Early Look at How 2021 Schedule Shapes Up for Bulldogs
While coaching and talent are the determining factors of a team’s chance at winning the College Football Playoff, the schedule they play can undoubtedly affect their odds of getting there.
A more manageable schedule means better odds at running the table or surviving the schedule with one loss, and being one of the four teams selected at the end of the year. It is undeniable that the Dawgs have the coaching and talent level to compete for the playoffs, but whether the schedule sets up well for them is up for some debate.
According to the recently updated ESPN Football Power Index (FPI), the Georgia Bulldogs will play college football’s 22nd toughest schedule in 2021.
At first glance, having a schedule in the top 20 percent of college football seems like a tough road for Georgia. It is a more difficult schedule to face than those of perennial contenders Clemson and Ohio State, both of which are favored over the Bulldogs in the national title race.
However, while the Dawgs will face one of the more challenging schedules in the country, their schedule is predicted to be easier than over half of their conference rivals.
This fact isn’t too surprising considering that half of the teams Georgia will play in the SEC East will have new head coaches this year. Josh Heupel, Shane Beamer and Clark Lea hope they can change the fortunes of Tennessee, South Carolina and Vanderbilt, but they are facing an uphill battle in their first year.
Kentucky and Florida return veteran head coaches, but they are expected to be inexperienced in the quarterback room. While the overall forecast for Missouri is uncertain, the Tigers return SEC freshman of the year Conor Bazelak. Having an experienced quarterback under center makes them one of the biggest threats to Georgia in the East.
With down years expected from most of the SEC East and a favorable draw from the West, the Dawgs' conference schedule won’t be as tricky as it has been in recent years.
However, their out-of-conference schedule will be a little tougher than usual this year. The Bulldogs open the season in Charlotte in a neutral-site game against Clemson. The Dawgs have scheduled aggressively in their out-of-conference slate in the past few years, but opening against Clemson is undoubtedly the toughest out-of-conference game they have had recently. Georgia Tech is back on the schedule after last year’s edition of the Clean Old Fashion Hate game was canceled due to COVID-19 scheduling. The Dawgs also have Charleston Southern and UAB this year.
Outside of the Clemson game, the 2021 schedule sets up well for a Georgia team looking to take a run at the national championship game. If the Dawgs can get a win in Charlotte, they will have set themselves up nicely heading into an easier SEC schedule.
Georgia Bulldogs 2021 Schedule
Saturday, September 4
vs. Clemson Tigers - Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
Saturday, September 11
UAB Blazers - Sanford Stadium, Athens, GA
Saturday, September 18
South Carolina Gamecocks - Sanford Stadium, Athens, GA
Saturday, September 25
at Vanderbilt Commodores - Vanderbilt Stadium, Nashville, TN
Saturday, October 2
Arkansas Razorbacks - Sanford Stadium, Athens, GA
Saturday, October 9
at Auburn Tigers - Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, AL
Saturday, October 16
Kentucky Wildcats - Sanford Stadium, Athens, GA
Saturday, October 23
OFF
Saturday, October 30
vs. Florida Gators - TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, FL
Saturday, November 6
Missouri Tigers - Sanford Stadium, Athens, GA
Saturday, November13
at Tennessee Volunteers - Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN
Saturday, November 20
Charleston South Buccaneers - Sanford Stadium, Athens, GA
Saturday, November 27
at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets - Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta, GA
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