Brian Kelly addresses challenges Georgia's defense provides

No. 1 Georgia will head into the SEC Championship game this weekend against No. 14 LSU boasting the No. 4-rated defense in the country. Kirby Smart’s defensive unit has one of the lowest yards per play rate (4.49 yards) this season, among other impressive statistics – and those facts aren’t lost on Tigers headman Brian Kelly.

“First of all, the scheme is outstanding. They mix it up, three down and four down. They do a really good job when they get you into third down, they’re going to give you a variety of looks. But obviously [Robert] Beal and [Jalen] Carter, outstanding D-linemen,” Kelly said. “I think [Jamon] Dumas-Johnson is a Butkus Award finalist, an outstanding player. The back end is young and athletic, really good ball skills.

“Coach Smart obviously has his hand on everything that happens in this program, but in particular on defense. You can see that. I’m familiar with their defensive structure having gone against them a few times. They continue to get better each and every week.”

At first glance, Georgia’s defensive numbers aren’t all that impressive on paper – but that can be chalked up to the immense depth the Bulldogs have on the defensive side of the ball. Regularly rotating over 20 players, the numbers are spread out and no one rises above the other statistically. Still, they’re playing some of the best team defense in the country up to this point.

Still, whatever happens Saturday in Atlanta, that can’t take away the incredible season Kelly has had in his first regular season as LSU head coach. Stringing together nine wins, a victory over Alabama and now a trip to Atlanta to compete for the SEC title — a position no one predicted the Tigers to end up in, especially after the season-opening loss to Florida State.

Kickoff between the Tigers and Bulldogs is set for 4 p.m. ET from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta live on CBS.