DALLAS — Longhorns’ head coach Steve Sarkisian is coming off his best season as a head coach, leading Texas to a 12-2 record and its first College Football playoff appearance in school history. His success as a coach has not gone unnoticed as CFB analyst and former Alabama head coach Nick Saban gave Sarkisian one of the ultimate compliments.

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Saban spoke during SEC Media Days stating how he hated playing his former offensive coordinator at Alabama due to his ability to confuse opposing defenses.

“I kind of always hated playing against Sark…Because they do such a good job with what I call squeeze-splits. We play in this day and age where people take these huge splits like Tennessee — which, that’s a problem, too.

-Saban on why he hates playing against Sarkisian

The History between both coaches

Sarkisian has had a long history with Saban, serving as his OC in 2019 and 2020 and helping the Crimson Tide win a national championship in 2020. Both coaches have also coached against each other as Saban won the first matchup in 2022, but Sarkisian won 34-24 last season.

Saban, who has always been heavily involved on the defensive side of the ball, specifically defensive backs, further explained how his DBs got confused when facing his former OC.

“Players are not used to — especially DBs — are not used to playing when you have squeeze-splits. Because you put them in unfamiliar positions, whether it’s run support or how they cover. When you’re in squeeze-splits, how can this guy get to that side of the field quickly, which messes up your pattern matches.”

-Saban on Sarkisian confusing his defensive backs

Another top coach who could face the same issues

Alabama has always had one of the top defenses in college football under Saban so for him to say that Sarkisian always gave his defenses problems is a huge compliment to the Longhorns’ play-caller. Georgia HC Kirby Smart is also well known for his top defenses. However, Saban still believes that Smart will have the same kind of problems that he had going up against Sarkisian.

“I always hated playing against Texas, and Kirby has got some of the same issues that we had.”

-Saban on Smart facing Texas

Saban’s theory will be tested this season as the Longhorns will take on the Bulldogs on Oct 19th at DKR Memorial Stadium in a game with high playoff implications. Touchdown Texas will continue to cover SEC Media Days as the Longhorns are set to hit the main stage on Wednesday, July 17th.

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