Kirby Smart wasn’t about to get dragged into controversy about his preference for the future site of Georga-Florida game.

The two universities have already announced that they’ve extended the contract to play at TIAA Bank Field through 2025 before deciding what to do for the two years (2026 and 2027) while the stadium is undergoing its multi-billion-dollar renovation.

“I don't really think about it anymore. We are where we are,” Smart said. “That really has not crossed my mind besides the off-season, when I get asked about it. I’m a lot more concerned with how we play than where we play.”

Senior center Sedrick Van Pran had a bit of a different take when asked what he’d like to see.

“The neutral site game is fun. I have enjoyed playing in it,” Van Pran said. “I think it’s an amazing atmosphere. But I don’t think the home-and-home series would be bad; I don’t. I think it would add some fire to the series. Playing Florida in Sanford Stadium, I can only imagine the noise and vice versa in The Swamp. Who could imagine the sounds that would come out of those places?”

Safety Javon Bullard said the game will continue to be intense, wherever it is played.

"This is old-fashioned hate. Georgia vs. Florida is one of the biggest rivalries ever. It was that way before I got here, and it's going to continue to be that way after I leave,” Bullard said. “If this game doesn't get you amped up to play football, I don't know what will. It's special. We have a lot of Florida guys on our team. I know it's special for them as well. Me being a Georgia boy, it's damn sure special for me. We have to do whatever we can to come out with the victory."

Smart seemed to agree.

“Our players love playing in this neutral site game. It’s different in terms of the start, the stands, the split crowd,” he said. “It seems to be a momentum-flow type game. The team that has momentum is really at home for that moment. It goes back and forth. It’s definitely a game of momentum swing.”

Smart said he’s seen no indication that Carson Beck’s Homecoming start against Florida has made him any more antsy than he might ordinarily be.

“Nothing from last week. I thought he was good last week, and he continues to work on the things that are going to give us a chance to win,” Smart said. “That’s him being accurate, him making good decisions, him putting us in right plays. He's a bright kid. Sees a lot of defense in the off-season and walk-throughs here. When you see a lot of defense, you've been exposed to a lot of things. That gives him confidence.

He knows it's not all on him. He has people around him to help him.”

Smart said the message to Beck will be no different than normal.

“It’s all about working and executing within the offense which is what we’re going to ask Carson to do, play within the offense,” Smart said. “He’s a quarterback with a lot of experience under his belt. I know he’ll be excited to play in Jacksonville.”

Center Sedrick Van Pran drew some chuckles when asked if his 6-yard rumble following a fumble against Vanderbilt should have been credited as a rush to the senior center.

The play went for a team rush.

“I don’t care what anybody says, I have a rush,” Van Pran smiled. “At some point, I’ll get that (picture) framed and it will be in my house forever.”

For the record, Van Pran did take credit for the fumble.

“That was my fault,” he said. “I messed it up.”

Smart does not like questions that revolve around speculation, so he was not about to get pulled into a conversation about the rehab specifics of tight end Brock Bowers and when he might return.

“I’m not going to focus on that right now,” Smart said. “I think it’s all speculation and I’m not getting into the speculation part of it. The most important thing right now is our guys and getting prepared for Florida.”

… The SEC announced that the Nov. 4 game in Athens between Missouri and Georgia will kick off at 3:30 p.m. on CBS.

…Smart said he’s absolutely not worried about Oscar Delp as he figures to receive more responsibilities with the loss of Bowers.

“Oscar’s been fine. We’re not asking Oscar to do anything else that he’s not ordinarily asked to get done, nor have we anybody else,” said Smart, who added that Bowers has been able to watch practice while he rehabs his ankle following last week’s tightrope surgery.

“Brock’s been at walkthroughs, he’s been out there with the team, some of it last week, some of it at different times,” Smart said.

…Florida quarterback Graham Mertz has been sacked 19 times, but Smart said any success his Bulldogs can garner against him will not depend solely on their pressure.

“It’s never all about pressure. It’s about controlling the line of scrimmage and not giving up explosives,” Smart said. “Who doesn't let somebody run the ball and not give up explosives, that’s what you’re looking for. That’s what football has become, a game of explosives.”

…Smart called Florida running backs Montrell Johnson Jr. (85 carries for 458 yards) and Trevor Etienne (69-428) “As good of backs as we’ve seen.”

…Smart said he’s not worried about his team dealing with any stress over its 24-game winning streak, starting with Saturday’s game against the rival Gators.

“What consumes me is how we’re going to gain a yard, what we’re going to do in certain situations, what we’re going to do at practice,” Smart said. “I can’t speak for every kid on the team, but the focus is not on the wins and losses and the games. I’ve said all the time, that’s going to come to an end. Streaks come to an end at some point. When it does, we’ll worry about the next game. But I don’t think you can be consumed with that thought process or think that way. We’ve got to think about what you can do to help your team win.”

…Smart on the progress of cornerbacks Daylen Everette and Julian Humphrey: “I think (Everette) is starting to play with a little more confidence. He’s got to go out there and make some plays with his back to the ball. He’s had a couple of big stops in games. He’s a good physical tackler and not afraid of contact,” Smart said. “Julian as well. He's played a considerable amount of minutes. Got a lot of work with Kamari being up and down and having some injuries over there. He's got a lot of work in practice. So, the two of those guys, I look at them as co-starters and continue to improve and get better.”