Georgia defense stumbling out of the gates. 'We've got to do better'

AI-assisted summary

The Georgia Bulldogs' defense has struggled in the first half of recent SEC games, a shift from previous seasons.

Georgia gave up 45 total points in the first half of its last two games against Tennessee and Alabama.

Coach Kirby Smart attributes the slow starts to execution issues rather than poor game planning.

The team's defense ranks low in the SEC for third-down conversions and sacks, impacting their ability to stop opponents early.

Georgia football players and coaches talked the talk all offseason about playing with fire, passion and energy.

It hasn’t translated into the Bulldogs playing like their hair is on fire, to borrow a football phrase, at the start of games in SEC play.

Last season, it was the offense that had the reputation for being slow starters.