Throwdowns > Forfeited

JB: said 12/01, 10:33 PM
Carlos Dunlap, DE of the Florida Gators was arrested for drunk driving.

Carlos was suspended indefinetely by the University, and will not be playing in Saturday's SEC Championship game. But the debate will linger.. should he play in Florida's bowl game?

I say no.

Carlos "fell asleep over the wheel of his car and was stopped as several green lights went on". Florida has acted swiftly in suspending him for Saturday's game. But that does not answer the question of if he should play in the bowl game. Just because the inevitable BCS game is a month away, it doesn't mean that his suspension of one month will be sufficient. He would only miss one game.

It shouldn't matter what game they play if. If they lose Saturday and are awarded an at-large bid, I can see Florida keeping the suspension because it's a "less important" game. But he should also be suspended if the play in the title game. It shouldn't matter if they are playing Charleston Southern or Texas in the national championship game. He shouldn't play again this year.

JB: said 12/02, 12:42 AM
My friend, you are terribly misinformed.

LeGarrette Blount, Oregon's running back was suspended indefinitely BY OREGON. The NCAA had nothing to do with it. He wasn't gone six weeks either. Try 10 weeks. And he was only reinstated after having to reach many academic and personal goals. Only then was he given the chance to suit up again. He has also yet to play in a game since his reinstatement. Two totally seperate issues.

And it's unfair to compare Dez Bryant to this situation. Lying to the NCAA about a meeting with Deion Sanders and drunk driving are two seperate issues.

Florida should not treat this any differently just because they are playing Alabama and then potentially for a national championship. If they were playing Charleston Southern and Florida International, Dunlap would miss both games. He also has to miss these two games. The action should have the same punishment regardless of who you are lining up against.

Dunlap should feel fortunate that he got no one hurt or killed, and that he'll be a first rounder next April and he'll be able to start an NFL career while this becomes part of his past.

JB: said 12/03, 01:43 PM
Sorry.. but I'm not going to accept a draw. I understand that you tried your best, but it's 13-2.. a draw doesn't make sense.

I believe this actually is arguable. You brought up several key points about the inconsistency of the NCAA with handling suspensions.

But Dunlap's situation is different. People go to jail for drunk driving. I don't think Carlos should have any reason to think that he should play in the two games. Like I said, in a few months, he will be standing up on stage with Mr. Goodell holding up a jersey and smiling for pictures. Florida, NCAA, and Dunlap must all understand the severity of his arrest and suspending him for the rest of the year is appropriate.