Christopher Smith reveals how Georgia needs to improve for their College Football Playoff matchup

Top-ranked Georgia surely looked the part this weekend as they defeated LSU 50-30 in the SEC Championship. The Bulldogs now focus their attention on repeating in this year’s National Championship, which starts with their semifinal matchup versus No. 4 Ohio State on December 31. There will be plenty of time until Georgia takes the field again, and defensive back Christopher Smith spoke on how they’ll spend it.

“We basically just went over that, and we feel like it’s not the best team that wins the championship — it’s how we handle these next 27 days who has the best shot at winning the championship,” Smith said. “So you know, we just wanna handle these next 27 days as best as possible.”

The Bulldogs know a thing or two about what it takes to win the National Championship, fresh of off their title win last season, as they’ll enter their third College Football Playoff appearance under head coach Kirby Smart. They may have looked dominant in their last performance, but Smith believes they still have some areas of improvement.

“We’ve got a lot to work on, and these next 27 days are gonna help us out a lot. We’re just gonna put our head down and work so we can be ready when the time comes again,” Smith said.

Georgia will be facing a one-loss Ohio State team that they’re not taking lightly, as they won eleven straight games before falling to Michigan in their season finale. The Buckeyes boast one of the nation’s top offenses led by quarterback CJ Stroud, and will be looking to capitalize on their fifth appearance in the College Football Playoffs.

“We know they’re a great team. And they got a lot of great players as well, so we’re gonna have to do a lot to be able to get prepared for them,” Smith concluded.

Kirby Smart, Chris Smith break down blocked field goal return

Georgia‘s 50-30 SEC Championship win over LSU was full of highlight plays for the Bulldogs, but none were more compelling than defensive back Christopher Smith‘s to start off the ballgame. Georgia blocked a field goal attempt by Tiger’s kicker Damian Ramos, which rolled to Bulldog’s four-yard line as players from both teams began to head towards their sidelines.

Smith made a heads-up play though, waiting patiently for the right time to scoop up the ball and take it 96 yards for the opening touchdown of the game. Smart and head coach Kirby Smart spoke about the play following the game, a moment created from preparation.

“I’ll let Chris answer, but Chris knows we watch those in the team meeting about once every three weeks and I’ll let him talk about it,” Smart said.

There is no shortage of rules in the game of football, and knowing as many as possible certainly pays off in unique situations like the one Smith found himself in on Saturday, as he told his side of the story of his high IQ play in the championship game.

“Yeah like coach said, that’s a scenario we go over a lot,” Smith said. “We know if the ball passes the line of scrimmage we have an opportunity to be able to pick it up and I was just waiting to get the go from the sideline. As soon as the sideline gave me the go, I just picked it up and started hitting it.”

Smith hit it all the way to the end zone, starting off the Bulldog’s dominant day with a bang and not breaking Smart’s one rule if you do decide to scoop up a blocked field goal that falls beyond the line of scrimmage.

“The rule is you’re not allowed to pick it up unless you score with it,” Smart added.