UGA's Kirby Smart calls GT's Paul Johnson 'one of the best in the business'

ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia may be the heavy favorite in the “Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate” rivalry, but that doesn’t mean coach Kirby Smart doesn’t respect his opponent.

Speaking with the media at his Monday news conference, Smart had high praise for Georgia Tech and coach Paul Johnson.

“Coach (Paul) Johnson is one of the best in the business at what he does. He knows the answers to it, he knows the problems with it and you’re not going to trick them,” Smart said.

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The Georgia vs. Georgia Tech game will be televised LIVE on Channel 2 and broadcast on radio by WSB 750 AM and 95.5 FM. The game can also be heard on 680 AM and 93.7 FM.

The two in-state rivals meet again on Saturday in Atlanta.

“I know our kids and our seniors will be excited to go play in Atlanta, and also play a team that in the last three years has beaten us twice,” Smart said. “So it gives us an opportunity to send these seniors out the right way. And great rivalry game that’s been in this state for a long time.”

Georgia Tech has defeated Georgia two of the last three tries, including its lone shot against Smart’s Bulldogs.

“They’ve got a really good offensive football team and a very good defensive football team that’s doing a really good job on third downs,” Smart said. “They’re very sound in what they do. You’ve got to be very disciplined and you’ve got to do a great job getting off blocks and tackling. That’ll be the objective this week as we prepare for Georgia Tech.”

Georgia (10-1) is already locked into the SEC Championship Game on Dec. 2 in Atlanta. Georgia Tech (5-5) needs a victory to become bowl eligible.

Information from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution contributed to this report.

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