Georgia players admit: Tennessee safety Eric Berry is one of the best in college football, and Volunteer defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin is a legend.

But they’re not bypassing breakfast because of the notion.

“They still do the same things that other teams do,” said quarterback Joe Cox.

Kiffin, who’s son Lane is the head man at Tennessee, joined the Volunteer staff after 26 years as an assistant coach in the NFL. Frequently described as a defensive genius and innovator, Kiffin’s defenses cause turnovers by disguising schemes and lining up play after play, hitting with tenacity.

“Their defense is very stingy,” said Georgia safety Bryan Evans, who grew up a Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan, where Kiffin won the Super Bowl in 2003 as a defensive coordinator. “Every one of their games, even the ones they lose, are close. The Florida game, they were supposed to give up 50 points, and Florida struggled to score what they did, 26.”

Georgia’s already played two former NFL head coaches this season, Bobby Petrino at Arkansas and Dennis Erickson at Arizona State, winning both games.

“It’s not like because he was an NFL coach that they will have defenses that we’ve never seen,” Cox said. “A lot of these people we’ve played against were a head coach in the NFL. It’s the same stuff. He does do things differently than other people – not every coordinator is going to have the same tendencies or have the same base defense they like to run.”

Tennessee, on average, gives up 278 yards a game – 80 yards less than Georgia’s defense.

Most of the success is traced to Berry.

He has 13 career interceptions, and a list of accolades that reads like a “Who’s who in college football.”

“He just has a nose for the football,” King said. “He’s probably the best safety in the country.”

Berry is versatile – Georgia coach Mark Richt said he could play linebacker, cornerback and even wide receiver or tailback. Listed at 5-foot-11, 203-pounds, Berry is big enough to add support against the run, but has the quickness to cover receivers one-on-one in pass defense.

“It’s fun watching him play, because he can do so many things,” Evans said. “There is just so much stuff he does, so much freedom. A lot of players wish they had the opportunity.”

Among college football players, Berry is the active leader in interceptions, and the SEC leader in interception return yards. But this season, under Kiffin, he plays closer to the line-of-scrimmage.

“He’s a very physical football player,” said Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo. “If you’re not running behind your pads, he’ll cut you in half. I mean he’ll deliver a blow.”

Still, Georgia offensive players indicated they aren’t preparing specifically to beat Berry, who has started all 31 games in his career.

“Well, I mean you’ve definitely got to know where he is, but it’s not something where I think anybody is intimidated of him. He is a great player, he has a great nose for the ball, he is all over the field,” Cox said. “You’ve got to know where he is at all times, but it’s not like you play scared to throw towards his side or run the ball that way. I mean, that’s not something that’s going to happen, but he will be accounted for.”

Georgia cornerback Brandon Boykin grew up near Berry in Atlanta and said he had a deep respect for his SEC peer. But that he also is “definitely” tired of hearing about him, and noted that Tennessee is a team comprised of more than just Berry.

“The emphasis is not on Eric Berry,” he said. “They are a team just like we are. Eric puts his pants on just like everybody else does. He’s not Superman, but a great player.”