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NORMAN — The odds are stacked in Georgia's favor as the Bulldogs gear up to face Oklahoma. The Bulldogs are 14-point favorites over the Sooners ahead of this weekend's clash between two college football powerhouses.
Georgia sits at No. 2 in the AP poll, while Oklahoma fell out of the rankings following its 14-6 victory over New Mexico. Nevertheless, UGA coach Kirby Smart holds plenty of respect for Oklahoma coach Brent Venables. Specifically, Smart admires Venables' reputation as a defensive mastermind.
"I mean, look at his record," Smart said on the SEC's teleconference on Wednesday.
Smart himself is regarded as one of the sport's greatest defensive minds. Before becoming Georgia's head coach in 2016, he served as Alabama's defensive coordinator from 2008 to 2015, helping the Crimson Tide win four national championships during that period. Since Smart's arrival in Athens, Georgia's defenses have consistently improved, and the Bulldogs captured back-to-back national titles in 2021 and 2022.
Similarly, Venables took over as Oklahoma's head coach after a long stint as a defensive coordinator at a championship program. Venables helped Clemson win national championships in 2016 and 2018 before taking the reins at OU in 2022. In Venables' first season, the Sooners allowed 30 points and 461 yards per game. Last year, Oklahoma led the SEC in scoring defense (15.5 points allowed per game), total defense (272.5 yards allowed per game) and sacks (45).
This season, OU has surrendered only 23 points in its first three contests, and the Sooners lead the SEC in passing defense, allowing just 104.3 passing yards per game. Oklahoma has only been in the SEC since 2024, but Smart believes Venables' defensive genius has already made an impact on the conference.
"A lot of people copy things they do," Smart said. "That's the first tape you turn to and say, 'All right, I want to see how Oklahoma played. I want to see what they did on defense.'"
Georgia's offense is loaded with talent. The Bulldogs have combined for 178 points in their first three games of 2026. Veteran quarterback Gunner Stockton has thrown for 583 yards, nine touchdowns and zero interceptions so far, and because the Bulldogs' first three contests were so lopsided, they've been able to rest star running back Nate Frazier.
Even so, Smart is well aware of the challenges that await his team when it faces Venables' defense on Saturday. "It's basically a defensive highlight reel in terms of the way to play and the way to strike blockers and the way to get off blockers and run to the ball," Smart said.
Key Analysis
Smart's admiration for Venables underscores the respect between two of college football's premier defensive strategists. As Georgia's high-powered offense prepares to face Oklahoma's stingy defense, the matchup could hinge on which unit imposes its will. The Bulldogs' 14-point favoritism reflects their ranking and recent dominance, but Venables' track record suggests the Sooners are capable of pulling off an upset.