Spring Break
Preseason rankings predict tough season ahead
Dogs' preseason spot varies
MICHAEL FITZPATRICK
Issue date: 7/17/08 Section: Sports
As the college football season approaches, so does the anticipated release of the preseason college football rankings. Since Georgia is slated to be ranked anywhere between No. 1 and No. 3 in many publications, being placed any further down will certainly raise a few eyebrows.
When Phil Steele released his college football preview, his placement of Florida as No. 1 and the Bulldogs as No. 9 is certain to draw the ire of Georgia faithful.
No.1 - Georgia
No. 2 - USC
No. 3 - Ohio State
No. 4 - Oklahoma
No. 5 - Missouri
No. 6 - Florida
No. 7 - LSU
No. 8 - Texas
No. 9 - Clemson
No. 10 - West Virginia
Athlon Rankings:
No.1 - Florida
No. 2 - Ohio State
No. 3 - Oklahoma
No. 4 - USC
No. 5 - Georgia
No. 6 - Missouri
No. 7 - West Virginia
No. 8 - Auburn
No. 9 - LSU
No. 10 - Clemson
"One of the reasons that he has Florida over Georgia in that aspect is because a lot of it has to do with the scheduling," media relations assistant Joey Lucci said. "When you look at what Florida has to do, they don't leave the state of Florida too much and the games that they have on the road are all in the winnable category. Vanderbilt and Arkansas are in a re-building year. If you look at Georgia, their schedule is a lot tougher than it was last year, especially with that four-game stretch between LSU and Auburn. With Florida not having to leave the state as much and with Tim Tebow being much healthier than last year, they are a little better off."
Steele's publication differs from others because he ranks teams according to where they are projected to finish the season, Lucci said.
"[Steele] has Florida [at No. 1] because that's where he is projecting them to finish," Lucci added. "He knows Georgia will be ranked No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 and, most likely, No. 1 in the AP poll, and last year he had Georgia ranked a lot higher than other publications. But their schedule is so difficult. They are very talented, [quarterback Matthew] Stafford, (tailback Knowshon) Moreno, eight returning starters on offense and nine on defense, and he has them playing the third toughest schedule in the country. Those rankings are geared to what will happen during the season. But he knows Georgia will start at the top."
Other publications, such as the Sporting News and Lindy's, have Georgia ranked No. 1, while the College Football News has them second and Athlon has them fifth.
Lucci added that Steele would probably rank Georgia No. 1 in a regular poll, but his poll is modeled differently.
"If they win the SEC championship, they will be in the National championship game," Lucci said. "But making the SEC title (game) is as difficult a task as any."
The Associated Press and USA Today football polls will not be released until next month.
When Phil Steele released his college football preview, his placement of Florida as No. 1 and the Bulldogs as No. 9 is certain to draw the ire of Georgia faithful.
FOOTBALL RANKINGS
Lindys Rankings:No.1 - Georgia
No. 2 - USC
No. 3 - Ohio State
No. 4 - Oklahoma
No. 5 - Missouri
No. 6 - Florida
No. 7 - LSU
No. 8 - Texas
No. 9 - Clemson
No. 10 - West Virginia
Athlon Rankings:
No.1 - Florida
No. 2 - Ohio State
No. 3 - Oklahoma
No. 4 - USC
No. 5 - Georgia
No. 6 - Missouri
No. 7 - West Virginia
No. 8 - Auburn
No. 9 - LSU
No. 10 - Clemson
"One of the reasons that he has Florida over Georgia in that aspect is because a lot of it has to do with the scheduling," media relations assistant Joey Lucci said. "When you look at what Florida has to do, they don't leave the state of Florida too much and the games that they have on the road are all in the winnable category. Vanderbilt and Arkansas are in a re-building year. If you look at Georgia, their schedule is a lot tougher than it was last year, especially with that four-game stretch between LSU and Auburn. With Florida not having to leave the state as much and with Tim Tebow being much healthier than last year, they are a little better off."
Steele's publication differs from others because he ranks teams according to where they are projected to finish the season, Lucci said.
"[Steele] has Florida [at No. 1] because that's where he is projecting them to finish," Lucci added. "He knows Georgia will be ranked No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 and, most likely, No. 1 in the AP poll, and last year he had Georgia ranked a lot higher than other publications. But their schedule is so difficult. They are very talented, [quarterback Matthew] Stafford, (tailback Knowshon) Moreno, eight returning starters on offense and nine on defense, and he has them playing the third toughest schedule in the country. Those rankings are geared to what will happen during the season. But he knows Georgia will start at the top."
Other publications, such as the Sporting News and Lindy's, have Georgia ranked No. 1, while the College Football News has them second and Athlon has them fifth.
Lucci added that Steele would probably rank Georgia No. 1 in a regular poll, but his poll is modeled differently.
"If they win the SEC championship, they will be in the National championship game," Lucci said. "But making the SEC title (game) is as difficult a task as any."
The Associated Press and USA Today football polls will not be released until next month.
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