Hoover, Ala. — Georgia coach Mark Richt said he knows that quarterback Matthew Stafford is rated at the top of many NFL draft boards even though he's only a junior. But Richt said he expects Stafford to return for his senior season.

"I hope that he is the first pick in the draft — two years from now," Richt said. "You know, I'm sure Matthew is going to have to make a tough decision when the season is over. But I know he came to win a lot of games and to win a lot of championships. He came to play great as a collegian. I'm sure he feels like he hasn't reached his full potential as a college player and as a Georgia Bulldog. He is ready to have a great experience and that's what we're hoping for."

RICHT: DOGS NOT NO. 1

Richt said he won't vote Georgia No. 1 when he casts his vote in the coaches poll later this year.

"I doubt it," he said. "The starting point for my poll has always been to choose the consensus of everybody. We're not a consensus No. 1."

According to a compilation done by the SEC of predictions from preseason magazines, Ohio State is the consensus No. 1 pick followed by USC. Georgia and Oklahoma are tied for third.

SABAN: MILES 'RIGHT'

Alabama coach Nick Saban didn't seem very upset when LSU coach Les Miles recently took a jab at Alabama: "a lot of people from Lousiana beat that team last year," a reference to Louisiana-Monroe's upset of the Tide.

"He told the truth," Saban said Thursday. "He told it like it was. You know, we need to earn that respect. That's what we'll work to do."

NUTT LIKES TALENT-BASE

New Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt, who came to Oxford from Arkansas after last season, was complimentary of the recruiting job former Rebels coach Ed Orgeron did.

"I think Ed did an excellent job of recruiting," Nutt said. "There's some holes at different spots, different positions. But if you look at Greg Hardy, Michael Oher, Peria Jerry; look at receivers Michael Wallace, Shay Hodge, Lionel Breaux, Dexter McCluster; boy, there's spots of tremendous athleticism."

FULMER LAUDS BERRY

Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer gushed about Eric Berry before finally concluding that the sophomore defensive back from Fairburn could be one of the best players Tennessee has had in a long time.

"I don't know if you have enough tape to talk about all the things Eric Berry brings," Fulmer said. "He's got great character, great work ethic. He's a very smart young man. He takes academics very seriously. He wants to be a dentist. He brings his A game to practice every day, to the weight room, wherever. I just love all those tangible and intangible things he brings."

ALABAMA-CLEMSON GAME

Richt was diplomatic but you can tell he's not thrilled about the game between Alabama and Clemson in the Georgia Dome on August 30. He has obvious concerns about recruiting implications.

"Well it's good for them," Richt said. "I don't particularly like people trying to grab our players and having a presence in the state. But they were smart enough to do it and I'm sure it will be a good game."