Smart, Malzahn hold press conferences ahead of SEC Championship
Atlanta, Ga. - Georgia coach Kirby Smart and Auburn coach Guz Malzahn each met with the media Friday, ahead of Saturday's SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Both team will also hold a practice at the stadium on Friday afternoon.
Smart said that the time inside the stadium Friday will help eliminate his players' 'wow factor.'
"It's really easy for me, but it's not my concern. I'm not worried about myself. It's the players. It's the young men who haven't been in a venue like this. I think playing in the Georgia Dome certainly helped last year to open in that place, but this obviously is a step above that."
Smart also confirmed that following the Bulldogs loss at Auburn earlier in the month, Auburn coach Gus Malzahn told him "See you in Atlanta." UGA had already sealed a spot in the championship game, the Tigers had to still beat Alabama to reach Atlanta.
"we were talking about it today when I saw him. I said, you held up your end of the bargain. He asked if I did, and I told him I never did. But he held up his end of the bargain, and they got back to Atlanta," said Smart.
Malzahn remembers things a little differently.
"I think I said, hope to see you in Atlanta, but regardless, I'll just say this. Kirby and I, we went against each other numerous times. We have a lot of respect for each other. I just had a feeling we'd play again," said Malzahn.
The Auburn coach also updated the media on the status of his star running back Kerryon Johnson, who injured his shoulder in the regular season finale against Alabama.
"As far as Kerryon is concerned, he did do some practice things on a limited basis. We're going to see how he is in pregame. It will be a game-time decision. Obviously, you know how important he is to our success, and he's helped get us here. We're very confident in our other running backs if he can't go. We'll see happens," said Malzahn.
The SEC Championship game kicks off at 4 PM on Saturday,