Georgia’s Kirby Smart sees danger ahead in Missouri

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Add in the fact that Georgia (7-1, 4-1) — and the entire Bulldog Nation, really — is coming off the high of Saturday's resounding win over then-No. 6 Florida in Jacksonville, and it makes for a dangerous combination.

“Historically against us, they have done a really good job,” Smart said. “They are top probably 15 in the country in almost every defensive category. Their offense has been very explosive, tied for the most plays over 50 yards in our conference. … And I know coming off an off-week, they will be ready and prepared.”

Actually, the Tigers haven’t done that well against Georgia. They’re 1-7 all-time. But they have tended to be very competitive. And the only victory came in 2013, a year like this one in which Missouri entered as a considerable underdog, which is the case by two-plus touchdowns this year. The Bulldogs have won the last four by an average of 8.2 points.

But Georgia hopes the momentum of a dominant performance against the Gators plus a night kickoff will counteract any potential for a letdown, for them or their fans.

“I love the energy brought by our fans at night games,” junior safety Richard LeCounte said. “I love the LED lights and stuff like that. It makes for a really fun game. It’s also going to be a little chilly this weekend, so I am looking forward to the cooler weather, too.”

UGA’s new multi-million dollar, multi-color stadium lights have taken the Bulldogs’ “light-up Sanford tradition” to new heights.

But Smart is more concerned about the personnel Barry Odom and his staff will be bringing to Athens. The offense — coordinated by Athens native Derek Dooley — is led by dual-threat quarterback Kelly Bryant, a transfer and former quarterback at Clemson. Like Florida’s Kyle Pitts, who gave the Bulldogs fits this past Saturday in Jacksonville, Missouri will feature an NFL-caliber tight end in Albert Okwuegbunam, “Albert O,” as the 6-foot-5, 255-pound junior commonly called.

Meanwhile, the Tigers are second only to Georgia in the SEC in total defense (281.4 ypg) and lead the league against the pass (144.5).

Smart is hyper-focused on making sure that's what has the players' attention this week, not light shows, College Football Playoff rankings or No. 1 LSU-vs-No. 2 Alabama on Saturday.

How does he do that?

“Actions speak louder than your words,” Smart said. “The actions you take toward practice and the actions you take toward preparation are all things that are in our control. I don't think talking about it does it. I think the actions speak louder than your words, and that will be important to our guys.”

The Bulldogs are expecting a tough, physical week of practice, as per usual. They emerged from the Florida game without any new injuries and remain hopeful about getting starting cornerback Tyson Campbell back on the field. The sophomore from Miami warmed up and was ready to go against Florida but didn’t get into the game as D.J. Daniel and Divaad Wilson handled the load.

Leading receiver Lawrence Cager, coming off a career-best 132-yard receiving performance, said he's not feeling any ill effects from his shoulder separation. So the Bulldogs appear to good to go.

As for Saturday, as the Bulldogs’ await their late-evening kickoff, Smart said he won’t be forbidding the team to watch the Alabama-LSU contest. If Georgia takes care of business against Missouri and at least one more SEC opponent, it will likely face one or the other in the SEC Championship on Dec. 7.

“I’m not the TV police,” Smart snapped.