Mayfield now is Kirby Smart’s problem
‘Have fun,” TCU coach Gary Patterson suggested Saturday for the next team that draws the Baker Mayfield assignment. Mayfield’s Sooners had just waxed the Horned Frogs, 41-17, for the second time in 22 days, and Patterson seemed quite pleased that Mayfield was forever in his past and was somebody else’s problem.
We now know that Mayfield will be Kirby Smart’s problem come New Year’s Day. Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs play OU in the national semifinal Rose Bowl.
And Smart has had, uh, fun before, trying to defend an Oklahoma quarterback in a bowl game. Four years ago, Smart was the Alabama defensive coordinator when Trevor Knight had the game of his life. OU beat Alabama 45-31, with Knight completing 32 of 44 passes for 348 yards and four touchdowns.
“The experience in the Sugar Bowl was miserable, to be honest with you,” Smart said Sunday on a teleconference promoting the Rose Bowl. “They attacked us, did a great job. One of the most disappointing bowl performances we’ve had. The kid had a phenomenal day at quarterback, came out on fire and lit us up pretty good.”
Funny how the world works. The week after that Sugar Bowl, Mayfield showed up on the OU campus, a football refugee from Texas Tech, wanting to join the Sooners. Twenty months later, Mayfield beat out the Sugar Bowl hero and launched one of the great careers in college football history.
Mayfield is expected to win the Heisman Trophy this week and give Smart many a sleepless night between now and the start of the Rose Bowl parade.
Mayfield hasn’t faced many defenses like Georgia’s. Georgia has faced no quarterbacks like Mayfield. “We haven’t played against any Heisman Trophy winners,” Smart said. “Nobody of that caliber at that position. He can hurt you in so many ways.”
Smart spent much of Sunday exalting Mayfield, talking about how entertaining and effective is the Oklahoma quarterback.
“It’s really almost like watching Brett Favre back in the day,” Smart said. “Better athlete. Gunslinger mentality. He can make all the throws. I’ve enjoyed watching the games he’s played, the pageantry and passion he plays with. It’s what college football’s all about.”
Four years ago, a lot of us were surprised that Mayfield would transfer to a school with a Sugar Bowl hero playing quarterback and three years eligibility remaining. Smart was the victim of those Sugar Bowl heroics but expresses no surprise that Mayfield would have the audacity to challenge Knight.
“Doesn’t amaze me now that I’ve seen Baker Mayfield,” Smart said. “He’s not one to lack confidence in himself. He’s done a hell of a job leading that team. His confidence level’s extremely high. Why should he be bashful? He’s one of the best quarterbacks I’ve been around.”
The 41-year-old Smart was born in Montgomery, Alabama; was raised in Brainbridge, Georgia; and became an all-SEC safety at Georgia.
He’s a child of the South. Smart has coached at SEC schools, Valdosta State, Florida State and the Miami Dolphins. Now he has his alma mater in the College Football Playoff.
But awaiting will be Mayfield, who has a game for the ages seemingly every week.
Berry Tramel: Berry can be reached at (405) 760-8080 or at btramel@oklahoman.com. He can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal radio network, including FM-98.1. You can also view his personality page at newsok. com/berrytramel.