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.
And please follow @ajcuga on Twitter for Bulldogs news and notes.
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537 comments Add your comment
Wright
May 31st, 2010
1:30 pm
Steele was correct, in BOTH 2002 & 2007 when he predictied Georgia owuld win the SEC East. Both times, he was in the small minority. Both times he was right.
GE Georgia
May 31st, 2010
1:32 pm
Hope Georgia has a lot of extra lightbulbs for the scoreboard, because this offense is going to light it up.
Me
May 31st, 2010
1:32 pm
Wright you are…that’s why he predicted Florida to win East AGAIN this year.
Me
May 31st, 2010
1:34 pm
Remember, he said UGA “could” run the table. Not would. And I “could” win the Powerball this week.
Paul Johnson
May 31st, 2010
1:35 pm
Dawgs will kick our a$$ again and make it 9 out of 10.
Mr. Hustle
May 31st, 2010
1:36 pm
Georgia brings back 15 starters, not too bad.
Me
May 31st, 2010
1:36 pm
Think you’d better bring Christmas lights for that scoreboard ’cause you’re hoping for Santa Claus.
One, two, free, fo, fi, them der Gator don't take no jive!
May 31st, 2010
1:39 pm
Holy mackerel! Are you guys forgetting the product on the field last year? A new DC that failed at his one and only time as a DC and a new QB that was #2 or #3 in your own spring game are going to come into the best conference in the nation and turn it upside down in one year? I think most Dawg fans are smart enough to take a wait and see approach but some of you on here are just plain silly. I guess that’s why they call it the “lunatic fringe”. I understand that UF has some key peices to replace but that’s from a team that just went 26-2 over the last couple of years. I still don’t see any UF fans saying that we’re going to run the table and beat everyone we play this year.
Gillislee
May 31st, 2010
1:39 pm
Yeah the Dawgs could run the table and all the suckers out there buying Mega Millions tickets could win……but they won’t.
Jello Fello
May 31st, 2010
1:40 pm
UGA played 4 top 10 ranked teams in 2009. Brutal schedule. Only 1 top 10 ranked team in 2010. No Alabama or LSU on the schedule.
Florida has 5 top 25 ranked teams on their schedule with a new QB after losing 9 NFL players and the 31 defensive coach in the country, Alabama has 4 and plays 6 teams coming off their bye week & Alabama lost 9 defensive players.
Me
May 31st, 2010
1:40 pm
Murray the Midget will be lucky to complete 50% of his passes. About 25% will hit the back of his linemans helmets.
Me
May 31st, 2010
1:42 pm
Dawgs wont run the table in their own state.
Landon
May 31st, 2010
1:43 pm
Actually, Murray completed 59% of his passes in the 3 Spring games, same as McElroy & Bently.
Ron D
May 31st, 2010
1:46 pm
Can we just get to the first game before we start talking about running the table?
Me
May 31st, 2010
1:46 pm
At least they’ll probably beat Vandy and Tennessee but both will be nailbiters. Good thing the “Lane Train” and the holy ghost took off for the west coast or UT would clobber those sorry Mutts again!
SEC Rox
May 31st, 2010
1:46 pm
Murray is compared to Drew Brees in the media, Brees isn’t as tall as Murray 6′ 1′, but their style of play is similar if you eatch both on video, here’s a clip of 6′ 0′ SuperBowl MVP Drew Brees:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4ruh-ujts0&feature=related
Artie
May 31st, 2010
1:47 pm
Jesus!!! This topic is brought up EVERY summer!!!! Again, ain’t gonna happen!!!!
Me
May 31st, 2010
1:48 pm
Wow, UGA has 3 Spring games? Didn’t hear about the other 2.
Urban Meyer
May 31st, 2010
1:49 pm
Athens sports writers, Phil Steele and Jim Jones, noone serves Kool-Aid more effectively.
Me
May 31st, 2010
1:50 pm
Murrray may wear gloves because his hands are so small. Remember the old add and jingle about “can you handle a whopper”? Well, he can’t handle a whopper Jr.
GIVE ME A BREAK
May 31st, 2010
1:51 pm
KISS OF DEATH.
Sco Mo
May 31st, 2010
1:51 pm
The key to figuring out where Georgia will be, will be the scoring margin after game 3. If it’s 14+, gonna be a great year. If it’s +1 like last season, gonna be a bad year.
You have to think this offense will socre AT LEAST 7 MORE points a game than last year, and the new defensive staff will hold the other team to AT LEAST 7 points LESS than last year’s average.
If Georgia can be up around a 20+ scoring margin, then penalties, turnovers, and bad calls won’t matter, & they’ll win it all, like Miami under Jimmy Johnson.
Me
May 31st, 2010
1:53 pm
So you’re saying ’cause he’s 6′0″ he’s Drew Brees?? Because he’s short? Well hell, I’m Drew Brees too!
Me
May 31st, 2010
1:56 pm
And what was Murray doing at Gary Coleman’s memorial service, God rest his soul??
the fall guy
May 31st, 2010
1:57 pm
The pre-season fell and hype reminds me of 2002 & 2007. Steele came out with his predictions that went against the rest f the media, and Georgia fans got pumped up, and things turned out well both times, finishing in the top 3 in the country. This year has the same feel.
Also, back in 2005, with a new QB, everybody had Georgia #3 in the SEC East. Finished #1. Steele got that one right too.
Reality Check:
May 31st, 2010
1:58 pm
HEY UGAG: With your Joke of a schedule and only playing UF at # 3 and GT at # 13, you have a chance. However, you will choke and lose a couple of games you shouldn’t and there is NO WAY you beat UF, so don’t start rubbing one out yet. Even if you go undefeated, which you won’t, but say you do, you will lose in the SEC Championship and your SOS must be like 150 or something. If that happens, you will be overlooked, which will be a great site to see. You won’t go undefeated! You will definately lose to UF, like every year. GT has a chance to beat you, as does SC in Columbia with Spurrier (Your Favorite Coach) returning 9 starters on offense and their QB, Garcia who is light years better than Murray. Also, the 6′7″ Arkansas QB in Mallet will beat you like a Mallet, as he will throw all over your team in Athens. UGA loses at least 3 games, even with the HS schedule you play. You should be ashamed of your schedule. Also, if everyone thought you were so good, you would be ranked higher than the projected # 19. It’s great to see all you rednecks getting excited, only to be slapped arounf like lost puppies in a doggy pound. Wake up and smell the coffee, as the mutts won’t be there at the end of the year! THWG!
Georgia poodles
May 31st, 2010
2:00 pm
Run the table??? HAHA Thanks for the laugh!! No way will it ever happen nor will UGA Poodles ever win NC Title with Mark Richt. Keep dreaming mutts.
Gators Rock:
May 31st, 2010
2:01 pm
UF will beat you and make it 19 of 21! Enough said! Go back to your trailers and talk chit with your redneck neighbors. Joke of a school and joke of a team. UF owns you. Get used to it, as nothing will change.
SEC Rox
May 31st, 2010
2:02 pm
No, go back and read what I wrote, I actually said, MEDIA, not me, has compared Murray to Brees, and not just because of size, because Murray’s taller than SuperBowl MVP Brees, but also due to their style.
But yes, the 6 foot Brees has done ok in the NFL throwing over those BIG NFL DL’s. Amazing how a little ole 6 footer can win NFL MVP, huh?
Urban Meyer
May 31st, 2010
2:03 pm
Fall guy, only a dilluted Dawg fan would think after the product you put on the field last year that with a freshman QB that’s all going to change. Did you watch the G-Day game? Murray was the short one!
“Georgia fans, the Don Quixotes of college football.”
Idaho State:
May 31st, 2010
2:04 pm
You won’t beat our loaded team. However, I will get excited as an IDAHO STATE grad, if you can have a player jump one of ours like you did against the Chippewas. Who was that short dude? Man, he was awesome. LMFAO!
Kool Aid Drinkers Club
May 31st, 2010
2:05 pm
UGA’s Strength and conditioning program will be considered #1 in the Nation in 2010- 2011. Dave Van Von Halanger returns to his old self to the glory days of Fla. State. You wont recognize these players come fall. Mark it down !!!!!
Murray the midget
May 31st, 2010
2:05 pm
Me and all UGA fans loves to drink Koolaid.
Vandy Man:
May 31st, 2010
2:06 pm
We beat you at homecoming a few years ago………..not to mention we return 10 startes on an offense that was dead last in the conference last year and 10 starters on a defense that couldn’t beat their way out of a paper bag. Vandy 21 UGA 10.
The Ghost of Wally Butts
May 31st, 2010
2:06 pm
SEC East Champs? The SEC? National Title?
Uh, well, if you say so Mr. Football Expert….provided we can take time out of our jail visits, braiding our corn rows, and dancing on the sideline to actually play some football.
Me
May 31st, 2010
2:07 pm
I’ve NEVER read anything in the general media comparing Brees to Murray or anything of the short…uh, I mean sort. Only delusional doggies write that in their own blogs or comment sections.
MSU Lady:
May 31st, 2010
2:08 pm
Miss State is loaded this year. You just wait and see. We are ranked like 100th in every category. Our game should improve your SOS from 150th to 152nd. Go BULLDOGS. MSU Rules the SEC!
SEC Rox
May 31st, 2010
2:10 pm
Rivals compares Murray to Drew Brees, due to the same qualities, leadership, accuracy, quick release, scrambling ability, etc.
http://uga.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=800299
Jelly Man!
May 31st, 2010
2:11 pm
My name is Senior KY and I am a die hard Kentucky fan. We are yet another team to be reckoned with, as we are ranked like 500th in every category. Dawgs will struggle with this tough game.
Kool Aid Drinkers Club
May 31st, 2010
2:12 pm
Coach Mike BoBo will garner Assistant Coach of the Year Award and his offense will break NCAA passing records with a midget QB at the helm. Count on it!
Hope Ray
May 31st, 2010
2:13 pm
Sceptics were ALL wrong about Georgia in 2002 & 20o5 & 2007.
One, two, free, fo, fi, them der Gator don't take no jive!
May 31st, 2010
2:13 pm
SEC Rox,
One person that writes for one of thousands of media outlets compares Murray to Brees and you treat it like it was some biblical passage? Get real, dude. Let’s let him play a few SEC games or college games for that matter before we even consider discussing him in the same breath with the Super Bowl winning QB. What are you thinking?
Murray the midget
May 31st, 2010
2:14 pm
I’m just like Drew Brees? SWEET! without his talent also. thanks for the props bulldawg nation.
Fair and Balanced
May 31st, 2010
2:15 pm
Interesting stuff. Not very realistic though. Win 10 games and it is a great season perhaps poised for something special in ‘11. Running table – nah! Not possible.
Undefeated my azz!
May 31st, 2010
2:16 pm
You are delusional if you think you will go undefeated. You can’t and won’t beat UF and GT and Nesbitt will spank you in Stinchman, sorry I mean Hedgeville lane. Nothing better than seeing the bullmutt nation at the UF game in Jacksonville with one loss and dreams of a NC coming to an end when you lose to UF once again. If you cannot beat a team more than 3 times in 21 years, what makes you think you can this year? Brantley is better than you think and our gator defense and offense are loaded, so let the beat begin. After looking at your schedule, you should consider playing the Coast Guard. Maybe they can stop you team from sinking into oblivion. Heck, the CG is probably rated higer than most of the sorry azz teams you play. Two ranked teams and your bragging. Unreal! Mutts lose 4 and all whine. See ya at the Peach Bowl, if you lucky enough to get that bowl bid. Probably more like last year with the Independence Bowl. THWG!
SEC Rox
May 31st, 2010
2:18 pm
ESPN says Aaron Murray is more mobile than Stafford, but quicker release than Shokley. They think he’ll be like a hybrid of Shokley/Stafford. Stafford went #1 in NFL draft. 2005 & 2007 were both years where 1 of those 2 QB’s were at the helm.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/football/news/story?id=3364886
Urban Meyer
May 31st, 2010
2:18 pm
1,2,3,4,5 you are the one that’s wrong dude, these are Georgia fans and this is their dream. You just need to take your stats, your national championship trophies, your SEC trophies and your 20 “SEC All Sports Trophies” and get the hell out of their dream. Murray for for the Heisman, per Scout!
Undefeated my azz!
May 31st, 2010
2:19 pm
SEC Rox: Send me what your smoking dude. Murray compared to Brees is like comparing Joe Cox to Tim Tebow, your favorite Gator of all time. Get real! Murray suxs and so do the mutts. ROFLMFAO
Josh Nesbitt
May 31st, 2010
2:21 pm
You won’t go undefeated, as I will beat you alone when I rush for 150 yards and throw for another 300! NESBITT for HEISMAN. Get a real QB and get a clue as it won’t be an undefeated season for you. THWG!
SEC Rox
May 31st, 2010
2:22 pm
Colt McCoy called Georgia QB Aaron Murray:
“one of the most impressive players he’d ever seen”
http://espn.go.com/blog/sportscenter/post/_/id/33003/joe-schads-ten-college-football-story-lines-to-watch-this-spring#more