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ATHENS, Ga. Noah Fant Jersey . -- 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 Drew Lock Womens Jersey . The team says the Spain international has a muscle pull in his right leg. Barcelona hosts third-division side Cartagena in the return leg of their round-of-32 tie after winning their first meeting 4-1. Terrell Davis Womens Jersey .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. http:///...ter-Broncos-Jerseys/ .com) - The red-hot Los Angeles Kings will try to extend their winning streak to a season-high seven games when they visit the Edmonton Oilers for Sundays clash at Rexall Place. GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Arizona Coyotes have renewed their affiliation agreement with the ECHLs Rapid City Rush.The Coyotes announced the one-year deal Thursday.Rapid City is a first class organization and we are looking forward to another great season, Coyotes general manager John Chayka said.The South Dakota team is entering its third seasonn in the 28-team ECHL. DeMarcus Ware Jersey. Mark DeSantis will be the Rushs head coach after serving as associate coach last season.The Coyotes recently moved their AHL farm club from Springfield, Massachusetts, to Tucson. ' ' '