If Arkansas Had Georgia Schedule, Razorbacks Would Be in Title Hunt Also

Bulldogs may have softest schedule in modern SEC history, but balance coming in 2024

Author:
Kent Smith
Updated:
Jul 18, 2023 12:23 PM EDT
Original:
Jul 18, 2023

In this story:

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – During his discussion about the process the SEC used to determine what to do when getting rid of divisions, commissioner Greg Sankey talked about how in 2018 schools got together for talks that were heavily centered on teams wanting to address a way to make schedules fair and balanced.

It came up again to such a degree when talks about scrapping divisions resumed again in 2021 that an effort was made to formally define what is considered fair and what the idea of balance truly means. It seems odd from the perspective of the SEC West that there would be concern about teams wanting schedules that are fair and balanced because of how daunting each member's schedule is. That is until the Georgia schedule rolled across the screen prior to Kirby Smart's appearance on SEC media days Tuesday morning.

vs. UT-Martin
vs. Ball State
vs. South Carolina
vs. UAB
@ Auburn
vs. Kentucky
@ Vanderbilt
vs. Florida
vs. Missouri
vs. Ole Miss
@ Tennessee
@Georgia Tech

There's not a single game that would make Arkansas fans feel like there's not a solid chance to come away with a win. This is a possible undefeated season for the Razorbacks. Only Tennessee would be cause for pause. What's more, there are only three games more than 30 miles outside of Georgia. Two of those are at Auburn and at Vanderbilt.

Vanderbilt is suprisingly improved. The Commodores were a missed field goal or a fumble near the goal line from being in a bowl game last season, which would have kept Missouri from being bowl eligible. However, no one is afraid to go into Nashville and play Vanderbilt in a stadium packed with their own fans.

Auburn will be much improved over last season under Hugh Freeze, but, for at least this season, it's one of the more desirable road trips to have on the schedule. South Carolina will be a minor threat, but that game is at home. Kentucky will also be a minor threat, but the Wildcats come to Athens also.

If Arkansas had this schedule, there would be no issue with saying the Razorbacks should win nine games with a solid chance to win 11. There wouldn't even be an issue with saying the Hogs could win all 12. But Sam Pittman isn't leading his team against a Georgia schedule. He's leading Arkansas against a schedule that has seven wins, perhaps eight if you squint really hard. Instead of having no games that appear to be guaranteed losses, the Razorbacks have two, probably three games that will be considered major upsets if they pull it off.

When the season ends, the nation will have no idea how good the Bulldogs are. They might not be as good as Arkansas. History and recruiting rankings say they probably are, but there's no true benchmark on that schedule to say for sure on the field. Tennessee might serve as a marker, but there's not enough evidence that quarterback Joe Milton can be relied upon enough to say without a doubt the Volunteers will for sure be a measuring stick.

This season's schedules aren't fair and balanced. That's one problem that will be addressed to an extent in 2024, which is why Arkansas fans are excited about the new schedule without divisions. However, the other side of the equation is that Georgia can't lose a single game and expect to be seriously considered for a shot at the national title. The only way that could happen would be if the Bulldogs lose to either South Carolina or Tennessee and still get into the SEC championship game where they knock off a Top 2 Alabama or LSU.

Meanwhile, Arkansas fans, who have been battered by one of the toughest schedules in America for several years running, can only dream of a road to the playoffs like the one in front of Georgia. However, there's a silver lining for the Razorback faithful. The Bulldogs get to prove how good they truly are in 2024 with Clemson, Tennessee, Texas, Alabama, and what should be an improved Auburn team.