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ATHENS Georgia coach Kirby Smart revealed on Tuesday that senior defense tackle Julian Rochester will likely be coming back for a sixth year. Rochester, who suffered a torn ACL in the 2018 postseason, didn't make his first appearance this season until the fifth game of the season against Tennessee. The 6-foot-5, 300-pound senior from Mableton, Ga.., had two tackles and a TFL against the Vols. 'He did a great job in the Tennessee game,' Smart said. 'Jordan (Davis) went down and he filled it. He's done a great job contributing.' Rochester isn't expected to play when the No. 4-ranked Bulldogs play host to No. 24 Texas A&M at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, though he is available. CFP Rankings: Georgia remains in Top 5 A new NCAA rule instituted last year allows players to appear in up to four games and not lose a year of eligibility, and Smart said Georgia has been considering that in Rochester's case throughout the season. 'That's kind of what we've been working towards,' Smart said. 'It's not set yet because we don't know how many games we've got left.' Richardson also played in the Bulldogs win over Florida in Jacksonville. With nose guards Jordan Davis and Michael Barnett both healthy, Georgia may not need to use Richardson the remainder of the season. At the very least, Smart can be selective and help the senior maintain his eligibility and have a full, healthy final season at Georgia in 2020. Georgia coach Kirby Smart Georgia DawgNation stories WATCH: Gus Malzahn says Auburn 'stuffed' Georgia in 4th quarter WATCH: Georgia QB Jake Fromm says offense much get better Georgia in select company, clinches third-straight SEC East Division title UGA stock report: Bulldogs cash in at Auburn with 21-14 win Georgia game ball, punter Jake Camarda kept Tigers backed up Brian Herrien, Jake Fromm pray for injured UGA photographer The post WATCH: Kirby Smart reveals Georgia DT Julian Rochester redshirt considerations appeared first on DawgNation. -
The Georgia Bulldogs leapfrogged Alabama in the College Football Playoff rankings last week. And that was before they beat a top-15 Auburn team on the road. However, the No. 4 spot is as high as the Bulldogs are able to climb at the moment, as that is where they landed in the Week 13 College Football Playoff rankings. The Bulldogs are still the highest-rated one-loss team, as the only teams ranked higher than Georgia are LSU at No. 1, Ohio State at No. 2 and Clemson at No. 3. The Bulldogs have been able to remain so high because of their strong resume wins over the likes of No. 11 Florida, No. 15 Auburn and No. 16 Notre Dame. Alabama which lost starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to a season-ending hip injury came in at No. 5. Should LSU beat Arkansas this week, the Bulldogs would face the top-ranked Tigers in the SEC Championship game in Atlanta on Dec. 7. A win on that day would likely secure Georgia's spot in the College Football Playoff, while a loss likely eliminates the Bulldogs. Georgia ranked at No. 4 in both the AP Poll and Coaches Poll this week. The Bulldogs will face Texas A&M. All three of Texas A&M's defeats have come against teams ranked in the College Football Playoff rankings. 'They have an immense amount of talent,' Georgia coach Kirby Smart said. 'As far as their receiving corps will be one of the best we've played against. They have a total of eight or nine starters back on offense. Really, basically, every position outside tight end and a running back is coming back for their team. And when you watch them on tape, it really jumps off the film at you.' The Bulldogs and Aggies kickoff at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS. You can see the rest of the College Football Playoff rankings for Week 13 below. College Football Playoff rankings for Week 13 LSU Ohio State Clemson Georgia Alabama Oregon Utah Penn State Oklahoma Minnesota Florida Wisconsin Michigan Baylor Auburn Notre Dame Iowa Memphis Cincinnati Boise State Oklahoma State Iowa State Southern Cal App State SMU More Georgia football stories from around DawgNation Kendall Milton: Georgia RB commit has an All-American week both on and off the field Todd Gurley leads Los Angeles Rams to win, surpasses another career milestone WATCH: Georgia newcomers were difference-makers in 21-14 highlight video Texas A&M's Jimbo Fisher: Aggies aim to match Georgia physicality and toughness' Even as Georgia offense struggles, D'Andre Swift continues to show why he's one of the best in the country Georgia football podcast: UGA has a lot to celebrate after beating Auburn Georgia football freshmen report: UGA 21, Auburn 14 Texas A&M will get a chance to play spoiler for Georgia and the Bulldogs know it The post College Football Playoff rankings updated after Georgia's win over Auburn appeared first on DawgNation. -
Georgia football is the No. 1 topic every day on DawgNation Daily the daily podcast for Georgia Bulldogs fans. Catch up on everything happening with UGA athletics with host Brandon Adams and the DawgNation experts as they break down the latest Georgia football recruiting news and discuss coach Kirby Smart's quest to return the Bulldogs to the top of the SEC. On episode No. 1,076 (Nov. 19, 2019) of the podcast, Georgia fans can hear a discussion about how Georgia stacks up next to top contenders for the College Football Playoff. Georgia football podcast: Comparing UGA's Playoff resume to top contenders Beginning of the show: Georgia was fourth in the College Football Playoff rankings last week, and on today's show I make the case that the Bulldogs probably deserve to be ranked higher this week despite the fact UGA lost to South Carolina. 10-minute mark: I discuss our push to make a great atmosphere Saturday to honor UGA's seniors who'll play their last home game vs. Texas A&M. 15-minute mark: DawgNation's recruiting insider Jeff Sentell joins the show. Some of the topics covered include 5-star defensive lineman Jordan Burch announcing his commitment date The latest on 4-star wide receiver Arian Smith An update on UGA wide receiver commit Marcus Rosemy 5-star 2021 quarterback Caleb Williams' planned LSU visit And a preview of a long list of recruiting visitors for Saturday's game vs. the Aggies 30-minute mark: I discuss other SEC headlines including Aggies coach Jimbo Fisher's thoughts on a rare matchup with UGA, the odd circumstances surrounding Will Muschamp's status as South Carolina coach and a former 4-star Alabama signee entering the transfer portal. 35-minute mark: I share audio of UGA coach Kirby Smart discussing Texas A&M and I salute some of the 'Top Dawgs' in the NFL from this past Sunday. End of show: I share the Gator Hater Updater. The post Georgia football podcast: Comparing UGA's Playoff resume to top contenders appeared first on DawgNation. -
ATHENS Georgia coach Kirby Smart said offensive linemen Cade Mays and Ben Cleveland are back practicing this week, increasing the optimism they will play on Saturday. 'Cade has been out there working, and Ben has practiced,' Smart said on Tuesday. 'Cade didn't do much yesterday, he did a lot more today as far as reps, we're hopeful he'll be able to go.' Smart said Cleveland missed two practices last week on account of a toe ailment. The No. 4-ranked Bulldogs (9-1, 6-1) play host to No. 24 Texas A&M (7-3, 4-2) at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday at Sanford Stadium (TV: CBS). WATCH: Newcomers were difference-makers in win over Auburn Smart said the level of health is obviously key, but so is the level of play of the backups. 'I think health is the number one factor,' Smart said. 'If you don't have health, you don't have an opportunity. 'Is a guy 90 percent better than a backup that's 100 percent?' Senior grad-transfer receiver Lawrence Cager has been cleared to practice, but Smart said there was a question if he could sustain his health. 'He's been good,' Smart said on Tuesday. 'He's repped, he's practiced.' Cager, who turned in a 7-catch, 132-yard performance against Florida, has been dealing with a separated shoulder for more than a month. Georgia football DawgNation stories Jimbo Fisher plans for his Aggies to match up with the Bulldogs WATCH: Gus Malzahn says Auburn 'stuffed' Georgia in 4th quarter WATCH: Georgia QB Jake Fromm says offense much get better Georgia in select company, clinches third-straight SEC East Division title UGA stock report: Bulldogs cash in at Auburn with 21-14 win Georgia game ball, punter Jake Camarda kept Tigers backed up Brian Herrien, Jake Fromm pray for injured UGA photographer The post Georgia coach Kirby Smart: Offensive line health improving appeared first on DawgNation. -
ATLANTA (AP) - The Braves are not promising Will Smith the closer's role. Smith isn't complaining. During his first news conference with his new team Tuesday, Smith said he's fine with pitching in any inning. The Georgia native said he's just happy to move close to home and to pitch 'for an organization I grew up watching with my family.' A 30-year-old left-hander, Smith wore No. 47 as a kid because that was Atlanta left-hander Tom Glavine's number. Smith agreed to a $40 million, three-year contract with the Braves on Thursday following an All-Star season with San Francisco. The free agent turned down a $17.8 million qualifying from San Francisco and agreed to a deal that includes a $13 million annual salaries and a $13 million club option for 2023 with a $1 million buyout. The Braves continued to work on their bullpen by signing right-hander Chris Martin to a two-year, $14 million deal later Tuesday. Martin finished the 2019 season with Atlanta. Smith's former clubhouse neighbor with the Giants, Mark Melancon, was 11 for 11 in saves opportunities with the Braves in 2019 following a midseason trade from San Francisco. Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos said Melancon is expected to enter spring training as the closer. The GM noted the decision will be made by manager Brian Snitker. It would not be a surprise if Smith wins the job. He posted a 2.76 ERA with a career-best 34 saves last season for San Francisco. 'Will Smith is one of the better relievers in the game,' Anthopoulos said. 'It's a big add for us. We made our bullpen a lot better today.' Left-hander Sean Newcomb, who started only four games before pitching well out of the bullpen last season, will have another opportunity to win a spot in the rotation. Anthopoulos said that decision was made before the team signed Smith. Teams are increasingly willing to utilize elite relievers in clutch situations before the ninth inning. Anthopoulos said he could foresee Smith being called on in the seventh or eighth innings, depending upon matchups and game situations. Smith endorsed that strategy. He said a successful bullpen is filled with pitchers who see themselves as 'the closer of that inning,' no matter when they enter a game. 'If everybody takes that attitude, I think we're going to be all right out there,' he said. Smith is a native of Newnan, Georgia - about 40 miles southwest of Atlanta. He said his family frequently attended Braves games. With Smith playing home games in California, however, it was difficult for his Georgia family to follow his career. 'They would set an alarm for 12:45 to check the score and see if it was a save situation,' Smith said. Smith said playing so close to home 'was huge' in his decision to sign with Atlanta. He said he also wanted to play for a winner, and the Braves have won two straight NL East division titles. Atlanta struggled to find consistency at the back end of its bullpen last season. Anthopoulos made three trade-deadline deals to acquire relievers, adding Melancon, Shane Greene from Detroit and Martin from Texas. Bullpen woes hurt the Braves in their NL Division Series loss to St. Louis. Atlanta led 3-1 going to the eighth inning of the opener, but Luke Jackson and Melancon struggled in a 7-6 loss. Anthopoulos shot down any notion that he'll be looking to trade Greene after adding Smith. 'We're trying to have a deep bullpen,' Anthopoulos said. 'We like Shane. We're excited to have him.' Anthopoulos is looking for help at other spots, including third base. The team has made a qualifying offer to Josh Donaldson, who became a free agent after hitting 37 homers and driving in 94 runs with Atlanta. Among other notable free-agent third basemen are Anthony Rendon and Mike Moustakas. 'There are a lot of good players out there,' Anthopoulos said. 'We're going to see if we can get something done.' If the Braves can't re-sign Donaldson or add another top third baseman, Johan Camargo and Austin Riley likely would compete for the job in spring training. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
