ATHENS — Kirby Smart doesn’t believe alternate uniforms help a team play better.
In fact, the Georgia head coach believes they can be a distraction.
“I don’t get into the whole ‘uniform will make them play faster’ thing,” Smart said on his weekly radio show. “If anything, you’re concerned with the distraction the day of putting them on.
“We tried to get all of that out of the way with the release, let them understand it’s not that big a deal they will wear a different color uniform,” Smart said. “The more they think about that, the less they can think about their opponent and what they need to do to play well.”
Smart, who wore an alternate uniform of a red jersey and black pants during his playing career with the Bulldogs, admitted he likes the red pants Georgia will wear at 4 p.m. Saturday at Arkansas (TV: SEC Network) in both teams’ season-opening game.
“I like the broad white (stripe) on red, it kind of pops,” Smart said. “I know the players are excited about them.
“I’m happy they get an opportunity to reminisce and recognize the team that did so well (winning) the 1980 national championship,” he said. “ I always thought those were classic and sharp looking.”
The Bulldogs wore red pants and white jerseys to open the 1980 season with a win at Tennessee. The team’s jersey will have a patch commemorating the 1980 national championship team.
Georgia also has a black alternate jersey, but Smart has yet to let on when his Bulldogs will wear them. Some suggested the Auburn game on Oct. 3, but no announcement has been forthcoming.
Here’s a look at the five biggest storylines leading up to Saturday’s Georgia football game against Arkansas:
1) D’Wan Mathis projected starter
• Flashback to D’Wan’s last high school game
• D’Wan ‘The Miracle’ Mathis, a comeback like no other
• WATCH: D’Wan Mathis throws dart in Georgia football practice
2) Georgia set to debut new offense
• Georgia’s kaleidoscope offense looks to have changes
• Zamir White excited to be ‘The Guy’ at Arkansas
• George Pickens shares secret to Sugar Bowl success
3) Bulldogs defense ready for first test
• Arkansas tailback plans ‘smash mouth’ attack
• Georgia defense ready for first test at Arkansas
• Nakobe Dean sets the tone for UGA defense
4) Smart open on transfer philosophy
• Smart supports transfers, explains SEC rules
• Otis Reese calls out Kirby Smart on transfer
5) Sam Pittman faces his old team
• Pittman kicks off with cookies, charisma and catfish
• Pittman wants Hogs to ‘run through brick wall’