Georgia and Auburn are set for a rematch in the SEC championship this Saturday in Atlanta.
The Tigers destroyed the Bulldogs 40-17 in the previous matchup.
Coach Kirby Smart spoke highly of Auburn prior to that game, and without referencing the loss, echoed the same praise Monday.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for (Auburn coach) Gus (Malzahn) and his team,” he said. “A lot of respect for (defensive coordinator Kevin) Steele and the job he’s done defensively. They’re playing at a high level, maybe the hottest team in college football right now. They have good players on both sides of the ball.”
“A really good specialist (kicker Daniel Carlson) who might be the best in the country. They’re playing at a high level and they’re a good football team. So we’ll take on those challenges this week, prepare our team to play and get our guys ready to go out there and be our best, and our best is certainly needed this week.”
Support real journalism. Support local journalism. Subscribe to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution today. See offers.
Your subscription to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution funds in-depth reporting and investigations that keep you informed. Thank you for supporting real journalism.
Download the new AJC app. More local news, more breaking news and in-depth journalism. AJC.com. Atlanta. News. Now.
Download the new AJC app. More local news, more breaking news and in-depth journalism. AJC.com. Atlanta. News. Now.