"We have a lot of work to do. We have to continue to get better and we are going to be playing a team that has beat up on us pretty good since I have been here and beat up on Kentucky pretty good over the years."
Brooks was not amused last week when sophomore receiver Dicky Lyons told media members that Mississippi State was a game Kentucky not only would win, but "should win." Lyons had to do extra running in practice for his comments, but then he had eight catches for 117 yards and one score at Mississippi State.
He was not available to media members after the game, and Brooks said Sunday it was "day to day" on when Lyons would be available again for interviews "as we hug each other and talk to each other to find out where we are."
Brooks says he expects Lyons to play that well without the brash pregame talk.
"I don't need somebody to spout off and think they have to do it. He certainly got a little attention last week. He did back it up, but he also made one critical error when he busted a route," Brooks said.
That mistake led to an interception deep in Mississippi State territory that cost UK a scoring chance.
"It is a trade off. If somebody wants to talk about what he is going to do and then backs it up, then I will bring up things he didn't do. Otherwise, I would let it go and not bring up those things," Brooks said.
Georgia defense looked much better
Brooks did bring up that Georgia's defense looked much better in a 21-14 loss to Florida last week than it did in a narrow win over Mississippi State or loss to Vanderbilt. "Defensively, Georgia was back playing the defense it is known for," Brooks said. "For them to hold Florida's offense down like that is an impressive effort. They were very, very physical, too. We accepted the challenge of being more physical during our bye week and were more physical Saturday (at Mississippi State). But we have to get even more physical this week."
The Gators scored two first-half touchdowns against Georgia. However, the third score was a fumble return and the Bulldogs shut out Florida's offense in the second half . Florida's big-play offense had only three plays over 20 yards and 319 total yards against Georgia.
The Wildcats, last in the SEC in rushing, passing and overall defense, did limit Mississippi State to 24 yards rushing on 24 carries. However, the Bulldogs threw for 384 yards.
"I was very pleased with our front seven against the run. We used our hands, we swarmed the ballcarrier and we had more tackles for loss than we have had in a long time in the running game. To hold a SEC team to 24 yards rushing given we were giving up rushing yards by the bushels was very pleasing," Brooks said.
"We still had mistakes in our zone coverage. A couple of poor angles taken by defensive backs turned what should have been incomplete passes into 30 or 40 yard gains."
Injury Update
Offensive lineman Trai Williams has a high ankle sprain and is out indefinitely.
Receiver DeMoreo Ford suffered a concussion at Mississippi State but Brooks says he "will be ready to go by Tuesday."
Running back Tony Dixon is questionable for this week with a hamstring strain.
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Offensive guard Jason Leger is still "very questionable" for Georgia because of a shoulder injury.
Defensive lineman Jamil Paris is questionable as well with his knee injury.
Running back Rafael Little will do some rehab and conditioning work this week to see how his knee responds. Brooks lists him as doubtful for Georgia.
Receiver David Jones has a left shoulder strain and will miss practice a few days.
