Just in time for its biggest test of the season against No. 2 Tennessee's top-ranked offense, top-ranked Georgia's defense has lost outside linebacker Nolan Smith to a season-ending injury.
FILE - Georgia linebacker Nolan Smith (4) rushes the passer in the first half of a NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022 in Athens, Ga. No. 1 Georgia finally has the chance to provide proof it again has a championship caliber defense. No. 2 Tennessee brings the nation’s top-scoring offense to Athens on Saturday while Georgia ranks No. 2 in scoring defense but must overcome the loss of outside linebacker Nolan Smith, the team’s sacks leader who has been lost with a torn pectoral muscle. (AP Photo/Brett Davis, File)? Provided by The Associated Press
Smith, who leads Georgia with three sacks and is fifth with 18 tackles, suffered a torn right pectoral muscle in last week's
42-20 win over Florida. Georgia announced Tuesday that Smith, a senior, will have surgery on Thursday and is expected to make a full recovery.
Smith was one of only three returning starters from the 2021 defense that led Georgia to its first national championship since 1980. Despite having eight players from the defense selected in this year's draft, including five in the first round, Georgia (8-0, 5-0 Southeastern Conference, No. 3 College Football Playoff) is second in the nation with its average of 10.50 points allowed.
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:scared trick or damn treat !
Open the floodgates Rocky Top