Richt "wouldn't vote" to play GSU in future

ATHENS – With the season opening game against Georgia Southern only days away, Georgia’s Head Coach expressed some apprehension about playing the Eagles.

Sure, Mark Richt gave the media the same old coach speak about playing Georgia Southern that he normally does: they’re fast; they know how to win, and their motivated.

“It’s tough to beat teams that are used to winning,” he told the media today. “They have confidence, and for good reason.”

“I’d much rather play a Division I team that isn’t used to winning rather than a Division I-AA team that wins a lot,” said Richt. “Southern is an exciting opponent for everyone in the state of Georgia. They know how to win, they¹ve really been doing nothing but winning since they began their program. They are a dangerous team and they¹re difficult to beat.”

That may by why Richt is not ready to endorse playing Georgia Southern in the future. Georgia has little to gain from a win over Georgia Southern, and the Eagles

“I have not gotten into the scheduling of Georgia Southern; I wouldn’t vote for it. Somebody said we are going to play them every four years, and if that’s the case, then that’s great; we’ll play whoever is on the schedule”

Asked if Georgia Tech should schedule Georgia Southern, Richt responded: “That’s for them to decide.” The Yellow Jackets and Eagles have never met.

The Bulldogs recently signed a deal to play Arizona State in 2008 and 2009. Georgia has also played Clemson in the past two years. Many fans have been clamoring for a matchup with Big 12 powers Nebraska and Oklahoma.

Richt was on staff at Florida State when the Seminoles nearly lost to Georgia Southern in the late 1980s. He said he might “mention” that game to his team, but that it was not likely.