HOOVER, Ala. — Greg McElroy has about as much insight into the Georgia football as anyone outside the program, and the former Alabama quarterback likes what he sees from the Bulldogs.

A lot.

“I love Georgia this year, I really do,” said McElroy, who led the Tide to an undefeated record and national championship in 2009, back when Kirby Smart was on the Alabama coaching staff.

“I’d be absolutely shocked if Georgia’s not in the College Football Playoff conversation.”

McElroy provided color analysis for the Bulldogs’ G-Day Game, meeting with the staff in the days leading up to it to get a read on the team.

It has been well-documented that Georgia’s receiving ranks are thinned out, with the top five pass catchers from the 2018 roster no longer on the team.

McElroy, however, shrugged that off.

“With all due respect to the wide receiver position, I think you can find productivity there,” McElroy said. “I’m encouraged by what Demetris Robertson might become, and I think (Tyler) Simmons has a chance.

“I know they like some of the young guys that are coming up, Matt Landers in particular, couple that with the fact the running game is going to be remarkably strong and they have the best offensive line in college football.”

McElroy said he still wants to see more from Smart’s defense, however.

“The one thing I want to see is I want to see that havoc rate that Kirby Smart so often talks about,” McElroy said. “You can’t consider yourself an elite defensive unit and be 11th in the league in sacks. I want to see those numbers go up, and they have the personnel to do it.”

McElroy, who stars on several ESPN and SEC Network platforms, also shared his thoughts on the power in the SEC East Division:

Greg McElroy