Kirby Smart comments on playing non-conference opponents before Middle Tennessee matchup
ALYSSA ALVES
Sep 10, 2018
ATHENS, GA — The Georgia Bulldogs return home this weekend, taking on non-conference opponent Middle Tennessee State University at 7 p.m. * Saturday.
While this weekend’s game is not a ranked matchup, Georgia Bulldogs Head Coach Kirby Smart asserted that the team prepares for any opponent the same.
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“I have a lot of respect for these [non-conference] programs; I’ve got a lot of respect for the student athletes that play at these programs. I think that games like these a lot of times are opportunities for their programs to survive and stay alive,” commented Smart in his press conference Monday.
Scheduling smaller, non-conference opponents at home is considered a win-win for both teams. Typically, these games allow the hosting team to improve their record early on in the season. Playing these opponents at home comes with a price.
The Middle Tennessee University game in Sanford Stadium cost UGA $1.7 million. Coach Smart said he has mixed emotions about playing non-conference teams, but that some programs depend on these games for financial reasons.
“I think it’s good for the fan base to have the better games or the home-and-homes — I think those things are good for college football,” Smart said. “You have to look at it through two people’s perspectives. And sometimes these programs wouldn’t survive [financially].”
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The Georgia Bulldogs are heading into week three 2-0 and are ranked No. 3 in the nation coming off of an impressive SEC East road win against South Carolina. The Bulldogs traveled to Williams-Brice Stadium last weekend and dominated with a blowout 42-17 victory.
Quarterback Jake Fromm threw for 197 yards and had one touchdown. Georgia’s run-first offense shined as running backs Elijah Holyfield, D’Andre Swift and Brian Herrian each made significant impact.
The Georgia defense looked solid. Cornerback D’Andre Baker intercepted the ball in the opening minute of the game, dropping it just one yard short of the goal line. The defense held South Carolina to only 54 rushing yards.
** The Georgia Bulldogs v. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders game time changed to 12 p.m. ET due to weather concerns.