Georgia Head Coach Kirby Smart Says Bulldogs Dealt With COVID-19 Issues The Past Few Weeks, Expects Full Strength For Orange Bowl

With the College Football semifinals set to be played in just two days, the worry around the increase in COVID-19 cases has been palpable. 

Last week, the Michigan football team received their COVID-19 booster shots as a team, and Alabama head coach Nick Saban told reporters that his team is more than 90% vaccinated and that masks and social distancing have been reinstated ahead of their semifinal matchup against Cincinnati.

The concern is that a team will be forced to forfeit their semifinal matchup following the College Football Playoff Committee’s announcement of their COVID-19 postseason policies. 

As reported by The Daily Wire, the two semifinal games will not be rescheduled if one or both teams are unable to play due to COVID-19. If one team cannot play, “the unavailable team shall forfeit the game and its opponent would advance to the national championship game.”

According to Georgia head coach Kirby Smart, his Bulldogs are in good shape when it comes to COVID-19 as they prepare for their matchup against No. 2 Michigan on Friday. 

“We increased a lot of things around our building and our awareness of our players and understanding what’s going on,” Smart said. “They’ve really adhered to the policies we’ve asked them to and been able to steer clear for the most part. We had a little bout the last couple of weeks, when we lost some guys, but we got most of those guys back. The biggest thing is really being at full strength when you have to be, and that’s what we’re aiming toward.”

Georgia has arrived in Miami ahead of the Orange Bowl and is making sure to take precautions as COVID-19 continues to impact the college football bowl season. 

“Definitely excited to be in Miami, but as we all know, it’s a hot spot for COVID,” defensive tackle Jordan Davis said. “We just have to make sure that we protect ourselves and wear our masks, and just enjoy the moment. Obviously, bowl week is a great time for team chemistry and getting to know each other a little bit better than we already do. We’re just excited to be here and have fun in Miami.”

Smart told reporters that his players have taken extra precautions, but have been allowed to get out of their hotels in order to enjoy bowl activities.  

“The players have been able to do the outings,” Smart said. “The CFP has made it very safe for them to do that. I think probably the worst thing you could do would be to have these kids come to a hotel and just be in the hotel for four days and not move and not do anything. They’ve made it safe for our players to function, and as a matter of fact, being outside probably helps them more than anything else as long as they’re in a safe environment and not around crowds of people they don’t know.”

Georgia will face No. 2 Michigan Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET in the Capital One Orange Bowl.

Joe Morgan is the Sports Reporter for The Daily Wire. Most recently, Morgan covered the Clippers, Lakers, and the NBA for Sporting News. Send your sports questions to [email protected].

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