Kirby Smart Makes His Opinion on Texas, Steve Sarkisian Extremely Clear

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Eric Nacach | Last updated Jul 15, 2025 12:40 PM ET

SEC Media Week is underway, marking the first time fans get to hear from coaches and players since the conclusion of last season. Monday was highlighted by LSU coach Brian Kelly and Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin, among others.

Turning the page, Georgia Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart kicked off a loaded media day on Tuesday, followed by Auburn's Hugh Freeze, Tennessee's Josh Heupel and lastly Texas's Steve Sarkisian.

Smart and Sarkisian provided the college football world with two intense face-offs last season, as Georgia handed Texas its first loss of the season on their home field, 30-15 in Week 7, before eventually meeting again in the SEC Championship Game. That meeting turned out to be an OT thriller, as Georgia QB Carson Beck went down with an elbow injury right before halftime, leaving the Bulldogs' fate in the hands of backup QB Gunner Stockton, who eventually led his team to victory.

Meanwhile, during his media day segment, Smart provided his outlook on Texas for the upcoming year, having held a 2-0 record against them last season, and shared his feelings on their coach, Sarkisian.

"I think to beat a good football team, you have to be a sound football team yourself. I didn't overlap with Sark - that I remember - at Alabama. So we weren't there at the same time. But I have tremendous respect for him and his program and the job that they do," said Smart. "To beat good teams, you have to be a good team. We had a good football team last year, so did they. It is not about us as coaches; it is really about the players and what you believe in. We have a lot of really good football teams to play next year, not just Texas, so we have to prepare for all of them.”

Georgia and Texas are set to meet on Nov. 15 in Athens, Georgia, where Texas will seek its first win against the Bulldogs since joining the SEC in 2024.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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