Kirby Smart criticizes placement of rivalry game vs Florida

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart spoke on Tuesday about the Bulldogs’ upcoming rivalry game with Florida and being upset at the way it is held. Smart continued to be critical of their rivalry game being held at a neutral site in Jacksonville every year because it means less recruiting chances for Georgia.

Kirby Smart on Florida rivalry game

Georgia and Florida have played their rivalry game every year at Jacksonville as a neutral site rivalry since 1933. Despite being held in Florida, the location is a good distance away from Gainesville and tickets to the game are divided evenly to preserve the neutral atmosphere.

Smart however, has a different stance on the game’s history and feels that it unfairly punishes Georgia compared to the rest of the nation when it comes to recruiting. Because it’s not held alternating years at Georgia’s home field, it means there is one less major recruiting visit opportunity, an issue other teams do not have with their biggest games.

“I haven’t even thought about it — to be honest with you,” Smart commented on the location of Georgia’s upcoming game with Florida. “I don’t concern myself with things that I don’t control. All I will ever say is that the home atmosphere we have is incredible and the ability to bring recruits in is big. And if I knew every year we would have home games like we’ve had this year it probably would be less of an issue.

“But it’s an issue when you don’t have what might be your biggest rival, and you don’t have an opportunity to bring official visits in and recruits in every other year. Because you wouldn’t have it every year anyways.

“It certainly is valuable in the time when kids are deciding an early signing date [in] December and they’re enrolling in January. Those are the most critical weekends you can have to get kids on campus. So I stand by the fact that we miss out on one of those opportunities every other year and everybody else in the country doesn’t.”

Smart was asked a follow up question about recruiting, asking if Georgia was able to get tickets for recruits to go if they wanted to. Smart’s answer was short and highlighted his frustration with the neutral site game.

“It’s complicated.”

Why it’s played in Jacksonville

Florida historian Norm Carlson explained the history of the rivalry, explaining that the game is played in Jacksonville due to trains and team travel. In 1933, Jacksonville was the easiest central location that both Georgia and Florida could reach by train, leading to its choice as their game site.

The game sold out all of the tickets available that first year and has been the site ever since. Even as rivalry games across the country struggled to maintain attendance through the Great Depression, Georgia and Florida still drew large crowds.