ATHENS — There might be something to Florida coach Dan Mullen’s implication that Georgia had a problem with the Gators not having players wear numbers in pregame warmups.
That has apparently triggered a new SEC rule requiring teams to have players wearing jerseys or displaying their numbers during warmups within 90 minutes of kickoff.
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It’s a rule that has also triggered Mullen.
“That’s because these staffs have like 75 quality control coaches that get all mad because …. they have like 30 guys there trying to take notes, ” Mullen said.
“I think it’s ridiculous to have to do that to be perfectly honest with you. It is the Dan Mullen rule, I think that is horrendously ridiculous. It’s not the game.”
Mullen’s self-professed “rant” led to the following exchange.
Florida Associated Press reporter: “Who do you think turned you in and complained?”
Mullen: “Who do you think?”
Florida Associated Press Reporter: “Georgia.”
Mullen: “You said it not me.”
Fact is, the SEC office has to draw a line somewhere.
Many coaches, including Kirby Smart, don’t submit a dress list before road games.
That’s right, no one knows which Georgia players are dressing unless they scan the field with binoculars and check the names and numbers off.
The Bulldogs aren’t the only program that does that, it’s a growing trend the SEC office was asked about last season.
Georgia is also one of the programs that does not provide a depth chart.
Smart has said he’s not paranoid, yet the Bulldogs have one of the most restrictive practice and scrimmage polices in college football.
If Georgia did out Florida for not having identifiable players in warmups, it’s one more sign Smart leaves no stone unturned and looks for every competitive edge he can get.
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