The trend around the college football world right now seems to be to ask head coaches of prominent programs about the sign-stealing/sign-scouting allegations against the Michigan Wolverines, and Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart was the latest to be asked.
During the press conference, Smart explained that he'd never heard of teams sending other people to games to steal signals. He also mentioned that he had never been asked himself to do that. However, in terms of it taking place during games, Smart agreed that it happens frequently.
"As far as in game, I think people try to do that. It tries to go on," he said.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart explained he's never heard of teams sending coaches to other games to steal signals and was never asked to do that as a young coach.
Smart: "As far as in game, I think people try to do that. It tries to go on"
— Jordan D. Hilloween ? (@JordanDavisHill) October 24, 2023
He was then asked a follow-up about whether he had any indication that this was happening when Georgia played Michigan last season.
"There's nothing I remember about the Michigan game that makes me think that [happened]," he said.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart is asked directly about the reports about Michigan stealing signs.
Smart: "There's nothing I remember about the Michigan game that makes me think that [happened]"
— Jordan D. Hilloween ? (@JordanDavisHill) October 24, 2023
Of course, the Bulldogs won that game 34-11; so whether there was sign-stealing or not, it didn't matter much.
Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders addressed the point: "Everyone's trying to get whatever edge they can. You can have someone's whole game plan, they can mail it to you, [but] you still gotta stop it. You still gotta stop. In football, it's not as pronounced as baseball. If I know a curveball is coming, I got you. With football, I don't give a darn if you know a sweep is comin', you still gotta stop it. Physically."
That appears to be the case here. If Michigan did do that to Georgia, it didn't matter — the Wolverines couldn't stop the Bulldogs.
?You can have someone?s whole game plan, they can mail it to you, you still gotta stop it.? ?????
Deion Sanders talking about the Michigan sign stealing scandal ?? pic.twitter.com/Ss6CD3G2Nn
— College Transfer Portal (@CollegeFBPortal) October 24, 2023
There's a clip available for the entire response from Smart.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart talking about if he was aware that Michigan were stealing signals from them. ??
"There's nothing I remember about the Michigan game that makes me think that." ?
Straight Savage. pic.twitter.com/g5BYmqFvR4
— College Transfer Portal (@CollegeFBPortal) October 25, 2023
The Bulldogs are 7-0 this season and are coming off a bye in Week 8. In Week 7, they defeated the Vanderbilt Commodores but lost tight end Brock Bowers for potentially the rest of the regular season and beyond.
In Week 9, they stay out on the road and take on the Florida Gators on Saturday.
