Georgia faces Mississippi State in SEC showdown on Saturday
- Coach Kirby Smart is focused on his team's preparation rather than external motivations from recent upsets in college football.
- Malaki Starks warns against underestimating Mississippi State, who are coming off a bye week and have shown improvement.
- Smart calls for better crowd engagement and emphasizes the need for his team to play confidently and execute well.
In Athens, Georgia, Coach Kirby Smart is preparing his No. 5 ranked team for an SEC matchup against Mississippi State. He emphasized that the recent upsets among top-ranked teams will not serve as motivation for his players, stating that their focus should be on their own preparation and execution. Defensive back Malaki Starks highlighted the importance of not underestimating their opponents, who are coming off a bye week and have shown improvement in their recent games. Smart also called for increased crowd engagement, expressing disappointment in the fan atmosphere during their last home game against Auburn. He believes that the team should play with confidence and execute effectively as they aim to build momentum in the season. The game presents a significant challenge, especially for Mississippi State's young quarterback, who will need to perform at a high level to compete against Georgia's strong defense.