Nonconference opponents (with 2013 record)
Aug. 30: Clemson (11-2)
Sept. 20: Troy (6-6)
Nov. 22: Charleston Southern (10-3)
Nov. 29: Georgia Tech (7-6)
SEC home games
Sept. 27: Tennessee (5-7)
Oct. 4: Vanderbilt (9-4)
Nov. 15 Auburn (12-2)
SEC road games
Sept. 13: South Carolina (11-2)
Oct. 11: Missouri (12-2)
Oct. 18: Arkansas (3-9) at Little Rock, Arkansas
Nov. 1: Florida (4-8) at Jacksonville, Florida
Nov. 8: Kentucky (2-10)
Gut-check time: Just like last season, Georgia’s gut check comes right out of the gate. The Bulldogs open at home against a Clemson team that must replace most of its most important offensive playmakers from a season ago. That might make Georgia the favorite, but this is a rivalry known for close games and this one should be no different. After an open date, the Bulldogs return to action at South Carolina in what could be one of the most important games in the SEC East this season. The Gamecocks haven’t lost at home since midway through the 2011 season and had beaten Georgia three consecutive times before the Bulldogs prevailed in a shootout early last season. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the winner of this game go on to represent the division in Atlanta, with the outcome of this game serving as the deciding factor in the division championship.
Trap game: Calling the trip to Missouri a “trap game” isn’t especially accurate, considering that the Tigers won the division last season. That Mizzou team doesn’t particularly resemble the one that will take the field this fall, however, and the Bulldogs will already have played several important games by the time this trip arrives in October, including home dates against Tennessee and Vanderbilt just before traveling to Columbia, Missouri. Mizzou’s early schedule isn't nearly as demanding, so the Tigers should be fairly fresh by the time Georgia arrives in town, meaning this should be a big challenge for the Bulldogs.
Snoozer: Charleston Southern is a strong FCS program, but this should be a welcome reprieve for a Georgia club that will be coming off what should be a battle royale against Auburn, with a home date against Georgia Tech on deck. There aren’t many obvious gimmes on the Bulldogs’ schedule, but this should be an opportunity for the freshmen and walk-ons to get some late action between Sanford Stadium’s famous hedges.
Telltale stretch: Between the time Georgia plays its Oct. 4 home date against Vanderbilt and when the Bulldogs play their next game at Sanford Stadium – Nov. 15 against Auburn – we should have a good idea just how legitimate the Bulldogs’ title hopes are for 2014. The Bulldogs will play four consecutive games away from Athens, starting with the visit to Mizzou and following with dates at Arkansas, against Florida in Jacksonville and at Kentucky. Obviously the Florida game will again have a huge say in whether Georgia remains in the Eastern Division race, and the others – particularly the Missouri game – have the potential to be treacherous. If you tell Mark Richt today that the Bulldogs will have a chance to win the East by the time this road streak ends, he'll be thrilled.
Final analysis: With much of its offensive firepower back from last season – minus quarterback Aaron Murray, of course – along with most of the starters from a young, inconsistent defense, Georgia has the potential to win the East for the third time in four seasons. This schedule will be a good test for the Bulldogs, however. Home dates against ACC clubs Clemson and Georgia Tech bookend what will be a challenging SEC schedule. The Bulldogs haven’t won at South Carolina since a thriller in 2008, so that game should set the tone for the Eastern Division race. Then you have the typical challenges that come from facing Auburn, Florida, Missouri, Tennessee and Vanderbilt. It’s manageable, particularly if the Bulldogs dodge the injury issues that hit their roster in 2013, but they will have certainly earned the division title if they return to Atlanta in December.