Kirby Smart: Georgia has things to 'clean up' before facing TCU

Georgia fans can breathe, as Kirby Smart was able to hold on against Ohio State in the Peach Bowl. TCU will be the opponent in the College Football Playoff national championship game, with kickoff just over a week away. While some will want to get right back into the action, Smart wants to take a pause.

When speaking on the podium with Rece Davis postgame, Smart admitted Georgia still have a few things to clean up. Yes, a win is a win, but allowing 41 points to Ohio State is not something the head coach is going to be happy with. Even the offense sputtered at times before coming alive in the clutch.

“Well, after watching that performance, we got a lot to clean up,” Smart said. “We got a lot to clean up tomorrow.”

Smart was not 100% critical though, praising how his team fought through everything. Winning a CFP semifinal game is never an easy task, even for a dominant program such as Georgia. Especially against a program such as Ohio State.

“I’m so proud of these guys,” Smart said. “They never say quit. They never say die. They were like a sniper tonight. They came out shooting and they never quit shooting.”

Now, Georgia will be looking to win another national championship and its second under Smart. TCU will be the only thing in their way, hoping to win the Big 12’s first title since Texas back during the classic 2005 season.

Kirby Smart calls out Georgia, Stetson Bennett after Peach Bowl win

Following a 42-41 win over Ohio State in the Peach Bowl — one where Georgia survived a last-second game-winning field goal attempt that was missed — Smart lamented some of the sloppy, subpar play from his team and quarterback Stetson Bennett. It was not quite the picture of a man who just won a College Football Playoff semifinal.

Speaking with ESPN sideline reporter Laura Rutledge after the game, Smart said Bennett had gotten outside of the system and was hamstringing the Georgia offense at times. If they want to beat TCU and win the National Championship Game, Smart said Bennett will need to play a lot better, despite a game-winning drive capped off with a touchdown pass with less than a minute to play.

“Well, he showed great competitive character. But he’s got to play within our system. He’s got to do what he’s supposed to do, or you can’t win games. He didn’t get that opportunity until the defense stopped them. And we were fortunate to stop them a couple times,” Smart said. “He must play better if we expect to win the next one.”