ATHENS, Ga. -- Kirby Smarts first year as Georgias coach has hardly been a rousing success.If anything, the Bulldogs took a step back after dumping Mark Richt.That raises the stakes even higher for the regular-season finale against Georgia Tech.Especially to our older fan base, the history of this rivalry is really important to a lot of people, Smart said Monday. Its really important to me. Its really important to this team.Beating Georgia Tech was never much of an issue for Richt, whose teams won 13 of 15 meetings against the Yellow Jackets. In fact, the Bulldogs probably have more heated rivalries with Southeastern Conference foes such as Florida and Auburn.But this is the one game Georgia fans dread losing more than any other.Smart is certainly aware of that heading into Saturdays contest between the hedges.A lot of passion and energy goes into this game on both sides of it, he said. We tell our kids all the time: `Youre remembered by what your senior class does and what your record is against Georgia Tech.Georgia hired Smart to win a championship, something Richt had not done in a decade, but the Bulldogs (7-4) didnt come close to accomplishing that goal in Year 1. Maybe thats to be expected from someone who had never been a head coach. Smart will be the first to acknowledge that its been a bit of a learning curve, having to deal with everything from practice schedules to player discipline to split-second decisions on game day.There are a lot of things that you learn, he said. You learn more about yourself. You learn about your team. You learn about your staff. You learn about things you like, things you dont like.Smart wants to build a program that dominates on the offensive and defensive lines, which is way his former boss, Nick Saban, does things at Alabama. But the Bulldogs are still several recruiting classes away from reaching that goal, which has been especially evident in their struggles to establish a running game.Even with the dynamic backfield duo of Nick Chubb and Sony Michel, Georgia ranks only ninth in the SEC at 179.5 yards rushing per game. The play-calling of offensive coordinator Jim Chaney has also raised some eyebrows, most notably in a shocking home loss to Vanderbilt.Smart said some of the biggest changes hes been pushing are not apparent to those on the outside, and wouldnt necessarily pay immediate dividends.The practice intensity with which we go at things Monday through Friday is a big culture change that Im trying to set, he said. We are going to get work done these days and were going to work really hard and you have to trust that expending this energy, youre going to get to recover on Thursday afternoon, Friday and Saturday before the games. And then as the season goes on, we try to cut back so that youre fresh for the game and you dont wear yourself out.For Smart, its also important to remain flexible, even while recognizing that there are certain standards that will be the same for every team.This team is different than the next team will be, he said. This teams got 11 seniors. This teams really young. Id like to think we are eventually going to have a mature team thats got guys that have played a lot, and I think you treat each team differently.Offensive guard Greg Pyke insists that Smarts philosophy is beginning to take hold, even if it doesnt necessarily show in the statistics.If you turn on the game and watch, as a team were just more physical, Pyke said. Ive really noticed that. Especially in my position group, you want to be very physical and control the line of scrimmage.If nothing else, Smarts energy and enthusiasm is apparent to everyone.I see all these photos of him jumping around on the sideline, Pyke said. Its like hes playing a game out there. He just brings that passion. He wants the guys on the team to do well not only in football but in life.While there has been some grumbling among Georgia fans about the record this season, Smart is the recipient of widespread support and an understanding that its going to take time to put his stamp on the program.Of course, a loss to Georgia Tech would undoubtedly erode some of that goodwill.---Follow Paul Newberry on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pnewberry1963 . His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/paul-newberry .---For more AP college football coverage: www.collegefootball.ap.org Womens Air VaporMax 2018 .S. Open champion Justin Rose birdied the first hole with a blind shot he hit to a foot of the pin, and he stayed in front Tuesday until he completed a 4-under 67 for a two-shot lead over Jason Dufner in PGA Grand Slam of Golf. Cheap Air VaporMax China . Anthony Calvillo, through 20 CFL seasons, was frequently invincible and largely stoic in the heat of competition. But underneath the professional exterior he was, and is, compellingly human. http://www.cheapairvapormaxfreeshipping.com/ . -- Playing time has been limited for Maxim Tissot this season, so the Montreal Impact defender made the most of his first scoring opportunity on Saturday. Red Air VaporMax 2018 On Sale . Cote was eligible to become a free agent Feb. 15. Cote helped running back Jon Cornish run for a league-high 1,813 rushing yards en route to being named the leagues most outstanding player. Cheap Air VaporMax 2018 . The 25-year-old Japanese star has officially been posted by his club team, the Rakuten Golden Eagles. Minimizing turnovers fueled West Virginias unbeaten start. Coughing up the ball ended it.Quarterback Skyler Howard was responsible for all three of the Mountaineers turnovers last week that allowed Oklahoma State to score 17 points in the Cowboys 37-20 win.One loss on the road halted weeks of momentum that had thrust the Mountaineers into the national conversation after starting the season unranked.With a conference title very much up for grabs, No. 14 West Virginia (6-1, 3-1 Big 12) has a chance to replenish its confidence at home against Kansas (1-7, 0-5) on Saturday before embarking on a tough four-week stretch to finish the regular season.While playing the Jayhawks might seem like a breather compared to what lies ahead, including games against No. 12 Oklahoma and No. 13 Baylor, coach Dana Holgorsen wont put up with anything but his teams best preparations to play a last-place team.If you pin your whole season off of one loss, then theres going to be 99 percent disappointed people across the country. Its college football, Holgorsen said. It happens. What you have to do is you have to use it as motivation to go out there and practice harder, prepare harder.The offenses struggles against Oklahoma State were a bit of a surprise. West Virginia had no turnovers in its two previous games and Howard had previously thrown four interceptions all season.All three turnovers Saturday ended up giving Oklahoma State the ball inside West Virginias 20, although one of his interceptions bounced off a receivers hands.West Virginias veteran offensive line has allowwed nine sacks in its last two games.dddddddddddd Holgorsen blamed some of those on Howard. His second-quarter fumble against the Cowboys came as he was in the grasp of Vincent Taylor, who had gotten around guard Grant Lingafelter.Offensive line coach Ron Crook wants his linemen to finish blocks better. And Holgorsen wants his quarterback to protect the football, keep his eyes downfield not try to shoulder the responsibilities of an entire offense.Nobody has higher expectations for him than him, Holgorsen said. He probably needs to reduce a little pressure that he puts on himself and go out there and just play the game. Thats a good quality that he has. Its our job to make sure those dont get too high for him.Center Tyler Orlosky said he expects Howard to bounce back quickly.Hes a competitor, Orlosky said. Hes a guy that is going to come out this week I think in practice and be that leader we need. Hell get guys going and hell be focused and hell be locked in.Howard said getting ready for heavy underdog Kansas will be no different than other games. He said whats different is outsiders perceptions of playing Kansas or FCS Youngstown State earlier this season.People thought, obviously, that we have Youngstown this week, were OK. We dont have to practice as hard. We dont have to do the little things, he said. And thats not the truth. You do have to do the little things.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org ' ' '
