Nick Saban shares intuition on Georgia-Texas with comments on Steve Sarkisian, Kirby Smart
Steve Sarkisian and Kirby Smart both come from the Nick Saban school of coaching from their Alabama days. If anyone, it would be the former Crimson Tide head coach who knows what the promising clash holds between Texas and Georgia.
And the ESPN analyst let the cat out of the bag about the biggest strength both coaches have in the upcoming matchup. During his appearance on the Pat McAfee show, Saban stated the biggest advantages Sarkisian and Smart would have against each other.
Speaking about Sarkisian, Saban said, “He’s had his offensive staff together for a long time so they know they’re going to have to make adjustments in the game because of his respect for Kirby and the way Kirby will play defense. What he’ll (Smart) try to do on defense is going to be something a little bit different that they’ll have to adjust to. But having a staff on offense that’s been together for a long time I think allows them to do that.”
Although Saban confessed Smart was a “little concerned about how they play defense” and that the Dawgs’ tackling is not what it used to be, but that Smart’s ability to keep his emotions at bay and focus on his job during the game is the real deal.
“I think Kirby is got a really good ability to be technical when things aren’t going exactly right I think you know sometimes all the rest of us outside of you know the fans and some of the people you know react a little more emotionally but you know the real key to the drill is is I think when teams when things aren’t going well with your team you have to sit down and be Technical and show them these are the things we need to improve on not get emotional,” Saban said.
Kirby Smart’s biggest advantage
What Saban said holds completely true for the Georgia head coach. Smart doesn’t believe in giving into the widespread narratives or popular beliefs. Rather, he would just get on the field and play the game.
“I don’t get caught up in, ‘well, if this happens or that happens this is what they’re playing for,” Smart said earlier this week to the Atlanta-Journal Constitution.
“They’re gonna say that for every game for every team the rest of the way. Really, you’re playing the long game. The long game is who can be the best teams at the end of the year? You’re trying to be one of the best 12 teams, and how that aligns with this game is not relevant,” Smart said, explaining that he’s focusing on the long-run.
Keeping the bigger picture in mind, Georgia has already lost one to Alabama. If they want to continue in the playoff talks, this game will be a must-win.