Mark Richt Rules With an Iron Fist (Or, With Job Security in Mind)

"“We have certain standards in all that we do and their actions do not reflect the Georgia way,” Richt said in a statement released by UGA Sports Communications on Tuesday afternoon. “They will serve their suspensions, learn a lesson and I’m sure will be better men for it.”"

Interestingly, Richt had a weekly conference call two hours prior to this announcement, and made no mention of the suspensions. Don’t expect the missing players to matter against New Mexico State. The Bulldogs are favored by 34.

What makes this story truly great is this report from one of those team sites ESPN gobbled up:

"a source told DawgNation that the three players were disciplined for failing a drug test that was administered last week before Georgia’s 24-20 victory over Southeastern Conference archrival Florida in Jacksonville. The source had no knowledge of when the test results were known."

Ah. Now the full story emerges. Richt knew he needed Crowell against the Gators – 18 carries, 81 yards – and couldn’t sit the freshman despite a failed drug test. Richt’s coaching for his job, and how could he go into a pivotal game against a rival without his best running back? A Georgia loss to Florida would have pushed the Bulldogs a game back of South Carolina in the SEC East, it would have ended UGA’s 5-game winning streak, and it would have ratcheted up all the Mike Gundy rumors that are bubbling beneath the surface in Athens.

(Can they get Gundy, the Oklahoma State coach? Who knows. That’s the name I keep hearing as a top target should Richt falter and not get to the SEC title game.)

Fun fact about the 2011 Bulldogs: They have not beaten a team that currently has a winning record. Florida, Vanderbilt and Mississippi State – Richt’s three best wins this season – are all 4-4.