Florida vs Georgia - Kirby Smart, Dan Mullen talk about the matchup

With both teams on bye weeks this week, Kirby Smart and Dan Mullen have both had plenty of time to sound off on their upcoming matchup between the two.

In two matchups against Dan Mullen lead football teams, Kirby Smart is 2-0, winning games by an average of 23 points. So, it's safe to say that Smart's more than won the head to head battle in the early go of it. 

To Dan Mullen's credit though, in 2017 that Mississippi State team finished strong after a tough start that included a three-game stretch to start SEC play of LSU, UGA, and Auburn. And Florida was in the midst of a rebuild in 2018 when he took over as head coach. (Florida won 4 games in '17)

Both coaches are in the midst of their second bye week of the season prior to next week's battle, so they've had plenty of time to address the media and field some questions about their upcoming opponent. 

Mullen has consistently taken shots at Smart and the Georgia program since taking over as the Florida head coach. Like when he said, "Maybe Georgia fans were so uptight because they haven't won in 39 years" or remember after Justin Fields transferred:

"I’d think we did a poor job recruiting if guys were coming in and then immediately walking out the door because it was something different than what they thought it would be and we lied to them during recruiting, or we sold them on a dream that wasn’t true." 

He just can't help himself. But perhaps he's learned his lesson? For the most part, his comments to the media this week have directly related to his football team, and who will and won't be available for next week's game. 

You know, losing your first two matchups against Smart by a combined 46 points just might teach you a lesson in humility. 

Mullen also spoke about continuing his two QB system with Kyle Trask and Emory Jones, saying that it's pretty simple to run. "You've got to know how to do it, I've done it in the past... They know what the plan is, so it really isn't that hard." Again, with that Mullen Moxy.

Georgia HC, Kirby Smart

On the other hand, there's Kirby Smart. Who's main objective when speaking to the media, is to do his best to say nothing. No bulletin board material, no further information than requested, and most certainly no smack talk. Most famously saying this offseason "We do the talking with our helmets." 

When you listen to a few Kirby Smart pressers, the first thing you'll notice is the amount of respect he portrays for every opponent. Even the Murray State and Arkansas State's of the world. 

So, it's no shock to hear Smart speak about this Florida football team in the manner in which he has up to this point. 

He’s (Trask) a good quarterback. He’s more athletic than you think he is. … They’ve got a really, really veteran group —probably one of the best wide receiver groups, when you include the tight end in that, in the country.”

Certainly a contrast of styles, not only in terms of the two coaches, but the overall philosophies and identities of these football teams. Florida wants to spread it out and throw it to open the run on offense. On defense, they want to get after the passer. 

Georgia, on the other hand, wants to pack you in and run to open up the pass, and on defense, they want to bludgeon you to death and make you drive the length of the field, giving up 2 to 3 yards at a time until you either punt, turn it over, or score. Keep everything in front. Death by a thousand cuts. 

I'm sure Mullen won't be able to help himself, he'll drop a hotline quote at some point next week. It's just his nature, just wait on it.