Mark Richt is either the ballsiest head coach in the country or the most desperate. Or both. Reportedly.
With a critical SEC East matchup with rival Florida looming on the horizon, there have been reports that No. 3 quarterback Faton Bauta has been getting some work with the first-team offense this week and could be in line for some type of package of plays in the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. That speculation, though, has taken a hamstring-ripping leap into the WTF: according to Mike Huguenin of GridironNow.com, Bauta will start in place of season-long No. 1 Greyson Lambert in Saturday’s game against the Gators. And in place of season-long No. 2 Bryce Ramsey, for that matter.
Lambert has started all seven games this season, leading the Bulldogs to a 5-2 record overall and 3-2 in SEC play. Bauta, meanwhile, has yet to, other than as a holder, taken a snap from scrimmage in a game this season.
So, in a game in which the winner between the Gators (4-1 in conference) and Bulldogs (3-2) will be in control of the division, the latter is leaving their offensive fate to a quarterback who, again, has yet to take an offensive snap in a game this season? And, if UGA loses, they can all but kiss any shot at a division title goodbye? Again, ballsy or desperate.
One aspect of his game that Bauta has going for him that Lambert doesn’t, though, is the former’s ability to use his legs. 10 carries for 46 yards and a pair of touchdowns in his UGA career is hardly a rock-solid reason for a switch, but Lambert this season has been credited with, including sacks, minus-16 yards on 16 carries. For his career, which includes two years at Virginia, Lambert has 60 carries for minus-77 yards.
If anything, this move, if it comes to fruition, will add yet another layer to a storied rivalry already thick with them. Whether it’s the right move for Richt will still need to play out. And whether it’s a move that actually plays out remains to be seen as well. From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
