"Don't have time to waste energy on the issue": Kirby Smart slams Georgia player celebrating with Ole Miss fans after the loss

The Kirby Smart-coached Georgia Bulldogs lost their second game of the college football season on Saturday. Following the game, Bulldogs sophomore safety Jake Pope seemingly celebrated with Ole Miss fans.

Smart said this about the incident on Monday:

"What an idiot. Just stupid. I didn't see it until today. He is embarrassed about it. He is upset about it. That's clearly a childhood friend of his. They grew up and played with him at Buford (High School in Georgia). Had not seen him in forever. Just not real smart.

"But to be honest, I don't have time to waste energy on the issue. You know what I am saying. My focus is on Tennessee. I am not all that worried about that.”

Pope apologized to his fellow players, coaches and fans on social media.

---

What's next for Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs?

Kirby Smart and the No. 11 Georgia Bulldogs (7-2, 5-2 Southeastern Conference) have a tough game to navigate in Week 12 of the college football season. Following a 28-10 blowout loss at the then-No. 16 Ole Miss Rebels that dropped them nine spots in the AP poll, the Bulldogs have a must-win game versus the visiting No. 7 Tennessee Volunteers (8-1, 5-1) on Saturday.

Georgia was No. 3 in the initial College Football Playoff poll last week, with new rankings dropping Tuesday night.

Kirby Smart must make some tough decisions before the game against Tennessee. He must figure out the situation at QB1 as Carson Beck hasn't looked up to the program's standards in recent weeks.