Georgia Bulldogs Defense Will Be Worse, But How Much Worse?

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ATLANTA - Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Nolan Smith is not concerned about the Dawgs’ defense. 

UGA coach Kirby Smart, has always rolled out elite defenses, but if Georgia’s defense was unstoppable in 2021 what happens now? Things have to get worse… right? Kirby said at SEC Media Days his program does not have a lack of talent on defense. But he acknowledges a lack of experience with several players who have not played much or at all.

Experienced or not, Smart says his expectation for the defense remains the same - to be “fast and physical.” The seventh-year head coach added that this team has players eager to make a name for themselves.  

“In order to be complacent, you have to achieve something. The men on this team for this season have not done that,” Smart said. “We have some returning players, but they're hungry as ever.”

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 “I can't tell you how many times I've gone to recruit a kid, and they said: “Well, they told us y'all weren't going to be good on defense this year - you are losing to everybody,” Kirby said. “They said that last year; two years ago.” 

Smith said the Dawgs’ defense will have to be like the so-called “older brother” of the team because expectations are highest for that side of the ball. He added that last year’s defense has nothing to do with this fall. 

“That’s last year - behind us is our ego,” says Nolan Smith. “There are plenty of guys like Zion Logue and Juman Duman-Johnson who haven’t gotten their opportunity yet.”

When it comes to how Georgia runs their defense, Smith described Georgia’s it as “complicated, but fun.” 

Georgia’s season opener against Oregon will be the first test of the season on September 3. According to FanDuel, the Bulldogs have +160 odds to win the SEC Championship this fall.