Smart wants Georgia to be more explosive, 'bigger' in CFP
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart is targeting two key areas for the Bulldogs ahead of the upcoming season: offensive explosiveness and performance under pressure during the College Football Playoff. Despite consecutive SEC titles and a seven-year streak of finishing in the Top 10, Georgia has faced disappointment in recent postseason outings, including back-to-back losses in the CFP quarterfinals against Notre Dame and Ole Miss.
Smart noted that while Georgia maintains a reputation for being hard to kill through physical toughness, the offense must evolve to generate more big plays. Last year, the Bulldogs recorded only two plays of 50 yards or more, ranking near the bottom of the FBS. With redshirt senior quarterback Gunner Stockton returning, the team is focusing on detailed execution to increase their efficiency and vertical threat capabilities. Center Drew Bobo confirmed that the squad is prioritizing explosiveness as a primary mission for the current offseason.
Beyond individual play-calling, Smart expressed frustration regarding the current playoff schedule structure. He pointed to the long layoff between the SEC championship game and the first round of the playoffs as a factor that breaks the momentum of the season. He argued that top-tier college football programs are not accustomed to resting for nearly a month between competitive games, which can impact performance when the stakes are at their highest.
As Georgia aims to become the first SEC program in a decade to win three straight conference titles, the internal focus remains on maintaining their defensive identity while diversifying their offensive output. The team returns 72 percent of its defensive production, providing a stable foundation to support the shift in offensive strategy. For players like Stockton, the objective is clear: improve the efficiency of every snap and deliver when it matters most in the postseason.