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
Mr. Steele
May 31st, 2010
5:39 pm
For you Georgia fans that can read, check this out:
The complete preseason Top 25 as picked by Lindy’s is:
1. Alabama
2. Boise State
3. Ohio State
4. Texas
5. FLORIDA
6. Wisconsin
7. TCU
8. Virginia Tech
9. Oklahoma
10. Iowa
11. Nebraska
12. USC
13. North Carolina
14. Pittsburgh
15. Oregon
16. Arkansas
17. Georgia Tech
18. LSU
19. West Virginia
20. Miami
21. Georgia
22. Cincinnati
23. Houston
24. Penn State
25. Utah
If you beat the Gators, you’ll be lucky as h3ll, they have two weeks off before the Jacksonville game, while the dawgs will have their hands full of Kentucky away.
The wildcats will be better too, so watch out!
Paul From Milton
May 31st, 2010
5:45 pm
…And the official “Let’s Hype Georgia Out Of Proportion” season has officially started. We see this every year and by the time the season starts the majority of Dawgs will be convinced that anything less than 11 wins means the team is underperforming. Then reality sets in they scream and whine and moan and call for new coaches. This has happened virtually every year since Vince left, and it will happen again this year.
Mr. Steele
May 31st, 2010
5:46 pm
PHIL STEELE’S 2010 PRESEASON ALL-SEC TEAM
– OFFENSE –
1st TEAM 2nd TEAM 3rd TEAM 4th TEAM
QB Ryan Mallett, Arkansas Greg McElroy, Alabama John Brantley, Florida Cameron Newton, Auburn
RB Mark Ingram, Alabama Washaun Ealey, Gerogia Marcus Lattimore, S Carolina Warren Norman, Vanderbilt
RB Derrick Locke, Kentucky Mario Fannin, Auburn Jeff Demps, Florida Trent Richardson, Alabama
WR AJ Green, Georgia Terrance Toliver, LSU Deonte Thompson, Florida Russell Shepard, LSU
WR Darvin Adams, Auburn Joe Adams, Arkansas Greg Childs, Arkansas Chad Bumphis, Miss St
WR Julio Jones, Alabama Randall Cobb, Kentucky Alshon Jeffery, S Carolina Gerald Jones, Tennessee
TE DJ Williams, Arkansas Luke Stocker Tennessee Orson Charles, Georgia Weslye Saunders, S Carolina
C Mike Pouncey, Florida Ben Jones, Georgia Ryan Pugh, Auburn William Vlachos, Alabama
OG Barrett Jones, Alabama Stuart Hines, Kentucky Chris Davis, Georgia Quentin Saulsberry, Miss St
OG Carl Johnson, Florida Cordy Glenn, Georgia Wade Grayson, Arkansas Mike Berry, Auburn
OT Clint Boling, Georgia James Carpenter, Alabama Xavier Nixon, Florida Bradley Sowell, Mississippi
OT Lee Ziemba, Auburn Derek Sherrod, Miss St Joseph Barksdale, LSU DeMarcus Love, Arkansas
PR Randall Cobb, Kentucky Stephon Gilmore, S Carolina Chris Rainey, Florida Leon Berry, Miss St
KR Brandon Boykin, Georgia Warren Norman, Vanderbilt Derrick Locke, Kentucky Jesse Grandy, Mississippi
– DEFENSE –
1st TEAM 2nd TEAM 3rd TEAM 4th TEAM
DE Cliff Matthews, S Carolina Kentrell Lockett, Mississippi Chris Walker, Tennessee Jake Bequette, Arkansas
DT Jerrell Powe, Mississippi Josh Chapman, Alabama Ladi Ajiboye, S Carolina DeQuinta Jones, Arkansas
DT Drake Nevis, LSU Omar Hunter, Florida Mike Blanc, Auburn Lazarius Levingston, LSU
DE Marcell Dareus, Alabama Pernell McPhee, Miss St DeQuin Evans, Kentucky Justin Trattou, Florida
LB Justin Houston, Georgia Chris Marve, Vanderbilt KJ Wright, Miss St Jerico Nelson, Arkansas
LB Kelvin Sheppard, LSU Jerry Franklin, Arkansas Danny Trevathan, Kentucky Shaq Wilson, S Carolina
LB Dont’a Hightower, Alabama Josh Bynes, Auburn Marcus Dowtin, Georgia Courtney Upshaw, Alabama
LB Craig Stevens, Auburn Jonathan Cornell, Mississippi AJ Jones, Florida Allen Walker, Mississippi
CB Patrick Peterson, LSU Neiko Thorpe, Auburn Chris Culliver, S Carolina Corey Broomfield, Miss St
CB Stephon Gilmore, S Carolina Janoris Jenkins, Florida Brandon Boykin, Georgia Casey Hayward, Vanderbilt
S Mark Barron, Alabama Ahmad Black, Florida Charles Mitchell, Miss St Johnthan Banks, Miss St
S Will Hill, Florida Janzen Jackson, Tennessee Johnny Brown, Mississippi Bacarri Rambo, Georgia
K Blair Walsh, Georgia Caleb Sturgis, Florida Josh Jasper, LSU Wes Byrum, Auburn
P Drew Butler, Georgia Chas Henry, Florida Ryan Tydlacka, Kentucky Spencer Lanning, S Carolina
15 Gators 10 dogs as usual
Call IT
May 31st, 2010
5:48 pm
This must have been an April Fools aritcle that was forgot to be entered and just found as you gotta be kidding me!
A loser program that has done NOTHING since 1980!
Gators win the East again in 2010 and stomp GA again in Jax.
What a joke.
Enough Said!
dawgforlife
May 31st, 2010
5:52 pm
I was reflecting over last year’s football season, and someone on the blodg mentioned Brandon Spikes as an emotional leader. I remember his ettampt to remove Ealey’s eyevin front of God and a ATV audience. Then I pondered the Scripture’s reference to such an act, “an eye for and eye.” That begs the question, “Whose eye did Ealey attack to deserve such justifiable punishemnt? Go Dawgs! I am not a fair weather fan.
Coach Small Johnson
May 31st, 2010
5:59 pm
Damon Evans must be stupid
Last year was the first time in years UGA had a week off FL always makes sure they have a week off before UGA whats funny whoever has a week off before this game has a 97% chance of winning
You would think he would change this and you would think Richt would complain about it
I guess like short kickoffs and Willie Martinez the stupidity continues
oh well
Just another example of the stupidity running the program
Dirty Souf
May 31st, 2010
6:05 pm
This article gets a LoLz!!1!
PNUTforMAYORofJACKSON
May 31st, 2010
6:05 pm
OZZFEST….email me @rjohnson1163@hotmail.com to go ahead and work a deal for those dawgs tickets!!! and moticellodawg…ur a genious…could not have said it better!!!!
bruce mac
May 31st, 2010
6:08 pm
HO HUM Dawgs win another National Championship, this one in singles tennis. Win Win Win Win Win, it never gets old.
Brandon
May 31st, 2010
6:14 pm
There is absolutely no way Georgia will run the table….that is incredibly laughable. UGA will lose at least 4 games. So UGA is gonna run the table with an unproven, unplayed quarterback?? hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
BG
May 31st, 2010
6:15 pm
GO DAWGS!!! The future is so bright and I am so glad to be a Dawg.
Brandon
May 31st, 2010
6:17 pm
one other thing………..WAR EAGLE
brian
May 31st, 2010
6:25 pm
I am a die hard Dawgs fan, but also am realistic. That is not realistic.
TampaGator
May 31st, 2010
6:25 pm
Hey, I think Kentucky “could” run the table too. Auburn could. Arkansas could. South Carolina could. Miss. State could. LSU could. Bama could. The Vols could. The Johnny Rebs could. Shucks, every team in the SEC could run the table. Problem is, only one of these two “will”…Bama or Florida.
poopdawg
May 31st, 2010
6:35 pm
TampaGator, how did you find this out? How did you get so smart? You hate the DAWGS and spewing the venom will prevent the the DAWGS from running the table?
JB
May 31st, 2010
6:51 pm
I wouldn’t be shocked… I would be surprised but not shocked.
All of the hot wind and blather that been posted aside, and man was there a ton of it, this is a talented UGA squad, with a lighter schedule, a weak SECE and a new tone, on D. Combine that with one of the best returning OL’s and skill players, other than QB and this squad could be pretty respectable. If said QB can just be decent, we could do some damage.
HBTD!!!
Herschel Talker
May 31st, 2010
6:55 pm
Settle down people. I, for one, am getting tired of the mismanaged expectations. How about we try beating Florida for two years in a row before talking about national championships and running the table. Let’s get a grip, shall we?
Tide Roll
May 31st, 2010
7:06 pm
You guys talk too much generalities. The reason the gators will kick uga’s butt yet again is their offensive line. It consists of Xavier Nixon, Carl Johnson, Mike Pouncey, Maurice Huurt (from Millegeville), and Marcus Gilbert. Year after year Richt and Bobo insist on ignoring the obvious and continue to start the likes of Clint Boling over Josh Davis, Ben Jones over Chris Burnette, and incredibly, Chris Davis over Bean Anderson.They continue to deny the obvious and in their combined arrogance think they can beat Florida by playing inferior talent. It is and will continue to be a recipe for disaster. Richt stated after last’s years Fla. debacle. ” Well, here we are again.” what does the man expect. He got what he deserved. Thanks again for James Carpenter and Chance Warmack. Keep ‘em comming UGA!
pcsjax1
May 31st, 2010
7:14 pm
Mark Richt has averaged 3 conference losses over the past four years:
2006 4-4
2007 6-2
2008 6-2
2009 4-4
This is with the same offensive line we have now.
Tide Roll
May 31st, 2010
7:22 pm
One other thing. Phil Steele thought because D.J. Shockley successfully followed David Greene that Joe Cox would successfully follow Matt Stafford. In other words, cox = shockley. This same guy has Boling 1st team all sec, and James Carpenter 2nd. Carpenter is the georgia kid that basically blocked ala. to a national title. Phil Steele is a joke. Roll Tide.
Bazooka Joe
May 31st, 2010
7:23 pm
One, two, free, fo….. you hit the nail on the head my friend (even though you are a gator, but you speak the truth). We have absolutely killed ourselves the last few years with very undisciplined play. Would we have won the games we lost due to the numerous turnovers and penalties ? Who knows, but by committing them we didnt even give ourselves a chance. If we can cut down on those two things we will be better this year – if not then more of the same things we have been seeing. As far as us running the table, I dont see it. Another poster was right that we will know a lot more about our team after SC and Arky. I am concerned about quarterback (I hope Coach Richt is right), and this is pretty much the same OLine that was highly touted last year and underperformed. Defense was lost last year, I am sure coach G will get that turned around quickly (ooooh to have a junkyard D again….), however there is a learning curve so we are just going to have to be patient. yes the schedule is a bit easier than the last couple, but to tell you the truth I like playing quality games OOC. This is nothing new – we used to play UCLA, BYU, Cal, Texas A&M, etc… back in the 70’s/80’s (I know, I know – the SEC schedule wasnt as full back then). So, keep a cupcake, add a quality OOC and then tech.
Going off on another tangent – whats up with our athletic teams this year ? Not just football, but baseball didnt even qualify for SEC tourney, gymnastics didnt qualify for Nationals after having won the last 5 NC, basketball didnt do well, swimming/diving and golf didnt do as well.
david
May 31st, 2010
7:24 pm
Dawgs will run the table the next three years in a row and destroy Florida,Tech,Bame and the rest of the pretenders. We are back! Get ready!
GoldenDawg
May 31st, 2010
7:26 pm
pcsjax1 is an idiot. UGA has a very easy schedule this year much like the schedule that florida has been playing in the last few years.
Me If you had anything worth saying you would use something besides me.
Bill Campbell
May 31st, 2010
7:28 pm
Insiders are saying that Saban will go to Michigan and meyer will retire from additional mental problems!
pcsjax1
May 31st, 2010
7:34 pm
It’s time to put up or shut up! I’m not buying in on the “hype”!
pcsjax1
May 31st, 2010
7:44 pm
Run the table? The way they have played in the SEC over the past four years they need to “run under the porch!”
Brandon
May 31st, 2010
7:47 pm
Hey GoldenDawg, are you serious that UGA has an easy schedule?? There are no easy schedules in the SEC.
GATORSTUD
May 31st, 2010
7:50 pm
Run the table??? Really??? Did the ugas somehow get the mighty GATORS off the schedule??? you’ll be luck to beat vandy again this year with no qb.
Ray
May 31st, 2010
7:54 pm
Too funny. This guys track record is a joke. Uga running the table!! Does this moron know they play UF and the skidmarks uga has against them. What about Tennessee. What a dolt. They won’t even beat Colorado.
Scott Crumptonn
May 31st, 2010
7:59 pm
It’s fun to speculate. But this of course requires defeating Auburn for nth time in a row, beating the Gators and likely SEC West Champion Bama. All of these things are certainly possible independently, but likely not all together in the same season. Let’s publish this story in November and see where we’re at.
2007 was an illusion
May 31st, 2010
8:10 pm
Wow what a smart marketing ploy that Phil Steele throws out there to get the Georgia urchins to run out and buy his Magazine ! Mediocre brethren South Carolina will dash UGA’s hopes early while Richt will be on the hot seat come Turkey Day.
Shapinsay
May 31st, 2010
8:14 pm
Ah, the annual weekend of Bulldog football irrational over-exuberance. Let’s talk about it again after November, when you are going through the annual fire the coach orgy. To succeed (much less run the table), you need to keep your inmates – oops, student-athletes out of jail. Have you hired a parole officer for the football team? Bobby Bowden wouldn’t have been successful without one.
mdawg
May 31st, 2010
8:18 pm
not with UGA’s sorry recruiting class we will not run the table
Urban Meyer
May 31st, 2010
8:18 pm
I know this has already been posted but if the Dawgs were no better than 8th in total offense last year, what makes Dawg fans think there loaded coming back this year with a Freshman QB. Oh, there’s my answer, Dawg fans.
TOTAL OFFENSE G Rush Pass Plays Yards Avg/P TD Avg/G
1. Florida 14 3105 3305 919 6410 7.0 58 457.9
2. Auburn 13 2756 2857 914 5613 6.1 49 431.8
3. Arkansas 13 1713 3842 834 5555 6.7 55 427.3
4. Alabama 14 3011 2631 947 5642 6.0 48 403.0
5. Ole Miss 13 2387 2844 880 5231 5.9 44 402.4
6. Tennessee 13 2043 2942 878 4985 5.7 47 383.5
7. Miss. State 12 2731 1732 821 4463 5.4 30 371.9
8. Georgia 13 2093 2615 793 4708 5.9 41 362.2
9. South Carolina 13 1576 2940 875 4516 5.2 30 347.4
10. Kentucky 13 2486 1824 877 4310 4.9 39 331.5
11. Vanderbilt 12 1920 1756 803 3676 4.6 18 306.3
12. LSU 13 1596 2363 771 3959 5.1 34 304.5
Paul "ManBoobs" Johnson
May 31st, 2010
8:22 pm
This just in, I was voted CFB Coach of the Year by JUGS magazine. SWEEEET!
Paul "ManBoobs" Johnson
May 31st, 2010
8:25 pm
Also, GT is the pre-season #1 ranked team in JUGGS magazine’s annual CFB Top 20
OMG!
May 31st, 2010
8:35 pm
Steele must be a crack addict or should have mentioned how this same UGA team could lose 5 games again.
Big B CH 99
May 31st, 2010
8:45 pm
I just dont’ see that happening:
I think the running game will be great, one of the best in the country, but U can’t just handoff up the gut & beat really good teams (Fla), & S Car always plays tough D.
The 2nd best WR corps in the country, come on, arguably the best WR in the country in Green, but who else do U have, Richt even admits he’s thin @ WR
D should be better, but lost several key players on the D-Line & Curran @ LB
But U will go as far as a Fresh QB can take U
DawgInDC
May 31st, 2010
8:45 pm
the gaiders are nervous..We’re gunning for them..gonna make oscar meyer pay…run up the score on the turds…
TROTTINGHOME
May 31st, 2010
8:53 pm
Hey….Phil Steele said and he’s not a Homer.
AltamahaDawg
May 31st, 2010
8:54 pm
The conference schedule (and off weeks) are set by the league office. Do you actually believe that Nick Saban would have agreed for so many team to have the off week before playing Bama IF his AD could have arranged it? The man just won the SEC and a national championship, and you think Damon Evans should have some pull over that? Now what were you saying about stupidity?
Murray > Brantley
May 31st, 2010
8:57 pm
I’ve seen murray and brantley play—murray’s a lot better. He played big time high school ball and brantley played at some small school. Look for Grantham’s D to pressure brantley into some INTs—Ga wins that game easy. Gators: tebow’s gone, spikes is gone and the run is over—book it.
Jimmy
May 31st, 2010
8:59 pm
Undefeated or not, UGA will still have a successful season. I don’t understand the standards your fan base has. What has UGA done in the past 30 years to expect an undefeated season and a MNC?? You can still enjoy a successful 9 or 10 win season. ENJOY being the keyword there. That’s what its all about for the fans.
It’s called perspective people. Learn it and live it. You could be a Tech fan afterall. Think about it.
InsectInside
May 31st, 2010
9:01 pm
Another child left behind.
The Real World
May 31st, 2010
9:02 pm
Georgia will lose to: South Carolina, Auburn, Miss State, Arkansas and of course, Florida. 7-5 BABY. Music City Bowl. They could lose to Kentucky, Tenn, Vandy or Colorado but I’ll give them a benefit of a doubt there. Bobo will be fired at the end of the season and the microscope will be on Richt. It will all come down to 2011 when the schedule should be tougher. If he wins less than 9 games then it’s adios.
Landon Donovan
May 31st, 2010
9:03 pm
Georgia will go undefeated about the same time the USA wins the World Cup in soccer. Like, never!
Ron Zook
May 31st, 2010
9:05 pm
Sounds just like it did the 3 years I was coach and I was 3-1 against the humpers.
DAWG H8TER
May 31st, 2010
9:07 pm
I wonder if “Manboobs” lives in Midtown? Your takes are disturbing. You can’t talk about how superior
their students are, so feminizing the coach of GT makes you feel good?
The Real World
May 31st, 2010
9:10 pm
When UGA gets blown out in the first game at South Carolina and starts spiraling downhill, LeMay and his fellow recruits will all jump ship cause they know this coaching staff will be gone in two seasons.
jesse james
May 31st, 2010
9:15 pm
The Real World – You wouldn’t know the real world if it jumped up and bit you on the ass. You don’t want to know the truth or the real world.
By the way who is your team?