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.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
537 comments Add your comment
obomaisaclown
May 31st, 2010
9:16 pm
Anyone know why Auburn is winning the state of Alabama this year and getting the top talent.Auburn looks to get 8 of the top 13 kids instate including the #1 player in the state. Bama wins NC and can’t win the state. Auburn is on a roll!!
The Real World
May 31st, 2010
9:17 pm
Murray will throw 3 picks against South Carolina when they stack the line to stop Georgia’s feeble running attack. Better have Logan Gray ready.
jesse james
May 31st, 2010
9:22 pm
It was sad to hear about The Real World. Dawgs beat South Carolina and Murray threw 3 TD passes and Ealy and King had over 100 yards. I can’t believe he jumped from the top of the stadium to his death. Wait a minute he is alive and well. A Doctor which is a UGA graduate saved his life.
The Real World
May 31st, 2010
9:22 pm
I wouldn’t worry too much about Alabama recruiting but you have to tip your hat to Auburn and how they have been recruiting. And it doesn’t matter who Georgia gets because they don’t anything with them anyway. Look out for Auburn this year, they will blow out the Dawgs much like Tennessee did last year.
The Real World
May 31st, 2010
9:24 pm
Then you woke up…
Mega Fone
May 31st, 2010
9:24 pm
It’s realistic to fully expect Georgia to finish in the top 3 in the final poll this year. Why?
The only other 2 seasons that were like last season were 2001 & 2006. Both times, Richt finished in the top 3 in the final poll in 2002 & 2007.
that’s the most realistic assessment.
Will he be National Champ? Might be too optimistic.
Will he finish lower than the top 3 in the final polls? Might be too pessimistic.
jesse james
May 31st, 2010
9:25 pm
I woke up and the Dawgs still won and the crowd called you the biggest fool in the crowd. By the way who is your team/
GoDOGS1
May 31st, 2010
9:27 pm
Yo The Real World….you know these numbers of 44-14-2 represent? Yeah! I thought so….now run along little boy!
The Real World
May 31st, 2010
9:28 pm
jesse james…someone I think stole your mind. Not that there was that much in the vault to begin with.
jesse james
May 31st, 2010
9:29 pm
Real World – Hurry and tell me who your team is before your mama makes you go to bed.
jesse james
May 31st, 2010
9:31 pm
Real World – who said anything about vault and brains we are talking football and you are scared to tell me who your team is. Hurry it is 9:30 and your mama is going to make you go to bed. That is the Real World.
col fot
May 31st, 2010
9:32 pm
Georgia will have to win at Carolina, which is always tough and then beat a good quarterback and Arkansas. Florida will be ready for Georgia come November. If they win two out these three they very well could win 10 or 11 games and possibly play for the SEC title. It all depends on injuries and breaks as usual, but they certainly have talent everywhere.
The Real World
May 31st, 2010
9:33 pm
GoDOGS1…Anything to do with your cumulative SAT score???
jesse james
May 31st, 2010
9:34 pm
Col fot- Your are right UGA has their hands full because everybody knows that a win over the Dawgs is a marquee win and carries alot of weight. That is why everybody gets ready to play the Dawgs.
The Real World
May 31st, 2010
9:35 pm
jesse james, sure that’s not your mamma callin’?? You seem to be the one on limited time. My team is whoever is playing Georgia.
jesse james
May 31st, 2010
9:35 pm
The Real World – Our SAT scores are fine compared to every other NCAA football team. Who is your team. Did they take the SAT?
jesse james
May 31st, 2010
9:37 pm
That is what I thought you just hate the Dawgs. Well I don’t know of any school that would want you pulling for them. Why do you hate UGA so bad. Did they not offer you a scholarship or did UGA pee on you?
Mega Fone
May 31st, 2010
9:38 pm
Uh, no, South Carolina or Arkansas will not be games where Georgia will not be favored to win.
Richt’s 7-2 against South Caorlina & 5-0 against Arkansas.
Georgia been down for 30 years
May 31st, 2010
9:39 pm
and still counting.
The Real World
May 31st, 2010
9:41 pm
A big win is one over Bama or Florida or LSU. Certainly Texas, Oklahoma, even USC (despite Kiffin). Those are elite programs and are milestone wins. Penn State, Ohio State, those are very good wins. UGA, Tennessee Auburn are good wins, not great.
Georgia Sux
May 31st, 2010
9:41 pm
Always have……always will.
jesse james
May 31st, 2010
9:42 pm
Once again the SEC is going to be tuff. Traditionally we have trouble scoring on South Carolina and we have trouble stopping Arknasas. It is going to be an interesting year. I still wonder about Auburn, the coaching change at Kentucky and I am not sure LSU is not going to struggle alot. I don’t see Florida missing a beat except I can’t help but believe they will miss Charlie Strong.
when will mark richt ever win a nc?
May 31st, 2010
9:43 pm
NEVER!! HAHHA
Mega Fone
May 31st, 2010
9:45 pm
There are 5 games that Georgia will have the toughest time winning.
Here’s Richt’s record against each time:
Ga Tech 8-1
Ark 5-0
Auburn 4-0
South Carolina 7-2
Florida 2-7
No one’s even ranked in the top 25 except Ark, Florida, and Ga Tech. Richt’s record against Ark & S Car is 12-2.
There’s about a 20% chance Richt will beat Florida, 80% chance Meyer will win that game.
Richt should finish 12-1 or 13-0, depending on the Florida game.
jesse james
May 31st, 2010
9:46 pm
Real World -Beating UGA is a big win. You poll the SEC coaches and they will tell you. Listen to post game interviews and they will tell you. That is what is wrong with you, you have your mind made up and that is not the Real World. Oh Georgia Sux, I see you have a case of jealousy also.
2007 was an illusion
May 31st, 2010
9:47 pm
Uh Check that Auburn record please….
The Real World
May 31st, 2010
9:47 pm
Been to Athens twice. Nice town, nice campus, even your coach is nice. You just happen to have the biggest idiot fans in college football. You all never want to face reality and think that if you don’t win you somehow got cheated or had bad luck. There is a guy that best represents UGA fans and he comments here all the time, his name is Patrick Sulley. He is the poster child (literally and figuratively) for the Bulldawg nation. Anyone who is a regular here knows exactly who I’m talking about.
jesse james
May 31st, 2010
9:50 pm
Why is everybody worried about Mark Richt? He was not hired at UGA to win NC’s. He was hired to put a team on the field every year that you feel like you have a chance to win one. It is called stability. I feel sorry for any coach that is hired just to win NC’s. Hell yea! every coach, administration, fan base and player wants to win a NC. That is why Alabama and Florida better enjoy theirs. They are hard to come by and you have to have alot of luck. Heck I hope Ga wins on every year, but that is not the Real World.
The Real World
May 31st, 2010
10:00 pm
jessie james…I wish we DID live in a world where it wasn’t who won or lost but how you play the game. But unfortunately they keep score and there is always a winner and a loser. To be honest with you, I think most of the coaches in the conference and in CFB try to do it the right way. I respect Richt, Saban and Meyer all as a person and think they try to represent. It’s just that Saban and Meyer know how to motivate and know when to put the hammer down sometimes with just a stare. I’d be scared to death playing for either one of those guys but I’d love ‘em at the same time for maxing my talent.
LONGDUCKDAWG
May 31st, 2010
10:07 pm
Give me the stuff STEELES smoken.
jesse james
May 31st, 2010
10:08 pm
Real World – I agree that Coach Richt probably tries to be a players coach sometimes and was too loyal to his coaches. But I am not going and get on here and bash Coach Meyer or Coach Saban. So I expect the same for Coach Richt. If you haven’t played for him then you can’t voice an opinion. I know this blog is alot of bull and you can’t take it seriously, but everybody loves to take shots at Coach Richt. Those people better wish they were half the man he is. He also has a stare and I have seen him grab face mask and I feel like you will see the real Coach Richt this year. Not that you haven’t, but I believe he is not scared to say he has made mistakes and in athletics you improve by your mistakes.
GT Fan
May 31st, 2010
10:10 pm
To Hell With Georgia.
Go Jackets!
Stinger
May 31st, 2010
10:10 pm
just wondering, who do you play in the regionals in baseball? Say what? you play nobody. What a shame. Just like your football team will be going no where. BWHA, HA,HA,HA,HA. HA.
Mega Fone
May 31st, 2010
10:11 pm
2002 & 2007 were as real as it gets. #2 & #3 finish in the final poll. I’ll take that any year. 90 wins in 9 seasons, 5th best winning % in the NCAA. Richt has gotten real results and, just as he followed 2001 & 2006, pretty bad seasons by Richt’s standards, with a top 3 finish, it’s realistic to expect him to follow a dissapointing 4-4 SEC season with a top 3 type year again. That’s the real world.
Hope Ray
May 31st, 2010
10:14 pm
How about Pete Carrol? He’s not a disciplinarian, but his winning % is higher than Saban’s. 2 National Championships in a short span.
jesse james
May 31st, 2010
10:14 pm
Stinger – Is that you or is that Buzz. It doesn’t matter you both need to hit the weight room. Are you a jacket or a damn goat? Ba HA HA Ha!
Football- we kicked your butt and in basketball too and you better enyoy this year because if UGA was in your regional we would knock you out like we always do.
The Real World
May 31st, 2010
10:15 pm
We’re all happy that you’re happy.
82Dawg
May 31st, 2010
10:17 pm
Stinger …what are you doing on this blog??? you complain when UGA fans come on Techs so whats the difference?
Hope Ray
May 31st, 2010
10:17 pm
Jim Tressel won a National Championship. And he’s milder than Richt. He even wears a sweater vest.
Tony Dungy is quiet and won a Super Bowl.
Phil Jackson was 10 rings, and practices Zen.
Nope, don’t have to be like Sbana and Meyer to win it all. That’s a myth.
The Real World
May 31st, 2010
10:21 pm
Oh, and I’ll be traveling thru Athens on June18th on my way to the mountains of North Carolina. I’ll be driving a “chicane yellow” 370Z. You can all flip me the finger if you like. Catch me if you can.
jesse james
May 31st, 2010
10:21 pm
Hope Ray – One of the greatest coaches and motivators was the late Coach Erk Russell. I saw him do it both ways. It is all about adjustments. To be a good and successful coach you have to be able to make them.
GT Fan
May 31st, 2010
10:21 pm
Florida will win the SEC. Georgia will lose again against Florida even without them having Tebow lol.
Alphare
May 31st, 2010
10:23 pm
As long as dawgs beat gators, it will be a great season.
jesse james
May 31st, 2010
10:26 pm
GT Fan – who will win the UGA-Tech game? Oh yea the one that normally does. Dawgs again and again and again and again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
mdawg
May 31st, 2010
10:27 pm
jesse james………….. the biggest job of a head coach is to have them prepared to win, obviously CMR did not do that when they got blown out at tennessee 2 of the past 3 years…… he did not have them prepared to win when they got beat by south carolina years ago and i can not remember when he prepared his team to win against florida was
Mega Fone
May 31st, 2010
10:27 pm
Glad Richt is back in the room with the QB’s. That’s using his strength. That’s when he’s at his best–he’s EXTREMLY COMPETITIVE. I don’t think manging other people energizes him as much as strategizing and competing.
Richt’s coached in more National Championships than SAban & Meyer combined.
He helped FSU play in 5 National Championships and he’s coached 2 Heisman trophy QB’s.
5 National Championship games is pretty real. Those 2 rings Richt won are real. 2 Heisman trophies are real.
Golden Rules!
May 31st, 2010
10:32 pm
Hook Line and Sinker…U dawg fans be sure to go out and purchase Mr. Steele’s magazine so you can read more.
GT Fan
May 31st, 2010
10:34 pm
jesse james – GT will beat UGA this year. UGA is in rebuilding mode and GT is returning their starting QB and have alot of talented experienced players. UGA is not gonna win the national championship either I hope it’s GT vs. Ala with GT winning it all.
The Real World
May 31st, 2010
10:35 pm
Mega…Mickey Andrews had more to do with those national championships than Bowden and Richt combined. Those fearsome pass rushing defenses were phenomenal and produced All American after All American and a ton of Pros.
jesse james
May 31st, 2010
10:36 pm
Mdawg – I agree last year at Tenn. was embarassing and I feel that is why the coaching changes were made. What do you mean South Carolina years ago. I still say he is the man for the job at UGA. I am not sure what you are? Who has beat Florida lately. You are going to use a couple of games and a team that has beat the hell out of everybody else to judge Coach Richt. The bottom line is that Florida has done a great job. I am not sure that Meyer is that much a better coach than he is. As far as Saban, he will get out when the tide starts turning.