Kirby Smart - App State mention on ESPN

[satelliteapp]

"It's a hell of a lot better when that first game is Clemson, North Carolina or Wisconsin than it is when it's App State or Western Michigan or somebody," Smart said.

Thanks Coach...See you next September.

http://espn.go.com/college-football/sto ... st-weekend

[wilsonappman]

I'm the biggest App State homer there is but I don't have a problem with what he's saying. If I was a UGA alum I would probably feel the same way. I try hard not to get offended every time someone mentions us in a derogatory manner. Let's just go prove them wrong and then they'll name drop other schools in their preseason comparisons!! #GoApps

[ashugh]

Exactly. We get smoked every year we play a P5 since 07. Let it be until we earn otherwise. Long since time to put Michigan to bed and start losing closer games and then win close.

[SpeedkingATL]

Bulletin board material for next season.

[NewApp]

Exactly. We get smoked every year we play a P5 since 07. Let it be until we earn otherwise. Long since time to put Michigan to bed and start losing closer games and then win close.

I don't consider our loss to Clemson as being smoked. Clemson was a few points away from being the National Champion.

[appbio91]

Exactly. We get smoked every year we play a P5 since 07. Let it be until we earn otherwise. Long since time to put Michigan to bed and start losing closer games and then win close.

I don't consider our loss to Clemson as being smoked. Clemson was a few points away from being the National Champion.

I am proud to say we hung with their best for a qtr and their back-ups for 1.5 qtrs. But yes they smoked us for the other 1.5 qtrs.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

[AppinVA]

They smoked us, but we were just one in a long line.

[AtlAppMan]

If you change the name from Clemson to GS, ArkSt, ULL, etc with same results score wise and overall performance wise then we would definitely say we got smoked. So why would we not admit it for Clemson?

[Gonzo]

Exactly. We get smoked every year we play a P5 since 07.

We had two close loses to ECU since 07. Otherwise, you're right. But we have been getting really unlucky, including this year, by coincidentally landing on these P5 schedules during their best season in ten years in either direction.

[WVAppsfan]

He has never coached a down as the HC, come the Florida game he probably won't say anything like that. And BTW Coach " Smart" You play Nicholls State Colonels the second game of the season and our team plays an entire slate of FBS schools this fall. Furthermore there is a wonderful Dog House on the sidelines in Athens that has AC, looks like you are going to get used to accommodations there when you don't appease the faithful between the Hedges.

[Rekdiver]

They smoked us, but we were just one in a long line.

The smoking was self induced.....Not saying we would have won by any stretch but the score should have been closer.

[moehler]

Kirby reminds me a lot of Kiffin when he was HC for Tenn, a lot of talk months before the season begins, trying to stir the pot. The UGA administration would be smart to sit him down, and explain to him that until he actually accomplishes something, its in his best interest to be quite and just get his team ready for the season.

[EastHallApp]

To be honest, the quote wasn't quite as bad when I read it in context. He's talking about using a big-name opener as a way to keep players focused during offseason and preseason preparation. Wish we hadn't been one of the names he chose, but I'm sure he's right, whether we like it or not.

[EastHallApp]

Exactly. We get smoked every year we play a P5 since 07.

We had two close loses to ECU since 07. Otherwise, you're right. But we have been getting really unlucky, including this year, by coincidentally landing on these P5 schedules during their best season in ten years in either direction.

ECU isn't P5

Michigan in 2014: 5-7

Georgia in 2013: 8-5

Florida in 2010: 8-5

LSU in 2008: 8-5

[SayYesToTheRock]

Exactly. We get smoked every year we play a P5 since 07.

We had two close loses to ECU since 07. Otherwise, you're right. But we have been getting really unlucky, including this year, by coincidentally landing on these P5 schedules during their best season in ten years in either direction.

ECU isn't P5

Michigan in 2014: 5-7

Georgia in 2013: 8-5

Florida in 2010: 8-5

LSU in 2008: 8-5

Noticed you forgot a couple:

Virginia Tech in 2011: (11-3) (7-1)

Clemson in 2015: (14-1) (8-0)

Also, Georgia in 2013 (with Todd Gurley in the backfield) knocked off #6 USC and #6 LSU before they faced us. They may not have had their "best season in ten years" but Gonzo's point still stands: we have consistently faced very good P5 teams in very strong conferences (read: SEC), and only played two P5s with losing seasons in the last decade. Nearly all of the above teams were nationally ranked in the seasons we faced them.

Timing is everything, and we've had some bad luck. (Playing 4 SEC teams in 8 years will do that to you)

[EastHallApp]

Exactly. We get smoked every year we play a P5 since 07.

We had two close loses to ECU since 07. Otherwise, you're right. But we have been getting really unlucky, including this year, by coincidentally landing on these P5 schedules during their best season in ten years in either direction.

ECU isn't P5

Michigan in 2014: 5-7

Georgia in 2013: 8-5

Florida in 2010: 8-5

LSU in 2008: 8-5

Noticed you forgot a couple:

Virginia Tech in 2011: (11-3) (7-1)

Clemson in 2015: (14-1) (8-0)

Also, Georgia in 2013 (with Todd Gurley in the backfield) knocked off #6 USC and #6 LSU before they faced us. They may not have had their "best season in ten years" but Gonzo's point still stands: we have consistently faced very good P5 teams in very strong conferences (read: SEC), and only played two P5s with losing seasons in the last decade. Nearly all of the above teams were nationally ranked in the seasons we faced them.

Timing is everything, and we've had some bad luck. (Playing 4 SEC teams in 8 years will do that to you)

Didn't forget. Four of the six had below-average years relative to what they'd been doing. Virginia Tech had the last of eight straight 10-win seasons. Only Clemson had an abnormally strong year when we faced them. (And yes, Tennessee looks set to do the same.)

And he didn't say we've played "very good" teams (debatable whether 8-5 is "very good," let alone 5-7, but that's another debate). He said we've been "unlucky" in when we've played these teams, and the above shows the opposite to be true: We've had luckier-than-normal timing in when we've played them, at least before last season.

[Yosef10]

He has never coached a down as the HC, come the Florida game he probably won't say anything like that. And BTW Coach " Smart" You play Nicholls State Colonels the second game of the season and our team plays an entire slate of FBS schools this fall. Furthermore there is a wonderful Dog House on the sidelines in Athens that has AC, looks like you are going to get used to accommodations there when you don't appease the faithful between the Hedges.

All he basically said was its much more motivating for players throughout the summer when the pictures of their first opponents are hanging in the weight room and those pictures are of Clemson, Wisconsin, etc. other than pictures of the Apps & WMUs of the world. Not a shocking revelation by any means and it's completely understandable what he's saying. Hell, if I was at UGA I'd be considerably more amped up to open with a school the caliber of Clemson than App. Just the life of a G5.

[Yosef10]

Kirby reminds me a lot of Kiffin when he was HC for Tenn, a lot of talk months before the season begins, trying to stir the pot. The UGA administration would be smart to sit him down, and explain to him that until he actually accomplishes something, its in his best interest to be quite and just get his team ready for the season.

Lol he didnt say anything that would require a sit down with he administration. Simply said guys are more motivated throughout the summer when your first game is against the Clemsons and Wisconsins of the world instead of small G5 schools. Which is 100% true.

[bigdaddyg]

I don't think it is reasonable to include any of the games we played against P5's when we were FCS. Michigan not withstanding we were at a decided disadvantage with fewer scholarship players. Obviously ECU is not a P5 but they were a pretty decent G5 both seasons. It will take a while to get the skill players with speed needed to really slug it out with those big boys on a consistent basis. All of the heart and determination in the world can't always make up for the difference in talent and skill. We will get there.

[/\PP ST/\TE GRAD 09]

Kirby reminds me a lot of Kiffin when he was HC for Tenn, a lot of talk months before the season begins, trying to stir the pot. The UGA administration would be smart to sit him down, and explain to him that until he actually accomplishes something, its in his best interest to be quite and just get his team ready for the season.

Lol he didnt say anything that would require a sit down with he administration. Simply said guys are more motivated throughout the summer when your first game is against the Clemsons and Wisconsins of the world instead of small G5 schools. Which is 100% true.

In addition to not needing a sit down, Kirby's pre HC career is much better than Kiffins. Doubt Kirby leaves after a year like Kiffin did. Lastly, what he said is true, and many P5 coaches feel the same way.