Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs face a tough task on Saturday going up against the visiting Tennessee Volunteers in Athens, and College Gameday is in town for the affair. Ahead of the game, Smart was asked how he juggles some things offensively, especially when it comes to the box.

He used the opportunity pay a hidden tribute to legendary former college football coach Nick Saban. Smart and the former Alabama coach are quite familiar with each other. Smart served as a member of Saban’s staff at Alabama from 2007-15.  Alabama went 10-0 during regular season games after a loss 2008-2023, barring Saban’s first season.

Of course, Saban was on set.

“I learned from a really smart guy,” Smart joked when he replied to Pat McAfee.

When asked what his name was, he responded, “I can’t remember.”

“I learned from a really smart guy”

What’s his name..

“I can’t remember” 😂😂 ~ @KirbySmartUGA #CollegeGameDay pic.twitter.com/E5M8Trc1WW

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 16, 2024

Then, Smart went on to answer the original question on just how he does things in this particular category strategically.

“You try to do more with less,” Smart said. “So, you’ve got to strike blockers. You’ve got to play blocks inside. You can’t exchange one for one. If we ever exchange one for one, then we lose that down. So we’ve got to do a great job against the run with the box people we have there, and then everybody’s gotta close once they hand it.”

It will be interesting to watch just how this strategy… and the rest of Georgia’s game plan for that matter, pans out as the Bulldogs take on the Volunteers at 7:30 p.m. ET in Sanford Stadium.

Crissy Froyd

Crissy covers SEC football news for Saturday Down South.