Kirby Smart is all over the headlines and for all the right reasons. In his almost decade-old career at Georgia, Smart is finally getting the best out of the program. He has already cemented UGA as a formidable threat among the top-12 teams in the playoff even before the season has begun. This is what Mark Rodgers believed was the “golden standard” in the NCAA. Yes, the same Mark Rodgers who managed to get the two sensations of the CFB, Nick Saban and Kirby Smart, sit down together and talk.

“Well, how did you dominate college football? I learned it from watching you. I mean he was there at a front road seat to how Saban was obsessed about recruiting and defense and he’s done it and so Kirby’s become the gold standard of football,” Rodgers said, explaining why he thinks so. Smart’s on-field strategies have created all the hype surrounding him lately, like the negative play.

Since Kirby Smart left Alabama and Nick Saban, fans sensed a rivalry brewing between the two (partially because of Alabama and Georgia’s program rivalry). They thought that it would end now that Saban had retired. However, Saban’s recent comments prompted this assumed rivalry even further. Hence, Saban hurled a direct question at Smart, asking if he could make good plays in defense. Smart had a perfect answer for him.

Nick Saban and Kirby Smart’s heated exchange

This season, all eyes are set on Georgia. SEC preseason rankings rated Georgia as the most likely team to win the SEC championship and ESPN has ranked Kirby Smart as the No.1 head coach. To this, Nick Saban brought a blaring issue in the Georgia defense, which he thinks will be a sure-shot setback for Smart this season.

“Do they have the kind of playmakers up front? They are not going to get pushed around. But can they rush the passer? Can they create a lot of negative plays with the people that they have up front?” Saban asked Smart, presenting a challenge to him days before the 2024 season kicks off. However, knowing his mentor all too well, and knowing how to deal with it, thanks to his extensive experience, Smart was already prepared to answer the question.

During the Big 12 media day, Kirby Smart answered all the questions Saban had without actually mentioning him. “You’re always adapting. You have to adjust to them but you have to dictate to them as well if you sit back nowadays and let offenses dictate to you they can do enough things to drive down the field,” Smart said, reiterating how he is focused and prepared to make some solid negative plays this season. What do you think about this? Will Georgia stay true to their promise? Let us know in the comments.