CFP NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: GEORGIA VS TCU

January 7, 2023

Chris Smith

SoFi Stadium

Georgia Bulldogs

Press Conference

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: It's been great. We just got here yesterday. This is my second time in L.A. It's just been great. We're just getting acclimated to the time change, getting our feet wet, a lot of meetings. Just focusing on the game time for the most part.

We know we got a job to do, so that's what we came here to do, that's what we're focused on.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Same as all the other teams. Just great teams. A lot of great athletes. Obviously start with a great quarterback, great receivers, great offensive coordinators. They have a good defense, as well.

Great team, man. They're here for a reason, so yeah.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: No, I know like Mississippi, I don't know the name of it. It was Mississippi. They were red-yellow. What's the name of it?

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CHRIS SMITH: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

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CHRIS SMITH: He got three. He got three, yeah, yeah.

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CHRIS SMITH: Like 12?

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CHRIS SMITH: I was close (smiling).

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CHRIS SMITH: Frog with horns. Like a very tough frog, so yeah.

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CHRIS SMITH: That's crazy.

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CHRIS SMITH: I do not know. All I know is Ladd McConkey. That's all I know him as.

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CHRIS SMITH: That's crazy. Australia, that's easy.

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CHRIS SMITH: I'm going to go eight.

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CHRIS SMITH: Oh, I was close.

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CHRIS SMITH: Got to be the Giants.

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CHRIS SMITH: Okay, okay.

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CHRIS SMITH: Dang, I got to think. Who has been the most... I'm going to say Cedric.

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CHRIS SMITH: At least 55.

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CHRIS SMITH: Oh, man. That's crazy. That's crazy.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: It would mean a lot. Obviously just to be able to win one, that meant a lot. To be able to go back to back, especially in the CFP era, something that hasn't been done before.

We know that and we want to be able to leave our own legacy for the University of Georgia. We want to make our fans proud, our families proud. Just all the work we put in, it's been our goal since the season started.

It would mean a lot to be able to go back to back, so...

Q. How does it feel different this time around?

CHRIS SMITH: Only difference I would say is different city. L.A. is a lot different from Indianapolis. But that's pretty much the only difference.

We handle our business the same way we did last year, like I say, get acclimated to the time change. I think we passed three time zones. That's the biggest difference, time zone, time change. Other than that, everything pretty much the same.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Very explosive. Like I said, first thing that stands out is the quarterback, Max Duggan. You could tell the team runs through him. Like I said, they got great receivers, Johnston, 18, 11, No. 4. All those guys are tremendous athletes. They got a good running back core as well.

They're very good at what they do, so...

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Very big body. He got a lot of speed. Very great hands. Like I said, he's the best runner on their team. He makes a lot of great plays for them.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: We just want to execute our overall game plan. Not anything specifically. What coaches give us to be able to succeed, that's our main focus.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: I don't feel like we're the target. It's a whole new season, whole new team. We still haven't accomplished our main goal.

We still got a lot to play for as well as the other team.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: No, sir. I don't feel like we have any more to prove. Like I said, this is an entirely different team, whole different dynamic than what it was last year. I don't think there's more to prove. We just trying to prove to ourselves that we can do what we said we wanted to do when the season started.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: I mean, it's been pretty great. Like I said, we just put in a lot of hard work to be able to go out there and play a good game on Monday. Job is not finished. We got to practice later on today. We got things that we need to fix, things that we need to continue to work on. It's not going to stop till the kickoff starts, yeah.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Start off with Max, a group of really good receivers he got, like you said. I think a lot of people underestimate the run game they have as well. They got very good running backs, like I said, a very good O-line. They know what they want to do and they do it well.

They're very different, but it works for them. They're here for a reason.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Yeah, that's my man. He's such a special talent. Just to be able to see him grow, just continue to mature as a man. He was already very mature when he got here. Just continuing to learn, continuing to be a vital part of our defense. Man, he's been amazing. He's been a sight to see, for sure.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Like I said, they're very explosive. As a defense, we want to be able to limit explosives. We feel that's a great indicator of being able to win and lose games. I'd say that's the biggest challenge, they're very explosive. That's something we're going to have to be able to contain.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: First of all, my prayers and thoughts go out to Damar and the Buffalo Bills family. I know it was a tough situation to be in. It was a crazy sight to see. I had just got home and I had turned on the game. I seen the ambulance on the field. I didn't really know what was going on until I got on Twitter. It's definitely something tough to see. You don't want to be able to turn on a game to see something like that.

Playing this game, we know the dangers that come with it. Unfortunate to see that. I'm praying for his family. I always pray for our team's well-being, hopefully everybody comes out uninjured, unscathed, be able to go home to their family at the end of the day. That's what it's all about.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: It just shows the kind of person he is. He won the game of life. Like I said, that's what's important at the end of the day. He won the game of life. I'm happy that he's able to come to. Hopefully he can get back to his-self.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Yeah, like I said, one of the best receivers in the nation just to start off with that. Great body, big hands, a lot of speed. Him and Max have a great connection. You can tell when you watch them on film.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Let me start off with that.

Me personally, I don't really get nervous for games. Something I prepare for, something I've been doing my whole life. When it's time to go out there and execute, man, that's what my main focus is.

Obviously that group of players, that was our first opportunity to be in a national championship game. Like I said, that's a goal we have every year here. It was great for us to be able to get to that point. I felt like we were very prepared and ready when it came. That's pretty much what I think.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: I feel as if he's the greatest quarterback in Georgia history. Just what he's been able to do, the amount of adversity he's been able to overcome. Just to see him just have a smile on his face every day.

I know he's very grateful and blessed for the opportunity he's been placed in. He doesn't take it for granted. Definitely got one of the greatest legacies in UGA history.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Well, like I said all week, main thing that stands out about them is their explosiveness. Like I say, they know what they want to do and they execute very well. They got a lot of great athletes, starting off with 15, 11, 1, 4, 18. All those guys are vital parts of their offense. That's something we need to be able to contain if we want to win the game.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: It's tough, man. It's definitely not easy. But I think that's a great part of our being able to go out there and be prepared for games on Saturday. We able to face a tight end like Darnell, not only Darnell, but the rest of the tight ends. I could go on and on. Brock Bowers, Oscar Delp, Brett Seither. We have Lawson on the team. Lawson Luckie, he's the dog. You see all the type of preparation they take into the game. That helps me on Saturdays. I'm very thankful to be able to go against talents like that.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: He's a big guy, man. He's really, really big. Like I said, he's not an easy cover at all. When you line up in front of him, you better get your jaw straight.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: When you say 'through my head', what do you mean?

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: I always do things like that. I'm a very visual type of person. I learn visually. I like to envision myself making plays, just enjoying this atmosphere and this game that I'm going to play with my teammates.

Like I say, obviously at the end of the day I want to be able to come out on top. Like I said, we going to do everything we can for that to be the possible outcome on Monday.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Leaders of their team. That's probably the main factor. You could tell that their teams look to them for guidance. They're a very key part of them being able to win the game. You know what I'm saying?

Both of them tough individuals. Tremendous talent. Great mental as well. I feel like those are all the things that make great quarterbacks. Two of the best quarterbacks in the nation right there.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: That's the thing, we try to not make it different. We try to keep that same, not get complacent at all. We're not focusing on what we did last year 'cause that doesn't matter now.

Like I said, we want to be able to finish the job this year. That's our main focus.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Well, you always learn and take things away from certain games. I wouldn't say necessarily a wake-up call because we played a great team. When you get to this point in the season, every team, every player that you're going to face is a great player. There's a reason that they're here.

Like I said, definitely you take things you learn from each game, for sure.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Yeah, I mean, pretty much how you said. Just trying to focus on the here and now, don't make it bigger than it needs to be.

Obviously we know in the CFP era, nobody has been able to win back-to-back national championships. That's obviously a legacy that we want to be able to leave.

Like I said, we got to handle this business on Monday. That's our main goal, man, our main goal at the end of the day.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Well, throughout the season we have these things called skull sessions. The person that runs them, his name is Drew Brannon. I feel like he's been a very vital part to our team's success, especially like you said on the psychological and mental part of game.

Shout-out to Drew. He's definitely built that connection throughout our team and gives us the right mindset to be able to lock in before we go out there and step out on the field.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Yeah, well, it's kind of different things every week. He has certain stories about real-life situations. A lot of them sometimes they're, like, war stories or situations where someone was in a tough situation and how they were able to overcome, things like that.

It's kind of a different theme each week. We will get the theme probably later on this week. Hopefully Drew is out here to give us that message. Like I said, he's a very vital part of our team.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Oh, he told a story of, it was a movie about a guy. They were out somewhere fighting in the woods. He got like blown off a boat or something, broke about his whole body, lost his tongue. He had to crawl about 11 miles to be able to be saved. That's one of the ones I really remember. The toughness and resiliency that that guy had, definitely a great story. That's one of the many stories he gives us.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: I mean, it's really no way to tell 'cause we have had it, like I said. We've had him in our corner. There's really no way to tell. I definitely feel like having him helps us a lot.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: I think so. I can't remember. I can't really remember. I think Mark Wahlberg played in it.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Definitely a fun challenge. I don't approach ever the game with any fear. You play the game for moments like this. Like I said, I'm thankful to be able to have the opportunity to be able to go against such great players.

I can't wait for the game on Monday.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Definitely similarities. Like I said, I feel like most teams run through the quarterback. Like I said, a Heisman finalist. To be able to get to that point, you have to be a great quarterback in some capacity. They got great mental toughness as well as physical toughness, great arm talent to go along with that.

Like I say, a lot of similarities. Especially when you get to this point in the season, you're facing a ton of great players no matter what team you're facing.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: We do got to execute our game plan. We got to do our job in the back end, front end got to handle they job. Everything should be all right.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: First thing that stands out, like I said, very explosive. They got a great quarterback, a lot of great receivers, a great running game to go along with that. Like I said, they know what they want to do and they do it very well. That's the first thing to stands out.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Just executing our game plan. Like I said, the coach is going to put us in the right situation to be able to see. Obviously, he's one of the best receivers in the nation. He shows that each week. Like I say, he got a great speed, big body, good hands. When it comes to a receiver like that, you have to be technically sound, lock in on what you need to do.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Yeah, I would say it makes it a little bit easier just because I feel like experience is one of the most important things that you can have. It helps you be prepared for when you go through that thing a second time, however many times you have to go through it.

I'd definitely say it definitely helps us out a little bit, yes, sir.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: I love California, man. It's one of my favorite states. This is my second time here. I was able to come last year for the first time. I'm happy that the championship is out here, for sure.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: I definitely agree. I feel like the SEC is the toughest conference in the nation. Like I said, you going against great players week in and week out.

That's not to take anything away from any other conference. Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, all those conferences got great teams. It's the reason why those teams are able to compete week in and week out. You know what I'm saying?

Like I said, SEC is definitely a tough conference to be able to play in. That's one of the main reasons why I chose to play here at this university and for this conference.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: How bad is the outfit (laughter)? I have to say bad haircut because I can cover up a little bit. I have to say bad haircut.

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CHRIS SMITH: Last person on the team bus? Julian Humphrey.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: I eat granola bars, stuff like that, a lot of Gatorade. Welch's fruit snacks. Everybody on the team pretty much eat those. A cool little snack, yeah.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Weirdest place? I would say probably the airport sometimes. Some people come up to you and say, what's up? I'm surprised about being recognized in certain situations.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Most famous person on my phone? Kelee Ringo.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Like I've been saying all day, very explosive. They got a lot of tough guys. They don't got no quit in them. They don't show any quit at all.

Every time they step out on that field, they're trying to score, as they should. We have to be able to execute our game plan to be able to contain it.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Yeah, man, it's a crazy story. Like I said, somewhat similar to our quarterback. Just to see these two guys go out there and compete every week, man, it's an amazing sight to see.

Just to see them get to the point they were able to get to, be Heisman finalists, just receive the recognition they deserve, man, it's great.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: No, sir, not at all. I feel like that's a vital part of their offense that a lot of people like to underestimate, their running game. They got a lot of great backs. Like I said, the offensive line does a great job of opening up holes for those guys.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: We pride ourselves on being well-prepared, taking the game plan and execute it when we go out to practice every day.

A lot of people don't see the amount of time that it takes to be able to go out there and execute the kind of game plan that we have week in and week out.

We start on Monday, and it doesn't stop till kickoff. I think that's a very vital part of us being able to execute, is it doesn't stop until the kickoff starts. Even when the kickoff starts, we got a lot of in-game adjustments, things that we recognize that we can fix that we may have missed during the week.

I'd say in that realm, yeah.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: No, I did. That just comes from coming from high school, it's not the same amount of attention to detail, not the amount of time dedicated to the game. At least not with your coaches and your teammates. In high school, it's a lot of separate training with your seven-on-seven team here and there. When you're at this university, you dedicate all your time to being able to put into your craft.

I didn't foresee that obviously being an 18-year-old kid. But now I definitely notice the amount of work it takes to be able to get to this point.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: I would say every starter that we have this week. In particular, I would say Pop, (indiscernible), Smile, he's definitely stepped up. Warren Brinson. Z-Lo. Kamari. Malaki, of course. Of course on offense we got Stetson that's always stepped up for us. Kenny stepped up for us in a good way. Dillon Bell, guys like that.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: He's a dog. I see a lot of myself in Kamari, just the way he attacks the game, the way he approaches the game, the way he practices. He's an all-out kind of guy. That's what you're going to get out of Kamari, along with being a tremendous athlete with no fear. It's amazing combination. I'm grateful I'm able to share the field with him.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Malaki? Pretty much the same. A guy that practice really hard. The way he approaches the game, his attitude, the amount of maturity for being as young as he is, along with being a freak athlete. That's what a lot of people don't understand. He's a freak athlete on top of all those great qualities.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Staying consistent. Like I said, carrying over what he did from last year to this year. I wouldn't say he really too much changed anything. He's always one of those guys that's always going to keep a smile on his face, keep his head up high no matter what anybody has to say about him.

He always has a notepad, computer, watching film, things like that. That's something he was doing last year that he is doing this year. It'll continue to pay off for him and our team.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: They've been very impactful. Like I said, we got a lot of tremendous talent in those guys. The older guys being able to take those guys under our wing, show them the way. They just been very receptive of that. I love this freshman class. I love everybody on the team.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Which field goal? Ohio State?

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: First of all, our goal with every field goal, we want to block the kick. That was basically our main focus. Obviously we didn't block the kick, so after that we wanted the guy to miss. Fortunately enough he missed the field goal.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: That's definitely something you think about. At the end of the game, eight seconds left, this is pretty much the deciding factor in the game. Definitely something you think about.

But you hope for the best outcome for your team, yeah.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Just run. Just run. Everybody just start running all over the place. Everybody happy. There was a lot of emotions during the game. Just run.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: I'd say probably neck-and-neck, if not number one just 'cause, you know, the way that game went, how close it was. It was just crazy, man. It was a roller coaster ride, for sure.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: With me? Like I said, I'm running around finding somebody to hug. A lot of excitement. Just overwhelming amount of joy. You work so hard to be able to get to that point, being able to win in that way, it was just crazy.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Yeah, I would say so. Like you said, the environment, the emotions of the game. When you get to this point of the year, that's kind of what you hope for as a fan, as a team. You want to play a good game. Just another great team.

I would say it definitely gave that atmosphere a little bit.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: I would say maybe a little moment. Our main focus is, like I said, putting that game to bed, handle business like we were supposed to, now we have to focus on handling business again. That was the main focus.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Yeah, definitely a testament. Very close game, a lot of intensity. When you get to a game, a situation like that, just everybody landing on the line playing their hearts out, there's definitely a lot of emotion.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Yeah, Stetson is always very impressive, just the way he carries his-self, the way he goes about the game, the way he approaches it. He's always been impressive to me, just the amount of talent that he has. The way he runs the offense, man, it's a sight to see, for sure.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: It's a lot of moments. I mean, I pretty much knew he was like that. But my favorite moment for him from this season was when we played Tennessee and he ran in the ball and he did that little (indiscernible) gesture. My favorite moment. Shows the amount of swag that he has, the way he approaches the game, how he carries his-self.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Yeah, definitely important. Obviously the quarterback is one of the main leaders of the team. He does a great job of taking on that role, pushing guys in the right direction.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: I just answered this. I want a bad haircut because I can cover it up with the little bit of hair that I have. I'd have a bad haircut.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: I don't know. Ask the next question.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: It means the world. Just a testament to all the work we've put in to be able to get to this point. Like I said, for us to get to this point, have the opportunity to go out there and play for another national championship back to back, I couldn't be more thankful. I'm hoping for a great outcome.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: The most famous person on my phone? Kelee Ringo and Eric Stokes.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Oh, okay. First of all we got to put the bulldog at the top. I'm going bull frog and horned frog last.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Because it seems like a good combination of a bulldog and a frog.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: EST Gee, Future, NoCap, Chez Soi, YoungBoy, Lil Durk, guys like that.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Feel great. For this game to bring us so far, these amount of heights. Like I say, Coach Schu missing earlier in the week. This game of football has brought us to this city with such a great spectacle, man, it's a great sight for sure.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: I mean, start off on Instagram. The kind of mentality I have on the field, I just want to be a soldier. Some of the guys started calling me Soldier. I just took on the name. You see I have this soldier on the back of it, little soldier hat here. That's the kind of the mentality I have when I step on the field, bro.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: I would just say his whole journey overall. Him being here, him leaving, taking the opportunity at a junior college, him coming back and being resilient, showing that kind of determination and perseverance that he has, man.

It just shows the kind of attitude he has with not only his approach to the game but anything in life, anything he put his mind to, he feel like he going to accomplish, he going to do everything he can to accomplish that goal, yeah.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Like I said, that just goes to the mental preparation he puts into the game. Like I said, we can kind of fool him once. Might get him twice if it's a new call or something like that.

If he sees something enough times, he going to be able to have that down pat. He's going to be able to get the offense in the best possible position during the defensive play call.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: First of all, just his attitude and approach to the game. Like I said, very humble guy, doesn't say too much. He just put his head down and go to work. Like I said, tremendous athlete, just like a lot of guys that we have here.

Those are a lot of things that stand out to me. Like I said, he's such a hard worker, man. I think a lot of the guys, especially a lot of the younger guys that we have, came in, took on that hard-work-first mentality right off the bat. That's part of culture we've been able to build here.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: JaCorey, freak athlete, super strong. He's such a fun spirit, happy-go-lucky guy. Whenever you meet him, he'll put a smile on your face, for sure.

I am glad I had the opportunity to meet a lot of those younger guys, build the relationship with them. I couldn't ask for anything more. The relationship, connection I have with everyone on the team, it's just been great, for sure.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Who would play me in a movie?

Q. (No microphone.).

CHRIS SMITH: I'm kind of a funny guy. I'm going to do with my favorite comedian and may Mike Epps.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Like I say, he one of my favorite actors. I like a lot of his standup. I feel like I'm pretty funny. I'm a little funny, so I want him to play me. I want to kind of a fun kind of role.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Oh, I want a comedy movie, so I would give Stetson Will Ferrell.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: You say how does it feel?

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: For me, it's pretty much the same. When you go through an entire team and able to make it back to this point, just to see you're hard work pay off, you get the opportunity to be the final two teams going out there to put a show on for the world, man, definitely a lot of emotions. I wouldn't say it's any less emotions. Definitely both up there for me, for sure.

Q. (No microphone.).

CHRIS SMITH: Main difference I would say location, just changing time zones. I think we had to go through, like, three time zones to be able to get here. I would say that's pretty much the main difference.

Obviously facing a different team, different opponent. Those are the main differences.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Yeah, it's definitely great, man. Those guys bring the intensity on Bloody Tuesday. They let us know that's what this program has been built on. We take on the mindset of those guys. They come with a lot of intensity as well as everybody else on the team, man.

That just comes with the culture that starts off with Coach Smart, Coach Muschamp, Coach Schu. We got a tremendous coaching staff that gets us in that mode to be able to get ready for practice on those days.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: First of all, definitely a sight to see. My second time out here in Cali. On the plane we had the lay-down beds. First time on that. I was well-rested. Just being able to get out here with the guys and the team. The places that this game has been able to take me, man, it's amazing. I can't thank this team, this university, everybody that helped me get here, enough.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: It's definitely an unfamiliar feeling. Like I said, this is our second time here, back to back. Something that hasn't really been done.

Me personally, I don't feel like there's any underdogs in this game just 'cause both teams are obviously great teams. If not, they wouldn't be in this position.

Like I said, I know on Monday we going to get their best shot and they going to get ours. It's going to be a great game.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Okay, obviously Stetson is the hero. He's the quarterback. Who would be the villain? I would say Nolan Smith would be the villain. Nolan would probably be the villain, yeah.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Who could play the role of Coach Smart? I'm going to say Mark Wahlberg. Curvy little bowl cut. I would say Mark would probably do a good job.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: That's a good one. I'd say the Classic City Dogs, something like that.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: I like movies. I kind of want to be an actor a little bit, so...

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Well, we just got here yesterday so I haven't been able to see everything out here this time. Last time I came for spring break. Just the scenery, it's just great scenery. Very chill vibes out here. They got a lot of good food. They got the beach out here, man. They got everything to ask for out here, so yeah.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Yeah, I heard of that. I haven't been. I want to try some. Y'all got some around here? I want to be able to try some (laughter).

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: We didn't go yet. I think we get the opportunity to go later after this. I know it's going to be great, man. I see all the pictures of it. I can't even begin to explain what it looks like, man. I just looks crazy. Big screen on top. They got a lot of metal all over the place. I know they got open areas and stuff like that.

When we able to get in there, I know it's going to be one of the best stadiums I ever seen, just seeing it from pictures, seeing the Rams playing there, the Chargers, as well.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: First of all, I just want to let them know how thankful we are for them. That means so much to where this program has been able to go and where it's going.

They don't understand how much they help us. I love the fans. That's who we do it for, along with our brothers and our team and our family. Everybody is a vital part to our success.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: I would just say the biggest way we got different players, somewhat contributing. Losing a lot of guys that we lost to the draft, all those amazing players we had, we've been able to replace them with just as amazing players.

I would say the biggest difference is the names and the faces. Culture ain't changed much. Our goals ain't changed much. We always had the same mentality since we stepped foot in this building.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: I definitely feel like it's going to play a vital part. Like I say, I feel like experience is one of the most important things you can have, especially when you're doing something for the second, third time. I definitely feel like it's going to come through in the clutch for us.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: I'm not really tired of it. There's always going to be questions about your team no matter what position you're in.

Like I said, we going to do everything we can to go out there and execute to the best of our ability no matter what. No matter what anyone has to say, we know the amount of work we've put in to be in this position. We're going to continue to put that work in no matter what anybody say.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Definitely important. Tackling is the name of the game. We pride ourselves on being great tacklers, not missing many tackles. It's definitely going to play a vital part in the game on Monday.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: He reminds me a lot. They got somewhat kind of similar stories, things like that. Both of them being Heisman finalists. You just know the team runs through Stetson and I'm pretty sure their team runs through Max. You can tell the way he ills them to win games, the amount of toughness and determination he has, it's definitely admirable.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: As I said, his toughness and determination. As I said, he has a lot of arm talent, make a lot of decisions. He has a good ability to extend plays. Like I say, he does a great job of getting the ball to his receivers so they can make plays.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: It just shows how great he has been. He continues to want to be a vital part of our team, like he has been all year.

What was the second part of the question?

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: I would say somewhat. You always remember those big plays that you make. As I said, you always want to take the time to acknowledge the great things you've done in this game.

I would say I could see how someone could get overwhelmed with someone always constantly bringing up one thing that they've done. You want to be able to top that thing.

As I said, he made an amazing play and he wants to continue to make great plays. I'm pretty confident he'll be able to do that.

Q. (No microphone.)

CHRIS SMITH: Yeah, yeah. I mean, it's happened to me, too. I appreciate the love. I always cherish all the great moments that I've had in this game 'cause you never know how many you'll be able to get.

Definitely always continue to cherish any moment, any great play I've made always.