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Kirby Smart previews Georgia matchup versus Vanderbilt

by:Jack Mathison•10/13/22
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Michael Wade | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Kirby Smart and his coaching staff didn’t celebrate a 42-10 victory over Auburn too much. Instead, they turned the page to Vanderbilt almost immediately.

For Georgia fans, it may be easy to overlook Vanderbilt considering the outcome of last year’s game in Nashville. In a 62-0 win where the Commodores were never really able to catch their breath, the Bulldogs cruised on offense, defense, and special teams. While Vanderbilt certainly has a long way to go before contending for the SEC Championship, Smart is impressed with what he’s seen from them so far this year.

“A lot,” Smart said when explaining the difference between Vanderbilt in 2021 and 2022. “We start with the first game of the year. You know, they go out to Hawaii and played in a tough environment. Tough time change. Very mature to handle that and play well. They played last week. I mean, you watch the Ole Miss tape, they came out and attacked and played well. I mean, well-coached. So the expectation is that you’re going to grow and get better. And everybody measures that in different amounts. I’m sure Clark has his way of measuring it just like we have our way of trying to measure improve. But they, probably to me, one of the most improved teams in the league in terms of the way they’re playing right now.”

One of the biggest differences for the Commodores is the emergence of freshman quarterback AJ Swann. On the season, Swann – a native of Georgia who UGA is familiar with from the recruiting process – has completed 69 balls on 110 attempts for 848 yards and eight touchdowns. Smart was asked this week about what he’s seen from Swann so far this year.

“Really throws the ball well. Sneaky athlete. Kid throws back shoulder balls, RPOs. Spins it really good,” Smart said. “You can see why they had confidence in him. Most recent games, he’s stood out and done a tremendous job. I mean, for a freshman, going into the environments he’s played in, he’s played really well.”

Smart has faced off against Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea several times, including during his time as the defensive coordinator at Notre Dame. It’s clear to see that Smart has a lot of respect for Lea, who is in his second season as the Vanderbilt head coach, and what he’s been able to do on the defensive side of the ball.

“Really, more studying scheme,” Smart said on how he plans to prepare for Lea. “They did a tremendous job at Notre Dame. If you remember, played Notre Dame those years and his defenses had elite tackling, really physical, disguised things really well. And he was the architect of that. And those are things we copied in the offseasons.”

Following Georgia’s game this weekend, the Bulldogs will be on their only bye week for 2022, which raised some questions about how the coaching staff is preparing for that. When Smart was asked, he emphasized the threat that the Commodores pose, and that they will not be overlooked.

“I haven’t even thought about the bye week. I’m concerned with Vandy and getting our team better,” Smart said. “To look at the bye week right now would be — you know, would be dishonorable to Vandy. I mean, let’s be honest. This is a good football team. I just told you they’re one of the most improved football teams. And we respect and value that in our organization how their kids will play and how they played last weekend.”

Kickoff time between Georgia and Vanderbilt is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on the SEC Network.

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