Marc Weiszer of the ABH reports that Smith, arrested for his second alcohol-related offense, won’t be suspended by the University. The next offense would result in expulsion though, and any Code of Conduct violations not alcohol-related could result in suspension.

That leaves the ball in Mark Richt’s court. Smith has already been suspended for the next six football games which includes the Chick-fil-A bowl and the first five games next season. Smith had been expected to move into the starting center position next year, but Georgia will have to find an answer.

The question remains what this will mean for Smith’s career. After five games next year, Georgia will have a starting center established and probably won’t be likely to move him aside for someone with Smith’s experience level. Then would he be good enough to supplant that starter in 2008? This great opportunity has been slammed shut for now, and it will be a long road back to the starting lineup.

Hopefully the end result of the suspension and everything else is for Smith to get straight and finish out his college career. Whether that includes meaningful contribution to the football program is up to him now.