Sooners' Lincoln Riley: 'Throw Georgia in the Big 12 ... no way they are a top five defense in the country'

Unlike his predecessor, Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley has steered clear of making offseason waves for the most part.

Appearing on an ESPNU Radio show Tuesday, Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley said Georgia would not be a top five defense in the country if it played a Big 12 schedule. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman

Bob Stoops made it a habit of poking at the SEC in particular over the offseason for a couple years, most notably in 2013 when he called the SEC's reputation the result of "propaganda that gets fed to you."

When Riley appeared on ESPNU Radio on SiriusXM Tuesday, he probably wasn't looking to make waves when discussing his team, the Georgia team that beat the Sooners in the Rose Bowl and the Big 12 with Danny Kannell and Taylor Zarzour.

From OU head coach Lincoln Riley just now on @ESPNUonSiriusXM talking with me and @TaylorZarzour about how difficult it is to play defense in the Big 12:



"If you throw Georgia in the Big 12 every year there is no way they are a Top 5 defense in the country" — Danny Kanell (@dannykanell) July 3, 2018





Last season, Georgia finished No. 6 in the nation in total defense with 294.9 yards allowed per game and scoring defense with 16.4 points allowed per game.

At least one college football site, FootballScoop.com, took Riley's words as "taking a shot" at Georgia.

It didn't take Riley long to fire back.