THERE'S A REASON RICHT IS SHOWERING THE COMMODORES WITH RESPECT

"We've got a great respect for the Eastern Division-leading Commodores," Georgia Coach Mark Richt is saying.

Actually, Georgia is tied with Vanderbilt for the Eastern Division lead. Both have records of 5-1 and 3-1 in the conference.

Let's face it: Richt wouldn't be saying Florida leads the division when he's tied with them. When he plays Florida, he wants his boys to believe they're as good as the Gators. When he plays Vanderbilt, he wants his boys to believe that the Commodores are as good as they are.

What happened last season when Georgia pulled out a last-second victory over the Commodores in Nashville after losing to them the year before? They danced on the star at midfield. It was surely the first time that a college football powerhouse gloated over a three-point victory over Vanderbilt.

Richt was livid. Was he livid because the Bulldogs were disrespecting somebody? No, he was livid because they were acting like beating Vanderbilt was a big deal. Their next game was against Florida, and that's what he was worried about.

So what happened when Georgia played Florida? Richt commanded his Bulldogs to draw a celebration penalty when they scored against the Gators. It was a brilliant move and certainly got under the skin of a certain Urban Meyer.

So today, with LSU and Florida next on the schedule, Richt is urging his team to focus on the "Eastern Division-leading Commodores."

If they do, this probably won't be much of a game.

If they don't, well, then the same thing might happen that happened last week when Vanderbilt faced the Western Division trailing Mississippi State Bulldogs.

Of course, that's wishful thinking.