Kirby Smart details what makes 2023 Georgia team different

Although they’ve maintained the program’s win streak to the point of 26 games, it’s clear that this year’s edition of Georgia is a bit of a contrast from the previous two. However, different definitely doesn’t mean worse and, in one sense, Kirby Smart actually gave them credit for dealing with something that few, if any, of his others squads had to handle.

Smart detailed what makes these ‘Dawgs different during an appearance on ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ on Friday. To him, this year’s roster has been unlike the last few because of how they’ve had to manage injuries and teammates being out of the lineup. While that has been a problem to deal with, it has also made their depth stronger as they’ve had to be more flexible.

“This team has been the most different. I felt like last year’s and the year before has had similarities. This one has been off the radar, completely different,” Smart said. “We’ve had more injuries than we’ve ever had. We’ve lost two O-Linemen that were starters, lost several defensive players that have been starters.”

“It has been a weird dynamic, said Smart. “It has almost been a real resilient, ‘next man up’ kind of attitude.”

In Smart’s opinion, their season has also been distinct when it comes to their schedule. Regardless of what test came their way or how short handed they were, he noted how this version of Georgia has always managed to come up with a way to pull out the next victory of the streak.

“The schedule’s been different and I think, for our guys, different has been good,” said Smart. “They found a way in every game and every game has been it’s own little history.”

It hasn’t made much of a difference since, in the end, the 2023 Bulldogs have won at the same pace as the ones in ’21 and ’22. Still, the deviation has made them unique in their own way as they and Smart push for a potential third straight title.

Smart on Georgia’s motivation: ‘It’s like everybody’s doubting us’

It’s hard to find anything wrong with a program that has won 26 straight games. However, Kirby Smart will take any and all doubt in whatever form that it comes in in order to drive Georgia.

Smart addressed the doubt of his team, specifically in reference to the rankings for the College Football Playoff, during an appearance on ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ in Athens on Friday. While being No. 2 in the nation is a position that just about anyone would take, he still sees that many are questioning his ‘Dawgs, especially with them being without their best player over the past few weeks.

“I haven’t had to use (the College Football Playoff rankings). We’ve had other motivation,” said Smart. “I mean we’ve had plenty of people doubting us each game we go into. We’ve had a star player that’s been out for awhile in Brock (Bowers). So it’s like everybody’s doubting us and giving us motivation through that.”

Like almost all coaches, though, Smart said he couldn’t care less about the current rankings. He added that his players feel the same way about the rating from the selection committee. To everyone in their building, the sole focus is on, come the end of the season, being in the four-team field. From there, it’ll be up to them to handle their business and reposition the contenders themselves with how they play.

“The playoff rankings literally have not come across my desk. I don’t care, I really don’t think our team cares,” Smart said. “They just want to get in the four. That’s the goal, right? So it’s not about where you put us or what you say about us. We’ve got to go out and do it on the field.”