Another Garcia suspension: What it means for Georgia

There are five months and four days until South Carolina visits Georgia in the SEC opener for both. Whether the Gamecocks enter Athens as the East Division favorite looks like it will now depend on one thing: The status of quarterback Stephen Garcia.

Garcia was suspended - yet again - by South Carolina on Wednesday. The length was "indefinite" according to athletics director Eric Hyman, who released a rather harsh statement:

“Being a student-athlete at the University of South Carolina is a privilege, not a right. We have expectations for our student-athletes and we make them aware that there are consequences for their actions. Stephen has exhibited behavior that is unacceptable for one of our student-athletes. Therefore, he has forfeited the privilege to participate in any football related activity until further notice.”

There was no official word yet on what Garcia did this time. (He told the AP it didn't involve an arrest or anything alcohol-related, but The State is reporting that Garcia showed up at a campus event smelling of alcohol.)

The question now is whether this is the last straw, or Garcia eventually gets back in the good graces of the school and is reinstated. The rest of the division, and the league, will be watching.

Garcia is not the main reason the Gamecocks were likely to be division favorites. Running back Marcus Lattimore, receiver Alshon Jeffery, cornerback Stephon Gilmore, and stud recruit Jadeveon Clowney (a defensive end) are more highly-regarded.

But quarterback is quarterback, and Garcia is a fifth-year senior. His backup, Connor Shaw, is a sophomore who got some playing time last year, but it's safe to assume the Gamecocks would be better off with Garcia under center.

Stay tuned on this one.