ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia will battle Oklahoma on New Year’s Day in the College Football Playoff, and that means facing the probable Heisman Trohpy winner: Baker Mayfield.
Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart was asked about facing Mayfield on the Rose Bowl coaches teleconference Sunday afternoon, and he was very complimentary.
“We haven’t played any Heisman Trophy winners,” Smart said, adding that he’s the best quarterback Georgia has faced this season.
Smart was also quick to compare Mayfield to NFL legend Brett Favre:
Kirby Smart on Mayfield: It's almost like when you watch Brett Favre back in the day, but a better athlete ... he's a gunslinger ... .he enjoys the game and plays the game with so much passion. #Sooners
— Eric Bailey (@EricBaileyTW) December 3, 2017
SEC fans without question know Mayfield for his off-the-field antics, but he’s in the middle of an all-time great season on the field, too.
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He’s on pace to shatter his own NCAA single-season record for passing efficiency with a mark of 203.8 (previous high was 196.4). Adding to that, Mayfield has 4,340 passing yards to go with 41 touchdowns and just five interceptions.
Smart has been careful to not give Mayfield any extra bulletin-board material. Expect that to continue until these two teams meet at 5 p.m. ET on Jan. 1, 2018.
“He’s a phenomenal player that we’ll probably get to see and have a lot of sleepless nights over the next 30 days or so,” Smart said earlier in the day.
Cox Media Group
