It seems that almost everytime I read something about the upcoming college football season, I see where another player has been suspended or dismissed from the team. What’s wrong with these guys? The reason most often given is the generic “violation of team rules.” That is a vast area that I’m sure covers a plethora of rules and guidelines.

Most of the time a police report is not included in the notice, so we don’t really know what went on. It could be a variety of things, but in today’s society we normally think about drug use. It may not involve drugs, but I think we tend to lean in that direction and this may be unfair. If not drugs, it probably has something to do with alcohol or DUI. Too much freedom to make bad decisions.

No matter what the reason, one has to wonder what is going on in these guys’ minds. They have been given a tremendous opportunity to perform for a quality institution in a stadium filled with thousands of cheering admirers and earn acclaim and recognition beyond what every other student can imagine.

Yes, I know that they have to work very hard, giving up their free time, to prepare for the season, but the rewards are worth the effort. These guys are adored by their team’s fans and supporters and they are recognized wherever they go. They lead a great life!

Every team has rules that are set for the betterment of the entire team. Most of these rules are simple and can easily be understood. Coaches drill the rules into the players’ minds, as well as the many obstacles and challenges they will meet in their everyday public life. They are well-prepared to withstand the challenges that come their way. Some just can’t make it!

If they’re good enough, they will probably still get a chance at professional football. but their resume is tarnished forever. With the money spent by NFL teams, they put a great deal of emphasis on a player’s personal record and habits. They will check them out thoroughly and a drug/alcohol record will be hard to overcome and will surely cost a player loades of money.

Well, it seems that many of these fellows can’t live up to the requirements placed on them by their teams. Let’s look at some of the more visible dismissals and suspensions from recent days.

Michael Dyer was a key performer on Auburn’s 2010 National Championship team. He rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his first two years on the Plains. He was dismissed from the team before last year’s bowl game. He transferred to Arkansas State and has since been dismissed from that squad as well. A talented athlete with professional ability, Dyer just hasn’t figured it out!

Well Auburn needed a quarterback badly so they signed Zeke Pike, a highly rated QB out of Kentucky. Pike enrolled early and made it through spring drills before he was dismissed. I guess he just couldn’t deal with the freedoms of being a young college student away from home.

After leading Georgia in rushing as a freshman, Isiah Crowell will not be in a Dogs’ uniform this season. He was kicked off the team by Mark Richt for violating those “team rule.”. He was seemingly a prima donna in high school and couldn’t deal with the discipline in Athens.

Georgia had already lost Sanford Seay, Chris Sanders, and Nick Marshall for the 2012 season. These were not first line players but the reasons were still the same.

Probably the highest profile dismissal was Tyrann Mathieu at LSU. This guy was a 2011 All-Amercan and a Heisman Trophy candidate. The “Honey Badger” did have drug problems and it has cost him greatly.

Tennessee dismissed the SEC’s 2011 leading receiver, Da’Rick Rogers, Florida State got rid of potential All-American Greg Reid, and Notre Dame suspended Cierre Wood, their leading rusher from last year. These are big-time performers and their absence will have an impact on their teams’ success. Why can’t these guys behave and go by the rules?

One dismissal will open a door for a former Upson-Lee player. Auburn center Reese Dismukes was suspended for the Tigers’ opener with Clemson at the Georgia Dome and the new starting pivot for Auburn will be former Knight Tunde Fariyike. Tunde is a red-shirt sophomore for the Tigers and he will have a great opportunity to show the Tigers’ coaches that he can do the job against a very good Clemson team on national television.

Fariyike’s teammates consider him to be the team’s best student, as he majors in biomedical sciences in preparation to become a doctor. The mental part of the game will not be a problem for Tunde and all Auburn fans can be assured that he will perform admirably in the spotlight. According to the reports that I have read, he is aware of his opportunity and ready to do a good job. Coach Gene Chizik and his staff have confidence in Tunde and Tiger fans should too.

Good Luck Tunde! We will all be watching!