Smart and his staff.
Freshman receiver Craig Dandridge gave the offense a spark with a team-high 88 receiving yards, while linebacker Raylen Wilson turned in a busy day with 10 solo tackles and a sack. Still, the most jarring number belonged to Auburns Byrum Brown, whose 115 rushing yards topped Georgias entire ground game, a mismatch that underscored a problem the Bulldogs cant afford to shrug off as the season moves on. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Fans Are Suddenly Eyeing Sanford Stadium For A Huge Reveal
Georgia fans have spent the day trying to decode a simple butterfly image posted by the athletic departments official social media accounts, and the lack of explanation only added to the buzz. In Athens, even a vague tease can turn into a full-blown guessing game, especially when it appears tied to Sanford Stadium and the kind of announcement that could bring a different crowd to campus for a big fall reveal.
One theory making the rounds points to a concert by Grammy-nominated artist Noah Kahan, with the butterfly imagery echoing what is on his tour website and a countdown timer adding to the speculation. Nothing has been confirmed yet, but the clock is clearly ticking, and Georgia fans will not have to wait long to find out whether the tease is about football, music, or something else entirely. [Read more 🡒]