The college football playoffs bring a lot of emotions, but with fast turnaround between games, it’s important to keep those emotions from affecting the game.
Kirby Smart attended ESPN’s College GameDay on Monday to analyze how the Bulldogs would react after their emotional victory over Ohio State University on Saturday.
Smart said the motivation to win the national championship is the driving force behind the team’s preparations for next week.
“Get the ring,” Smart said. “That’s the motivation. We have to get over it quickly and move on to the next stage. You have time, but you’re used to 28 days and now you’re down to 7-8 days, so you’ll recover quickly.
The Bulldogs have a week to catch their breath after winning the Peach Bowl after missing a field goal for Ohio on Saturday.
Another factor in the game is injuries. The team has been hit hard all season and in Saturday’s game, but Smart thinks most of his men are good to go on Saturday.
“We expect almost everyone to come back,” Smart said. “That’s the hope. We had a few guys, but Chaz Chambliss had a hyperextended knee. Some stopped there for a bit, but twos and threes in a few spots. Some guys stepped up and played, but that’s something we’ll have to ask at the end of the year.”
