Kirby Smart And Georgia knowledge Alabama could have the Bulldogs’ number at times, including in last year’s SEC Championship Game.

But Smart and this year’s team are focused on the present, that’s all. Yes, it’s #2 vs. #4, but you have to take it week by week.

That’s why Smart didn’t want to focus on last year’s game.

“We didn’t make it past them,” Smart continued College game day. “We can’t get Alabama to beat us in this game. There are things we did that we didn’t play well and they did. They have surpassed us. They gave us a physical exam. They really won the line of scrimmage. And that’s exactly what you do at the SEC. If you can win the line of scrimmage, you have a great chance. So the game is last year.

“I told the guys that the game was last year and a lot of people on our sideline and on their sideline are different. So it’s a new game, but it’s an incredible program, an incredible atmosphere for both teams.”

With a victory, Georgia will once again be presented to the entire country. Not that Smart has to prove himself or his Bulldogs’ program, but it will put them back on top of Alabama for now.

“I mean, this is a prime example of recruiting kids from all over California and the country to want to compete in meets like this,” Smart said. “So that’s the most important thing. The biggest difference is that it is a regular season game. There’s a lot at stake as to who will be on top and who will try to secure one of those playoff spots. But in the SEC we got a lot of games after this one, that’s what they do and we do.”

What will determine the game? Well, Smart kept it simple.

“Players make plays in critical moments,” Smart said. “You know, turnovers are always possible, that’s history, but at the end of the day the teams are explosive, and they were very explosive, and defensively we did good things. “It’s my job to stop those explosives.

“But what matters in the game is how you react to the dynamic fluctuations in the game. The crowds make it a little more difficult on the road, but whoever responds well to adversity will have a big impact on who wins.”