ATHENS — The last time Georgia hosted Mississippi State, the Georgia Bulldogs came out in black jerseys. Georgia won that day 31-24, which took place back during the 2020 COVID season.

But based on what head coach Kirby Smart said on Tuesday night, don’t expect Georgia to repeat its outfit.

“I don’t think that has one thing to do with the fan base,” Smart said. “I just think that’s hokey pokey. I mean, it’s great for recruiting, and we may do it sometime. I mean, I’m not anti-doing it, but that shouldn’t do anything for your atmosphere.”

Georgia last wore an alternate jersey in the 2021 Peach Bowl win over Cincinnati. Georgia wore an alternate jerseys three times during the 2020 season.

But Georgia hasn’t worn an alternate jersey since then. The Bulldogs do have recruits wear things such as black jerseys and white helmets while on recruiting visits, but since the start of the 2021 season, Georgia has worn its traditional uniforms for home and road games.

“Some of the best places I’ve played, great atmosphere,” Smart said. “They never change their uniform, they’re traditionalist. If it takes changing the uniform to get people fired up, then I’m at the wrong place.”

There have been plenty of discussions around the game day atmosphere at Georgia following comments made by Smart this weekend, where Smart voiced his disappointment with the fan base.

Smart has stood by the comments that he made and stresses that Sanford Staidum is not some lingering issue but rather a recent problem.

“I said earlier last time about, we had coaches play here last year, said it was the greatest atmosphere they had ever been in,” Smart said. “And so for somebody to say that from outside, it’s not like it’s all wrong. It’s really relative to what time the game is and who the game is. But we can’t afford to do that. You know what I mean? We can’t do that.”

Part of Smart’s frustrations likely stems from the lack of juice in a rivalry game like Auburn. This weekend’s game could have a similar vibe as the Bulldogs are a 34-point favorite against Mississippi State.

But with recent upsets in college football and a spirited Tuesday practice that Smart praised as one of the best, he’s not worried about his team playing flat.

“We don’t rely on the motivation of others,” Smart said. “I got a great analogy. Somebody sent me and said, ‘if they’re doing a Netflix documentary on you this week, who would you want to watch it? And would they approve? Would you send it to your parents? Would you send it to an NFL team if they did a Netflix documentary on your performance and your pride, and how you practiced this week?’

“And I was shocked, they must all thought the Netflix documentary was  on them today, because they practiced as good as they have ever done. So just give them a little attention, and they eat it up.”

Georgia’s game against Mississippi State is set for a 4:15 p.m. ET kickoff on the SEC Network.

Kirby Smart shoots down any idea of alternate uniforms for motivation

ATLANTA – Voters in Georgia’s capital city are split over which presidential candidate has the best chance of winning their pivotal swing state in November.

“I see a lot more signs for Kamala than I do for Trump,” Atlanta resident Stephanie Roberts, who works at a financial advisory firm, told Fox News Digital. “However, go to the south, go to the more rural areas, and you will see a lot more Trump signs.”

Roberts, a Vice President Kamala Harris supporter herself, added, “I do feel like the energy is more positive for Kamala.”

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The Peach State could be critical to deciding the winner of the 2024 presidential race between Harris and former President Donald Trump.

The traditionally red Georgia has trended more favorably toward Democrats in recent years, particularly since Trump became the face of the GOP. Its pivotal turning point came in 2020, when President Biden won the state by just over 11,000 votes.

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“I think it’s going to be a tough call. I think the current polls are pretty tight,” said Atlanta resident Jose Malabo, who spoke with Fox News Digital in the city’s Piedmont Park.

“I think if people show up and vote in numbers, I think Kamala has an edge here.”

People who anticipated former President Trump would win, like Terry Davis, said Georgia is still a red state. (Fox News Digital)

Another person who only identified himself as Kevin said Harris would “definitely” win Georgia.

“She’s the best candidate, in my opinion, from what I’ve read. And I follow it closely,” he said.

However, despite Atlanta’s reputation as a blue stronghold, not everyone there agreed Harris would take the state – a testament to Georgia’s purple trends.

“Really, we’re a Republican state,” Tramel Simpson, a music producer, told Fox News Digital. “Most people who voted in 2020 were just voting non-Trump…it’s more of a decision now.”

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Atlanta resident Jose Malabo said voter turnout could be key to Vice President Kamala Harris winning. (Fox News Digital)

Atlanta resident Terry Davis also said Trump would “probably” win.

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“It seems like he has a fair amount of momentum in the state right now, and I think Georgia continues to be a red-leaning state despite its purple status in the last couple of cycles,” Davis said.

Another person who did not give their name simply told Fox News Digital, “I don’t know. It’s a close call.”

A group of Cherokee County firefighters have just returned from south Georgia where they were helping Hurricane Helene victims.

All of them talked about the incredible damage in south Georgia. They also talked about what a privilege it was to be able to lend a helping hand. 

“The wind was crazy. The amount of structural damage from the trees, roads being washed out, power lines across the roads, it was pretty bad,” said Cherokee County firefighter Johnny Fournier.

Helene swept through south Georgia with a vengeance, leaving a wide path of damage in its wake, and local first responders working around the clock helped those in their community. 

“They served for multiple days, no sleep. So, we came in,” said Battalion Chief Scott Gwinn. 

Nine members of Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services went to Hazelhurst in Jeff Davis County to assist. 

“Provided some more resources for them to allow them to go home and take care of their own people,” said Chief Gwinn. 

They fought fires and responded to medical calls, like usual. But they say it was different doing it in an area they weren’t familiar with.

“To run calls in a county you know nothing about, you don’t know any of the people, and just being able to help strangers was very rewarding,” said Fournier.

In the midst of it all, Firefighter Nick Janflone was able to get to know some of the locals.

“While I was down there, I did get close with a 12-year-old boy who was the son of a firefighter down there. It was impressive to see him working hard and doing everything he could to help,” said Janflone.

Cherokee County’s EMA Director Rebecah Logan also went to south Georgia to help, just north of where the firefighters were stationed. 

She saw the destruction the moment she pulled into town and got to work.

“I was assigned to [Soperton in Treutlen County]. They just needed help. It’s a very small community, small county. I was thinking, ‘What do I need to do to get these people help to survive and live and continue on after this hurricane?’” said Logan. 

“I think everybody came together with a servant’s heart, wanting to serve, wanting to run calls. Everybody did a great job,” said Chief Gwinn. 

Cherokee County Fire Chief Eddie Robinson said it was an honor to stand by our fellow Georgians during their difficult time.