ATHENS \u2014 Georgia coach Kirby Smart did not update the Bulldogs\u2019 injury report \u2014 touchdown-leading tailback Chauncey Bowens remains classified as \u201cout\u201d (See below).<\/p>\n
But Smart did make an appearance on ESPN, and made a rare admission when acknowledging the significance of Georgia\u2019s game at Alabama at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday night.<\/p>\n
Smart, who typically downplays the notion of one SEC game being any bigger than another, called the upcoming SEC showdown a \u201cbrand\u201d game.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo much is put into this game and then there\u2019s going to be another one the next week, so we\u2019re trying to keep our guys level-headed,\u201d Smart said during his ESPN appearance with Pat McAfee.<\/a> \u201cYeah, it\u2019s important, yeah it\u2019s a helluva opportunity on a national stage, a brand game \u2014 for both teams\u2019 brand.<\/p>\n \u201cWe think we\u2019re a physical team, they\u2019re a physical team, let\u2019s go find out and let\u2019s see who\u2019s the most physical or the most ready right now.\u201d<\/p>\n Georgia (5-0, 3-0 SEC) opened the week as a 1.5-point favorite, but the line quickly swung in favor of the Crimson Tide (5-0, 3-0), which was a 1.5-point favorite on Thursday night, per the Fan Duel Sports Book.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cYou play these games that are really tough and physical, you never know which way it\u2019s going to go,\u201d Smart said. \u201cBoth of us have got to better if we\u2019re going to go where we want to go, and the only way you\u2019re going to get better is play good people.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Smart also indicated this sort of game does energize him.<\/p>\n \u201cI really am excited about the matchup,\u201d Smart said. \u201cI do think they are a much improved team and extremely physical team.\u201d<\/p>\n Smart indicated he\u2019s optimistic that the weather for the game won\u2019t be as affected by Hurricane Isaias as feared.<\/p>\n