Kirby Smart shares desired mindset for players in SEC Championship

The Georgia Bulldogs are no strangers to championship pedigree. Having played in four of the last five SEC Championship games and winning last season’s College Football Playoff, the stage won’t be too big for Kirby Smart’s team when they hit the field in Mercedes-Benz Stadium tomorrow afternoon to face LSU. With that said, Smart does want his team focused and to come in with the right frame of mind.

Smart shared what he would be looking for in Georgia’s mentality on Saturday earlier this week. He said he wants them to lean on their preparation from this week. Beyond the stakes, Smart hopes they realize this game is no different than any they’ve played up to this point.

“Preparation is the key to any game. This is no different,” said Smart. “Our other SEC games we’ve had in terms of the difference? We’re playing at a neutral site. It’s an opportunity to go out there and play.”

He went on to say that he hopes his players realize the opportunity they have ahead of them. Georgia earned the right to be one of the final two SEC teams standing during this weekend. With all eyes on them, Smart wants to see their execution, specifically in the high-pressure moments, being run at a championship level.

“Nobody else is playing in our conference but us…Our peers get to watch this game, one of the most watched games of any football season,” Smart said. “We talked long and hard about being at our best as needed. Those critical situations in games that decide games? They’ll decide this game no different.”

Of those four recent appearances for Georgia in Atlanta, the Bulldogs have only come away with one win in 2017. That means Smart is well aware of what will and what won’t work for his team in their biggest moment of the season. He’ll need their minds at their best and, if so, they’ll be hoisting their second SEC crown under Smart before they heading into the College Football Playoff to defend their title.