Steve Sarkisian’s covert strategy to surpass Kirby Smart of Georgia

As the Texas Longhorns head into the 2025 season, head coach Steve Sarkisian finds himself under immense pressure to return the program to prominence. Despite Texas’ rich football history, the Longhorns have struggled to live up to their potential since the days of Mack Brown. Sarkisian, hired in 2021 to lead Texas back to the top of the college football world, has made progress, but 2025 could be the year that defines his tenure.

On the other side, Kirby Smart, head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs, has established himself as one of the premier coaches in college football, leading Georgia to national championships and consistently competing at the highest level. Sarkisian’s goal of returning Texas to national championship contention inevitably pits him against Smart, the standard-bearer in college football today.

What many may not realize is that Sarkisian’s strategy to surpass Kirby Smart is not simply a matter of improving his own program; it involves a sophisticated, covert plan designed to outsmart Smart’s tactics and blueprint for success. This strategy hinges on various critical areas, including player development, recruiting, utilizing the NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) landscape, and making tactical in-game decisions. To break it down, let’s explore how Steve Sarkisian’s strategy to surpass Kirby Smart could unfold.

1. The Development of Quarterbacks: Sarkisian’s Advantage

At the core of Sarkisian’s strategy is quarterback play. While Georgia’s success under Smart has been rooted in dominant defense and a balanced offensive attack, Sarkisian has a distinct advantage in his offensive mindset and his ability to develop quarterbacks. Smart’s success has been achieved largely by relying on a strong running game and a defense-first mentality, with quarterbacks like Stetson Bennett managing the offense.

However, Sarkisian understands the value of a truly elite quarterback—someone who can lead a high-powered offense and win games single-handedly. Throughout his career, Sarkisian has shown a talent for developing quarterbacks. From Mac Jones at Alabama to Quinn Ewers at Texas, he has consistently worked with highly-rated quarterbacks who have the potential to be game-changers.

While Smart has relied on quarterbacks who fit his system, Sarkisian can be more flexible, adapting his offensive scheme to the strengths of his signal-callers. Sarkisian’s system is built around a dynamic passing game, which can exploit defensive weaknesses and create mismatches. Quinn Ewers could be the piece that elevates Texas to the next level in 2025. Ewers is a highly skilled quarterback with a cannon for an arm, and under Sarkisian’s tutelage, he has the potential to emerge as one of the best quarterbacks in the nation.

By focusing on developing a quarterback capable of taking over games, Sarkisian’s offense could provide Texas with an edge in a way that Georgia’s more methodical approach simply cannot. If Sarkisian can nurture Ewers into an elite quarterback, it would give Texas a significant advantage, especially in high-pressure games against top-tier competition.

2. Recruiting at a National Level

Another critical aspect of Sarkisian’s strategy to surpass Kirby Smart is his ability to recruit at the highest level. While Smart has proven to be an outstanding recruiter, consistently bringing in top talent to Georgia, Sarkisian has the potential to match him, especially with his connections and the powerful brand of Texas football.

Texas has a recruiting advantage that Smart cannot match. The state of Texas is a recruiting hotbed, home to some of the most talented high school players in the country. While Georgia has made its mark on the recruiting trail, particularly in the Southeast, Texas has a broader recruiting territory, reaching into California, the Midwest, and the East Coast. Sarkisian can capitalize on these advantages and attract top-tier talent from across the nation.

One key strategy that Sarkisian is likely to employ is focusing on the NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) opportunities for recruits. The NIL landscape has revolutionized college recruiting, and Sarkisian is well-positioned to leverage Texas’ resources to attract top talent. Unlike Georgia, Texas has a powerful alumni network, massive financial resources, and a prominent position in the NIL space, all of which can be used to lure recruits who are interested in maximizing their earning potential.

Sarkisian’s recruitment efforts are also bolstered by his offensive system, which emphasizes the development of skill players, particularly wide receivers and quarterbacks. With Sarkisian’s track record of developing top-tier quarterbacks and skill players, recruits are drawn to the idea of playing in an offense that can help them reach the next level, both in terms of their college careers and their professional prospects.

By continuing to recruit at a high level, particularly using the NIL advantage, Sarkisian can assemble a roster capable of competing with Georgia on talent alone. The combination of elite quarterback development, skill player recruitment, and a heavy focus on NIL can make Texas an even more attractive destination for top recruits.

3. Exploiting Georgia’s Weaknesses in the Passing Game

While Georgia has been known for its dominating defense under Kirby Smart, there is one area where the Bulldogs have shown vulnerability in recent years: the passing game. Smart’s defensive philosophy, while incredibly effective in stopping the run and creating pressure on opposing quarterbacks, has sometimes struggled when defending against high-powered passing attacks.

Texas, under Sarkisian, could exploit this weakness with a dynamic passing game. With Quinn Ewers at quarterback and a stable of talented wide receivers, Texas could build an offense that forces Georgia’s defense to adapt. While Georgia’s secondary has been formidable, it has also faced struggles when defending against elite passing attacks.

Sarkisian’s ability to create mismatches in the passing game and out-scheme Georgia’s defense could be a critical factor in taking down Smart’s powerhouse program. Sarkisian is known for his ability to call creative plays that exploit defensive weaknesses. By incorporating a mix of zone-beater concepts, crossing routes, and deep shots downfield, Sarkisian could force Georgia’s defense to play out of its comfort zone.

This approach will be vital in big games against Georgia, especially when facing a defense that thrives on a run-first mentality. By establishing a potent passing attack, Sarkisian can open up opportunities for his offense to move the ball effectively, creating scoring drives that Georgia may struggle to match.

4. Building a National Championship Contender from the Inside Out

Sarkisian understands that in order to surpass Kirby Smart, he must build a program that is strong from the inside out. This means not only assembling a talented roster but also focusing on the development of players in the trenches—the offensive and defensive lines. Georgia’s success has been largely due to its strength in these areas, with dominant defensive linemen and a powerful offensive line that controls the line of scrimmage.

Sarkisian has recognized the importance of these units and has made strides to improve Texas’ offensive and defensive lines. His ability to develop and recruit linemen who can dominate in the SEC will be crucial to his strategy. If Texas can develop a formidable front seven on defense and a powerful offensive line, it will allow the Longhorns to compete directly with Georgia’s strength in the trenches.

By prioritizing development in these critical areas, Sarkisian can build a well-rounded team that is capable of winning in every phase of the game, whether it’s rushing the ball, stopping the run, or protecting the quarterback. This approach will allow Texas to compete against Georgia and other SEC powerhouses, where games are often won and lost in the trenches.

5. The Psychological Edge: Sarkisian’s Calm Under Pressure

Finally, one of the more covert aspects of Sarkisian’s strategy to surpass Kirby Smart is his ability to manage pressure and his calm demeanor in high-stakes situations. While Smart has a track record of success, he has also faced criticism for in-game decision-making and handling of high-pressure moments, particularly in the early stages of his career.

Sarkisian, on the other hand, has a unique ability to remain calm in stressful situations. His time as an offensive coordinator at Alabama, coupled with his experience as a head coach at Washington and USC, has given him the ability to make calculated decisions and manage game situations effectively. This mental composure could give Texas the psychological edge in close games, especially against an opponent like Georgia, where the smallest mistake can tip the balance.

In games where the margin for error is slim, Sarkisian’s ability to remain level-headed and make smart, strategic decisions could give him the upper hand over Smart, who is known to sometimes be caught up in the emotional intensity of high-stakes matchups.

 The Road to Surpassing Kirby Smart

Steve Sarkisian’s covert strategy to surpass Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs is multifaceted. It relies on a mix of quarterback development, superior recruiting, exploiting defensive weaknesses, and building a strong program from the inside out. Sarkisian’s approach is not just about competing with Georgia—it’s about developing a championship-contending program that can thrive in the ever-competitive SEC.

While Kirby Smart has built a juggernaut at Georgia, Sarkisian’s blueprint for success at Texas is a well-thought-out plan that takes into account the long-term goals of the program. If Sarkisian can execute this strategy effectively, the Longhorns will not only compete with Georgia but will have the chance to surpass them and claim a seat at the table of college football’s elite.