SoCalPatrick
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Ohio State is Steele's preseason No. 1 team, while Alabama is his pick to win the Southeastern Conference. Nick Saban's Crimson Tide went 11-2 last season with losses to LSU and Auburn, which resulted in them missing out on college football's four-team playoff for the first time since its inception in 2014.
"I'm not enamored with Mac Jones at quarterback, but I am enamored with the rest of the Alabama team," Steele said. "They have my No. 1-ranked offensive line in the country. They were rather young on that line last year, but this year it's a veteran unit. They've got great receivers with Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith, and they have one of the best running back corps in the country with Najee Harris, Trey Sanders and Brian Robinson.
"Their defense has (linebackers) Dylan Moses and Joshua McMillon back from injuries, and it's a more veteran defense than normal. They didn't lose as many guys to the NFL draft as they normally do. I'm looking for Alabama to have a better defense and a very good offense with my No. 1 offensive line."
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When asked about SEC surprises from a good and bad standpoint, Steele picked Texas A&M and Mississippi State.
"Texas A&M played three teams that were ranked No. 1 last season (Clemson, Alabama and LSU), and they played a No. 4 team (Georgia) and a No. 8 team (Auburn)," Steele said. "This year, they play the nation's 66th-toughest schedule and are No. 10 on my experience chart.
"I think Mike Leach is stepping into a tough situation at Mississippi State by taking a running team and turning it into a passing team. That could be a two- or three-year process."
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National college football analyst Phil Steele on a quick-hitting range of topics:
Q: Of all the coaches youāve interviewed, who is the least optimistic of having a football season this year?
A: āTroy Calhoun of Air Force.ā
Q: Who has the better first season in the Magnolia State, Mike Leach or Lane Kiffin?
A: āLane Kiffin. He is inheriting a lot of talented players who were freshmen last year.ā
Q: Former Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville is running for the U.S. Senate. Which current coach would make the best politician?
A: āStanfordās David Shaw.ā
Q: Who is Georgiaās starting quarterback, JT Daniels or Jamie Newman?
A: āIām going with Newman. Heās been in Athens all year, and heās a quality quarterback who did a great job at Wake Forest last year.ā
Q: Who wins the national championship, provided there is a way to determine one?
A: āI picked Ohio State as my preseason No. 1, so thatās who Iāll stick with. Ryan Day did a great job last year, and he has a lot of talent returning.ā
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"I'm not enamored with Mac Jones at quarterback, but I am enamored with the rest of the Alabama team," Steele said. "They have my No. 1-ranked offensive line in the country. They were rather young on that line last year, but this year it's a veteran unit. They've got great receivers with Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith, and they have one of the best running back corps in the country with Najee Harris, Trey Sanders and Brian Robinson.
"Their defense has (linebackers) Dylan Moses and Joshua McMillon back from injuries, and it's a more veteran defense than normal. They didn't lose as many guys to the NFL draft as they normally do. I'm looking for Alabama to have a better defense and a very good offense with my No. 1 offensive line."
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When asked about SEC surprises from a good and bad standpoint, Steele picked Texas A&M and Mississippi State.
"Texas A&M played three teams that were ranked No. 1 last season (Clemson, Alabama and LSU), and they played a No. 4 team (Georgia) and a No. 8 team (Auburn)," Steele said. "This year, they play the nation's 66th-toughest schedule and are No. 10 on my experience chart.
"I think Mike Leach is stepping into a tough situation at Mississippi State by taking a running team and turning it into a passing team. That could be a two- or three-year process."
**********
National college football analyst Phil Steele on a quick-hitting range of topics:
Q: Of all the coaches youāve interviewed, who is the least optimistic of having a football season this year?
A: āTroy Calhoun of Air Force.ā
Q: Who has the better first season in the Magnolia State, Mike Leach or Lane Kiffin?
A: āLane Kiffin. He is inheriting a lot of talented players who were freshmen last year.ā
Q: Former Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville is running for the U.S. Senate. Which current coach would make the best politician?
A: āStanfordās David Shaw.ā
Q: Who is Georgiaās starting quarterback, JT Daniels or Jamie Newman?
A: āIām going with Newman. Heās been in Athens all year, and heās a quality quarterback who did a great job at Wake Forest last year.ā
Q: Who wins the national championship, provided there is a way to determine one?
A: āI picked Ohio State as my preseason No. 1, so thatās who Iāll stick with. Ryan Day did a great job last year, and he has a lot of talent returning.ā
Phil Steele's publication is out; will there be a college football season to match it? | Chattanooga Times Free Press
Whether it's a delayed college football season, a shortened season or even a season at all, Phil Steele has met his obligation.
www.timesfreepress.com
