Peach Tree Times

Georgia coach Kirby Smart and his newly No. 1-ranked Bulldogs had been building for this moment.

"The challenge ahead is for us,” Smart told GeorgiaDogs.com, before facing No. 11 Kentucky Oct. 16 at Sanford Stadium. “It seems like each week, the last three, four, five weeks, we've had big games and we have another opportunity. That's why you come to the SEC. To play in big games."

The Bulldogs came away with a 30-13 victory over the Wildcats.

With the Bulldogs taking the field for the first time since being crowned No. 1, Smart insisted he and his team didn't feel any added pressure.

"It's just a number, right,” he told GeorgiaDogs.com.. “I don't see a plateau. The goal is to be number one at the end of the season. We won't get caught up in that and let you guys write about it. That's not a burden we carry. The burden we carry is how we play."

Smart was hoping to have quarterback JT Daniels back from his oblique injury, but senior Stetson Bennett once again got the call.

"You know how I feel about hypotheticals,” he told GeorgiaDogs.com. “It's just hypothetical. We are trying to get JT back. He is much improved this last week, at the end of the week. He had a really productive throwing session. We'll look and see how he is and where he is. Right now I'm making sure that we have a healthy quarterback and keeping our quarterbacks healthy, by keeping them upright and protected."

Smart wanted Bulldogs’ fans to also know they have a role, especially against the No. 11 Wildcats.

"This game speaks for itself,” he said. “What it means, who we are playing, what the rankings are, what's at stake. I think our fans are educated enough to know the importance of this one. Their impact could be the difference in the game. I don't think sometimes they acknowledge that because they think that everything's going to be easy and it's going to be home. You can't think that way. You can't be apathetic as a fan and think 'well, we're Georgia.'”