NCAA Odds: Georgia WR A.J. Green Latest Player Held Out

A.J. Green is arguably the top receiver in the nation. (AP Images)

Easily the biggest storyline, unfortunately, of Week 1 of the college football season is how many players are being either suspended or held out by their schools because of an ongoing NCAA investigation over alleged improper contact between agents and players on several teams.

And the latest player to sit is Georgia star wide receiver A.J. Green, who is out for at least Saturday’s opener against Louisiana-Lafayette – the Dawgs won’t really miss him today as they are 30.5-point favorites on Bodog’s NCAA odds. But certainly Green, the team’s best player, would be missed if he’s out next week against a South Carolina team that looked tremendous on Thursday night.

Georgia issued a release Saturday saying Green would miss Saturday’s game "pursuant to UGA Athletic Association policy and pending a ruling from the NCAA clarifying his status." Green, an All-American candidate and likely first-round pick in next year’s NFL draft, had 53 catches for 808 yards and six touchdowns last season.

The Bulldogs, ranked 23rd in the Associated Press preseason poll, had been notified by the NCAA late last month that it had begun a review over whether one Georgia player had violated NCAA rules. All these teams are suspending players because teams can be forced to vacate victories if it later is determined they used an ineligible player. It’s not known when this NCAA investigation will conclude, so this could affect a handful of teams for weeks.

The Bulldogs now have four players suspended for the opener. Running back Washaun Ealey, receiver Tavarres King and safety Alec Ogletree were all suspended by Georgia coach Mark Richt because of arrests.

Be a player and bet on Georgia Bulldogs futures at Bodog. Of course those futures might change if Green’s suspension lingers.