Obviously, if we win, none of this matters. But if you are Sark, you have to play the long game and think about the following, IMO. And I personally think it is better to NOT play in the SEC CG - that game is going to be a beating no matter what, and UGA is playing for the lives in that game - if they lose, they are out of the CFP for sure.
If he plays Arch:
And loses:
Is it close(3-7 points)? If yes, then I believe the CFP committee will say ok, they are in.
If not close: Does the CFP committee say, "hey, they aren't the same team now without Ewers, so they don't deserve to be in". Especially if Arch looks sped up and not ready for primetime (just due to the environment)
Or, do you play a hurt Ewers and take your chances:
Close loss: we are in the CFP. And if he has to sub in Arch, and Arch keeps it close, same thing = CFP.
Bad loss: probably out, especially if he has to play Arch and we still lose bad (see above).
So honestly, Sark has to decide if a hurt Ewers can keep it close in a loss scenario.
If he plays Arch:
And loses:
Is it close(3-7 points)? If yes, then I believe the CFP committee will say ok, they are in.
If not close: Does the CFP committee say, "hey, they aren't the same team now without Ewers, so they don't deserve to be in". Especially if Arch looks sped up and not ready for primetime (just due to the environment)
Or, do you play a hurt Ewers and take your chances:
Close loss: we are in the CFP. And if he has to sub in Arch, and Arch keeps it close, same thing = CFP.
Bad loss: probably out, especially if he has to play Arch and we still lose bad (see above).
So honestly, Sark has to decide if a hurt Ewers can keep it close in a loss scenario.