"Nick Saban might have left college football, but college football will never leave Nick Saban." The saying has been gaining traction ever since Saban announced his retirement. Steve Sarkisian is taking it a step ahead and showing how it actually holds true in his program.
As devout Saban protégé Sarkisian continues to draw inspiration from Saban's philosophies, especially when it comes to making his players understand the fine line between "playing with emotions" and "being emotional."
Sarkisian said Wednesday on the SEC Coaches Teleconference "That was something that, over time, I had a hard time putting into words, Saban used this term more eloquently than I’m referencing and I took it with me because it really resonated with me."
"I didn’t know how to say, but I knew what he was meaning. Once he said it the way that he said it, it resonated with me and I’ve carried it with me ever since," Sarkisian said, spilling the beans on where he learned to rein the players' emotions and put them to good use on the gridiron from.
A less-spoken-about but all-important when you're the No.2 team on the AP poll, a serious national championship contender, and battling it out with the top dogs every week.
This rollercoaster, the ups and the downs, the wins and the setbacks easily stir up an emotional ruckus in every player and every team. But that is where the Texas head coach sets his team apart from the rest, and he does it how his mentor Saban used to.
How has the philosophy worked so far?
Frankly, pretty well, since his team is still undefeated 5 games into the season. Additionally, this is the second consecutive season that Sarkisian is boasting a 5-0 record.
How long can Sarkisian and Co. stay undefeated? It's the old-school Red River showdown, hardly anyone is expecting it to be a rout especially since both teams are coming in undefeated.
Per USA Today's Paul Myerburg, the odds are stacked against the Longhorns this time. "Look for the Longhorns to sail past No. 17 Oklahoma on Oct. 12 given the Sooners’ offense state of affairs. Getting Georgia at home definitely helps, but the Bulldogs are heading into October deeply motivated to move past last Saturday’s setback at Alabama and end the regular season with just one loss."
Each team has a bye week to prepare for the mid-season action starter. The 'playing with emotions and not emotionally' philosophy will be put to the test in this showdown on October 12 at 3:30 pm ET.
