Phil Steele: Georgia Bulldogs ‘could very well run the table’ this year
If you missed it, you’ll want to hear what college football analyst/publisher Phil Steele said when asked on ESPN to name an off-the-radar team that could have a big season.
He initially mentioned Oklahoma, his pick to win the 2010 national title despite losing five games last season.
And then he mentioned someone else:
“If I was going to pick another one out of the stack there,” Steele said Friday on ESPN’s College Football Live, “I would have to say the Georgia Bulldogs. I think they’ve got a shot of even winning the SEC East and could very well run the table.”
Wow. Whoa. Run the table?
Steele doesn’t go so far as to predict the Bulldogs will do it, mind you. In fact, he has them No. 19 in his preseason rankings. But I’m pretty sure he’s the first to utter on national TV the possibility of an undefeated season for the 2010 Dogs.
Phil Steele’s College Football Preview magazine is always packed with information. Here are a few morsels pulled from his two-page preview of Georgia in this year’s edition (the abbreviations are his way of conserving space to cram in more info):
- “The 17 total QB int [last season] were the most at UGA since 1984.”
- “Surprisingly heading into ‘07 UGA had just one 1,000 yd back since ‘92!”
- “UGA had a pair of 100 yd rushers vs GT (Ealey and King) but just three 100 yd efforts all year and I look for significant improvement.”
- “Figgins returns and Green is back to full health making UGA my #2 receiving corps in the NCAA.”
- “The [offensive line] unit has an amazing 155 career starts (counting Justin Anderson who moved to the DL in spg) which is #1 in the FBS (my #1 OL unit).”
- “Even with the loss of their star [linebacker], provided this unit stays healthier, it should be stronger.”
- “This [defensive backfield] is a less exp’d unit and my biggest concern on the 2010 team.”
Interesting stuff once again, Phil Steele.
Also:
Click here for our latest UGA notebook, with items on new up-close basketball seats, fretting the Gators and the future of Foley Field.
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537 comments Add your comment
Kip
June 1st, 2010
1:40 pm
Steele makes some great points, I’m buying it.
Georgia makes a run, wins it all in 2010.
NOTSO FAST
June 1st, 2010
2:27 pm
Until any team get beat, then that team has a chance to run the table.
But don’t expect the Dogs to do it.
Gaitorbait 17-3
June 1st, 2010
2:50 pm
Look at me I put my 2 cents in on every UGA blog, because I have no life and am considering a sex change
GPB1
June 1st, 2010
2:51 pm
Hey look at me, I am another douche who comments on other teams blogs.
Urbane Meyer
June 1st, 2010
2:53 pm
I’m coming to join you Elizabeth, this is the big one
chazzo
June 1st, 2010
3:11 pm
Steele, Athlon, and the bevy of other offseason pubs are worthless. You are better off reading horoscopes as the employ the same tactics. What a safe bet to say someone might do well. If they don’t, Steele will point out that he said “might.” If they rock it, Steele will point out that he called it. Move all these mags to the outhouse or the birdcage. If the dawgs don’t man up and beat some teams next year, well… they won’t beat teams next year. It is really as simple as that.
chazzo
June 1st, 2010
3:13 pm
I’ll go out on the limb: Georgia vs. Auburn in Atlanta. There I said it.
Kris G
June 1st, 2010
3:59 pm
Frankly, I don’t see how a Mythical Preseason NC is any different from a Mythical Postseason NC.
Rickky
June 1st, 2010
4:24 pm
Steele is the most accurate guy in the biz.
If he says UGA winning it all and making a run, take er to the bank.
GT Fan ...
June 1st, 2010
4:35 pm
Rickky … you might want to hold on “take er to the bank” and check which way the wind is blowing the next time the expert Mr. Steele starts spouting predictions.
Don’t believe me?? Well, below is a blog of his from Feb. 1, 2010, and his predictions for AP’s preseason top 10, and what he was saying then about GT (who is now unranked by Steele).
THOSE THAT JUST MISSED OUT:
I mentioned at the start of the blog that last year I had nine of the top 10 teams correctly predicted and it was the same case in 2008 where I also missed out by 1. If one of the team’s I have projected in the Top 10 doesn’t make the polls, there are 5 teams that have a shot at jumping into the Top 10.
Right now, I would project Georgia Tech to be #11 heading into the season and as mentioned, if the events between now and August are positive for GT, they could even leap past Virginia Tech as the preseason favorite in the ACC ……
Looks like the, er, bank you are “take’n er to” has been shut down by the feds.
GT Fan ...
June 1st, 2010
4:47 pm
Yep … Below, I’d say Mr Steele “rocked” this prediction, from last season, too. This is the same week that he predicted Clemson would lose to Miama (Tigers won), and that both Alabama & Florida would destroy UT & Miss St respecitvely …. and I think we all know how lucky both were to win those games.
#12 GEORGIA TECH AT VIRGINIA
Last 12 Years Matchups
Georgia Tech lost 8 straight times at Scott Stadium with their last win in 1990 when they knocked off the #1 Cavs. The home team is 12-2 but last year Georgia Tech was ranked #21 and at home, jumped out to a 14-3 lead but was outscored 21-3 the final 3Q’s, was upset at home 24-17 and was held to just 156 yards rush. Although QB Sewell has improved, he did leave the game last week with a sprained ankle (check status). On the season he is averaging 182 yards per game (55%) with a 5-5 ratio. RB Simpson missed last week with a neck injury but is expected to play here. Georgia Tech has a large offensive edge (#6-93) but the Cavs have the defensive edge (#24-55). QB Nesbitt is averaging 128 yards per game (48%) with a 4-3 ratio, but is #3 in the ACC with 625 rush yards (4.1). WR Thomas is #1 in the ACC with 27 receptions (24.9) despite Georgia Tech’s offensive scheme (just 1 completion last week). Georgia Tech is coming off a huge upset win over #4 Virginia Tech (first home win over Top 5 team S/’62) and Virginia has won 12 of their last 13 in Oct.
PHIL’S FORECAST: Virginia 26 Georgia Tech 23
The Jackets kicked VA’s arse! 34-9!!
Keep’em coming Mr “Expert”…….
Okie Dok
June 1st, 2010
5:10 pm
Look, Steele is extremly accurate, about 90% last year on AP Top 10, but yes, 10%, he misses.
90% chance he’s right about Georgia.
Okie Dok
June 1st, 2010
5:17 pm
Richt is 39-3 when he gets a 100 yard rusher.
Both Alabama and Florida win their divisions by averaging over 200 yards a game rushing.
Georgia averages over 240 a game over last 5 games, has the O-Line with the most experience in the NCAA at 155 starts.
Georgia wins SEC East, running all the way.
Lowell
June 1st, 2010
5:28 pm
I’ll take Jimbo Fisher and Christian Ponder over Richt and Murray and day.
Yellow Jacket
June 1st, 2010
5:29 pm
Richts too complacent.The Dawgs won’t win Jack.
Okie Dok
June 1st, 2010
5:35 pm
Georgia’s last 5 games rushing:
Tenn Tech 304
Auburn 169 (Bama got 151)
Kent 196 (bama got 133 against Kent)
Ga Tech 339
Tex A/M 208
That’s 1216 yards over last 5 games, good for 5th best in NCAA out of 120 teams.
243 yards rushing a game.
Jamey
June 1st, 2010
5:44 pm
Phil Steele is the most accurate predictor in pre-seaon in college football. When he says, Georgia might go on a run, that’s as close to the turth as you can get.
http://preseason.stassen.com/prediction-accuracy/2009-10yr.html
Steele was most accurate over 10 year period, and 5 year period, and 2nd most accurate over 3 year period.
JMac 01203
June 1st, 2010
6:10 pm
They won’t even get through September undefeated, much less beat a Florida team that has superior talent and coaching. And, they ALWAYS lose to someone they should not lose to (Remember Kentucky in ‘09, GT in ‘08, Tennessee and S. Carolina in ‘07). Also, you can laugh if you want to, but by November 27 they won’t even be the best team in the STATE. BTW – yes, Steele is fairly accurate, and do not forget he picked UGA what #17. That is closer to where they will finish with at least 4 losses.
JMac 01203
June 1st, 2010
6:18 pm
Oh yeah, watch for the classic “trap” game on Oct. 23 @ Kentucky. They will be looking ahead to the annual Florida beatdown, and will get clawed by the Wildcats. Count on it. CMR will not have his team focused. Just like GT was last year when they played UGA. They were looking to Clemson and an ACC Championship, and they got beat. Oct. 23 go ahead and put it in the L column.
Call IT
June 1st, 2010
6:38 pm
Bottom line,
GA will not win S#$%!
Enough Said!
Jamey
June 1st, 2010
7:43 pm
The #1 most accurate pre-season predictor said this about Georgia:
“If I was going to pick another one out of the stack there,” Steele said Friday on ESPN’s College Football Live, “I would have to say the Georgia Bulldogs. I think they’ve got a shot of even winning the SEC East and could very well run the table.”
Steele also raved about Georgia’s O-Line: 155 starts of experience, 243 yards a game overage rushing over last 5 games, only gave up 12 sacks.
I don’t think Steele thinks the rushing attack, defense & QB play will improve this year.
His lone concern was the defensive secondary.
willie g really hates bill shanks
June 1st, 2010
8:09 pm
IAM A PRO GAMBLER PHIL STEELE GOES ON DIFFERENT SHOWS AND HEDGES HIS BETS TO DIFFERENT STATIONS THAT SAID HE SUX NOW THE KEY TO THE DOGS IS BEAT SOUTH CAROLINA AND IT COULD BE A SPECIAL SEASON , LOSE AND IT WILL BE A BAD SEASON PLAY BALL.
willie g really hates bill shanks
June 1st, 2010
8:16 pm
JAMEY BULLCRAP ABOUT PHIL STEELE HIS PICKS SUX AND YOU DONT WANT TO CHALLENFE ME HIS PRO PICKS ARE 46%. ILISTEN TO HIM AND BET THE OPPOSITE COLLEGE AND PRO . ESPN AND JIM ROME LOVE AND FOXSPORTS TO BRING PHIL STEELE ON , THE GUY HAS ALOT OF INFORMATION IN HIS BOOKS BUT ACTUALLY PICKING MONEY$ FOR ME HE IS LOUSY,AND ALL YOU IDIOTS BADMOUTHING TODD GRANTHAM ASK KEITH BROOKING IF HE IS BAD , SOME PEOPLE DONT DESERVE TO BE ON A COMPUTER.
Whatever
June 1st, 2010
9:10 pm
Enter your comments here
Whatever
June 1st, 2010
9:13 pm
One reason is due to GA’s comfy schedule this year. Who do they really play? A FL team that has lost most of its key players, TN with a new coach, and that’s really it. I don’t want you hear you dawg fans crying about your schedule this year. A half decent team would go 10-2 on it.
DawgFan
June 1st, 2010
9:39 pm
I agree, one game at a time… looking at the depth and as long as we stay focused the skies the limit.. and for those Gator and Bama fans, its not like we always ask for the publicity or hype it just is given from the media so of course as fans its exciting to hear.. plus Florida didn’t you guys lose you’re Defensive Coordinator and pretty much you’re entire squad including the messiah himself Tebow?… plus you Gators finally have a competetive schedule this year and play some decent out of conference games so you will lose at least 3 games… so in my eyes for everyone to say Florida will run the table is a huge load of hype
jz times
June 1st, 2010
10:05 pm
The Dogs need to play wiht CON FI DENCE in 2010.
CON FI DENCE = SCORING MARGIN
Does Richt have the killer instinct that’s willing to run up the score to give our guys a good margin for error as a buffer zone against penalties, turnovers, and bad calls, or wis he just too nice of a guy?
Can Georgia DOMINATE TEAMS in the 1st Quarter, setting the tone, and in the 1st 3 games, sending a message to the rest of the league? Can Richt leanr how to break down the will of his opponent by blowing them out?
2010--The Year
June 1st, 2010
11:00 pm
2010 is the year of the Dawg—mark it down. These dawgs are loaded—Richt’s keeping it quiet. UGA may win it all—Richt’s recruiting finally pays off big. Florida’s run is over. GA takes over the series, starting this year.
jz times
June 1st, 2010
11:46 pm
Gino’s secret at UCONN is scoring margin. He tries to blow opponents out, take away their will, and they’re easy to defeat. He tells his players they need to keep scoring, to give their best possible effort, regardless of how many points you’re up by, keep scoring.
That’s how you go on a run and don’t lose games for several years.
Scoring margin.
Mike from Savannah,Ga.
June 2nd, 2010
10:53 pm
Hey,
One,two,free,fo,fi,Georgia has more National Championships,in other sports than Fla. will ever have,& so stick that in your pipe & smoke it.
chazzo
June 3rd, 2010
6:27 am
Lindy’s ranks UGA #22, has little positive to say other than a veteran line, kickers, and AJ, and says it will be an 8 game season. I think a lot of folks are underestimating some of the other players on the team. If I were a UGA player, I would be highly insulted. I guess we will find out if they are man enough.
chuckj
June 3rd, 2010
12:26 pm
You better start thinking how your going to beat Kentucky, who put a whomping on you last year at home instead of thinking going undefeated
qb goes down you will be lucky to go 6-6 or 7-5.
Call IT
June 3rd, 2010
2:56 pm
Hey Mike that is pretty weak when GA’s program sucks and has for the last 30 years!
Gators take the East again in 2010! Smoke that!
Enough Said!
bitter GAY tard
June 3rd, 2010
5:46 pm
ease up dogge stile the season has not evan started yet and there is to much dope smoking by the like’s of goege fan’s (phil steele and cow chip from the AJC, well get real its all about the playaa’s (AKA street thuggs) at gaytard land. it aint about no coach its about talent (drug dealers, street hud’s and such) dog eat dog baby!!! go gaytards. p.s just found another cow CHIP (aka ajc sports beat main man mr chips awhoa) never ban the bitter chip dip!!!
bitter Dog Fan
June 3rd, 2010
5:49 pm
“CALL IT” PLEASE call it quits fool, gaytards take the east up your easst buddy, no more timmy hahahahahahaha
Call IT
June 3rd, 2010
7:11 pm
I see why u are so bitter. I would be too if my team has not won JACK SH%^ since 1980 and you get owed every year in JAX!
3 NC’s to UGAY’s 1. Jokes on you MORON!
Enough Said!
College Football Annual Time - The Recycle Bin
June 8th, 2010
4:55 am
[...] favorite, for the sheer amount of content and the entertaining commentaries. A week or so ago, the ajc.com posted this Phil Steele blurb about the 2010 Dawgs: “If I was going to pick another one out of [...]