South Bound & Down
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Georgia football: Roquan Smith is defensive kryptonite

By Richard Gnann

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Roquan Smith #3 of the Georgia football Bulldogs in the second half in the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Roquan Smith #3 of the Georgia football Bulldogs in the second half in the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Roquan Smith closes the gap on the Oklahoma running back to force a field goal in overtime.

Raise the stakes, raise the play

Smith is playing the best ball of his life against the best competition he has faced. He earned defensive player of the game honors in the Rose Bowl, with 11 tackles and a tackle for loss. In the SEC championship, he had 13 tackles, two tackles for loss and a fumble recovery to earn the most valuable player award.

Mental preparation is a big reason why Smith’s play refuses to peak.

“I try to know my opponent better than they know themselves,”  Smith said. “What they’re about to do and certain situations.”

Smith refined his mental acumen with a term coaching for Georgia football this past spring. Sidelined with shoulder injury during spring practice, Smith became an extra coach. It wasn’t long before he earned the nickname Coach Smith.

“He would coach the guys up on the side,” said Tucker, Georgia’s defensive coordinator. ” I think that really helped some of our younger players.”

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