The No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs will get some much-needed time off as they approach their bye week ahead of a matchup with the Florida Gators on October 30.

Despite the way Georgia has played so far, head coach Kirby Smart emphasized that he still felt like his team has many ways to improve. The Bulldogs will use Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to practice before the players get the weekend off.

“I don’t know that we are playing at our best, so we’re trying to play better,” said Smart on Tuesday. “I don’t look at it as worrying about losing our edge. This week I’m trying to sharpen our edge and get better. That is what we have an opportunity to do. We have a chance to create depth and improve players. Not one player on our team would tell you they don’t need to improve, and that starts with us coaches. Looking at ourselves, quality control, how can we improve. What can we do better to help our players be more successful?”

It is hard to find ways to critique a defensive unit that ranks first in most major categories in the SEC. Smart has preached about the defense being “elite or not.” They could force more turnovers. Through seven games, the Bulldogs only have only forced 10 turnovers, which is nothing to be ashamed of but it is in the middle of the pack compared to other FBS teams.

Georgia is quite thin at both receiver and defensive back so the bye week comes at the perfect time. Players like Christopher Smith, Jermaine Burton and Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint should all be available for the Florida game. Still, all eyes remain glued on JT Daniels’ status as he rehabs from a lat injury.

“JT (Daniels) pitch count has increased,” said Smart. “He got up to 65-70 throws yesterday with Ron, pain-free. He’s increasing distance, getting out further, I think he can run 45 yards and hopefully, I’ll know more today. We didn’t really practice yesterday, but we did a walk-through cleanup. He’ll hopefully get some quality reps and see what kind of velocity he’s got.”

As for George Pickens, he is not fully cleared yet but has been going through warmups and walkthroughs. Arian Smith could play too and add a vertical threat for Stetson Bennett against the Gators.

For Smart’s full bye-week presser: