SEC Notebook: UGA's title expectations

HOOVER, Ala. — With their strong finish last season have come great expectations for the Georgia Bulldogs heading into the 2008 season. Some might say the expectations have soared off the charts.

Georgia coach Mark Richt said he saw this coming after the Bulldogs' rout of undefeated Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl, which came after regular season-ending victories over Florida, Auburn, Kentucky and Georgia Tech.

"People started talking national championship after the Sugar Bowl," he said. "That's too long to be chewing on that bone, so to speak. We had to break it down into the smallest component, which is today. What can you do today to get better and to prepare yourself for the opportunity?

"I told the players that this preseason hype could be a blessing or a curse. It's a curse if you think it gives you a sense of entitlement to where you think you don't have to prepare. It could be a blessing if you look at it as one of the greatest opportunities of your life and you put the work in to even be in a position to have a chance.

"The latter, I think, is what we took on as a team. As I watch them work, I don't see any complacency. I see guys working extremely hard and getting excited about it. That's kind of how we're trying to handle it."

Another Tebow?

Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford is viewed as one of the nation's best dropback passers. He's also apparently a pretty fair runner, which the Bulldogs will reveal this season.

"I think he's got much more running ability than I think people give him credit for," Richt said. "We have incorporated the quarterback run with Matthew because he's a legitimate runner.

"He's a guy that if you don't make a plan for him, then you could get hurt by him. We don't want to game-plan it where he's going to be a runner, you know, 10 or 20 times a game. But we'll pick our spots."

Richt said he also hopes to reveal another side to tailback Knowshon Moreno as well this season. Moreno can do more than just run, Richt said.

"He's versatile enough to do something besides be an I-back, no question," he said. "(Moreno and Stafford) do give you some good versatility."

Summer reading

Alabama coach Nick Saban drew a chuckle to his response when he was asked if he reads Freud or Norman Vincent Peel.

"I'm from West Virginia, man," he said. "We don't even know who Freud is up there."

Saban said he does have an interest in psychology and sports psychology.

"I just read Michael Johnson's book, ‘Slaying the Dragon'," he said. "I always read Rick Pitino, Rick Reilly.

"I spend a lot of time discussing how to manage people with these people who are involved in our program. I think it helps you think out of the box a little bit."

No return shot

This summer, LSU coach Les Miles took a good poke at Alabama when he said during a speaking engagement that Tiger fans didn't need to worry about the Tide because Alabama can't beat teams from the state of Louisiana. This was a reference to Alabama's stunning home loss to Louisiana-Monroe last season.

Saban elected not to return fire Thursday.

"Well, he told the truth," Saban said. "He told it like it was.

"You know, we need to earn it. That's what the guy told Pvt. Ryan (in the movie "Saving Private Ryan"). Tom Hanks told Pvt. Ryan on the bridge after 12 guys got killed getting him out of there to, ‘Earn this.'

"We need to earn the respect. That's what we'll work to do."

Saban makes his much-anticipated return to Tiger Stadium on Nov. 8.

Nutt settles in

It seemed a little surreal seeing Houston Nutt stand at the podium as the coach at Ole Miss after being at Arkansas for 10 seasons. But Nutt says he already feels at home in his new job.

"You know, it feels like I've been here a long time," he said. "It's the way I feel right now. I think it's because the transition has been so smooth.

"This was a good move for our coaches' families. You feel that way. You feel the players feel that way. You just feel good about it."

Nutt will make his return to Arkansas on Oct. 25, when the Rebels face the Hogs.

"You can't help but think about it," he said.

"You grew up in Arkansas, you thought at one time you'd be there for life. I had 10 great years there working with some great people.

"You can't help but think what it's going to be like coming in from the visitor's side. But quickly, my mind goes back to Memphis (and the season opener)."