Georgia football isn’t afraid to play tough non-conference games. They welcome them because head coach Kirby Smart knows it helps get teams to the playoffs.
After not having non-conference games in 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic, it made everyone in college football realize how much those games mean to the sport itself. Those opening games on a neutral field between two top-10 opponents are what create discussion among college football fans.
In recent memory, there have been epic showdowns that the Dawgs have competed in and those games being out of conference.
Whether it be the trilogy of Clemson games in the last decade, or maybe even the 2017 game against Notre Dame where the Dawgs traveled to South Bend and UGA legend Rodrigo Blankenship hit the game-winner, Georgia loves a good challenge.
Georgia football needs to keep playing tough non-conference games.
Many games shaped Georgia into what they are today, and most of those come from out-of-conference matchups. All these games where the Dawgs have stepped up to beat a major non-conference opponent is what college football is all about.
Perhaps the most memorable one for Dawg fans would be the 2018 Rose Bowl game against Baker Mayfield and the Oklahoma Sooners, where the Dawgs would go on to win 54-48 in 2 overtimes and go to their first national championship appearance since 1980. To call that game a thriller is simply an understatement.
Here are three non-conference games we would love to see the Dawgs get the chance to play in.
1. Ohio State University
The fact that both Georgia football and Ohio State are in the mix every year for the College Football Playoff, but have yet to match up with one another is surprising, to say the least.
The only matchup between these two heralded programs came back in 1993, in the Citrus bowl. Georgia went on to win the game 21-14, so the Dawgs lead the Buckeyes overall 1-0.
Considering how good both of these schools are, a game of this magnitude would be must-watch television.
Although these two schools don’t have much playing history, there is recent history between the two schools, when former Georgia five-star quarterback Justin Fields decided to take his talents, and transfer to The Ohio State University, leaving Georgia fans in despair.
We will see a home and home series between these two as the schools’ scheduled matchups in 2030, and 2031 seasons.
If you do not want to wait that long, we very well could see these two elite programs face off in a College Football Playoff semifinal, or maybe even a National Championship very soon. While it isn’t a rivalry, the fanbases hate each other, so it’ll be a fun matchup on and off the field when they do play.
2. University of Southern California
After the hiring of Lincoln Riley, the Southern California football program looks to be on the rise once again. Riley began flipping five stars from Oklahoma, and using the transfer portal, USC could be like a contender to come for years in the College Football Playoff picture.
The last time the Dawgs and Trojans matched up was in 1960, when the Dawgs fell 10-3.
The all-time series started in 1931, and USC leads 3-0.
These East Coast versus West Coast matchups is always fun. Watching almost two separate cultures collide would be a matchup for the ages. The Deep South versus the always sunny West Coast are two of the best areas recruits come out of, so seeing those guys battle it out would be fun to watch.
Even with not playing for ages, there is recent history between the two because quarterback JT Daniels transferred from USC to become a Georgia Bulldog. Also, the Dawgs have stolen a couple of recruits from Southern California as well.
So much culture and heritage between both of these schools are what would sell this game, and with USC’s program on the rise, this matchup would be one for the ages. As two of the most traditional programs in college football, it would be something that would make fans drool.
3. Clemson University
Last but not least, the Clemson Tigers and Georgia football need to be a yearly non-conference matchup.
Even though the Dawgs do get to see Clemson every few seasons, playing this game every season would mean a lot for both programs.
Although Clemson has not had the best season, they will be back on track next year.
Over the last decade, there have been several great games between these two programs, as they are always competitive.
We do not have to dig deep to find the last matchup between them when it came as the season opener for the 2021 season. The Dawgs prevailed 10-3 in a game where no offense could get rolling, but the Dawgs defense kept making plays when having to. Christopher Smith scored the only touchdown on a pick-six, and it was such an incredible moment. That interception set the tone for the defense, and we see how dominant they’ve been all season.
One of the most memorable matchups came on opening weekend in 2014 when Todd Gurley ran for nearly 200 yards and had three touchdowns that led to Georgia winning in dominating fashion 45-21.
Georgia dominates the all-time series leading 43-18-4.
Having Clemson on the Dawgs schedule every season would call for some memorable games.
Georgia football needs to keep scheduling challenging non-conference games because it helps the strength of the schedule, and it’ll eliminate the discussion that the Dawgs don’t play anyone.