It does not have to be this hard, but how do the pieces fit? With the SEC expanding from 14 teams to 16 with the additions of Oklahoma and Texas last year, going from an eight-game schedule to a nine-game one was bound to happen. The league office put forth a temporary home-and-home, eight-game schedule starting last year before going all-in on a nine-game one commencing next season.
For those who need a bit of a refresher, here is what the nine-game conference schedule entails for the SEC. Each team will have three annual opponents on its schedule, with the 12 other league teams rotating in on a biennial basis. As such, every SEC team will play every league opponent twice, once home and away. The four or five home and road games will flip with each corresponding season, too.
Since Georgia plays Florida annually in neutral-site Jacksonville, the Dawgs effectively get four home games and four away games every season. In all likelihood, two of their three annual opponents have already been set. Not having Auburn or Florida on Georgia's regular-season schedule would be utter blasphemy. As far as who the third opponent could or should be, that is very much up for debate here.
Here is the best-case scenario for who Georgia could draw as its third annual opponent in 2026-29.
Best-case scenario to be Georgia Bulldogs' third annual opponent
Without question, it would have to be Kentucky. While these teams have played annually for decades now, Georgia is a football school and Kentucky is a basketball school. The Wildcats do play the Bulldogs hard, but have not beaten Georgia since the infamous Joe Cox game of 2009. This is the best-case scenario because it would be an easy victory on the schedule in most seasons for Georgia.
As far as it being the most likely, that is up for debate. Kentucky has a few other teams that would make sense to be their three annual opponents. It may not shake out like this, but Kentucky is likely to draw Tennessee and Vanderbilt from the jump. Besides Georgia, the Wildcats' other contenders for a third annual opponent include Florida and Mississippi State. Again, everyone needs three opponents.
Kentucky may not be the most likely third annual opponent for Georgia, but it would be the easiest.
Worst-case scenario to be Georgia Bulldogs' third annual opponent
If Georgia were to draw Alabama as its third annual opponent, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey and everyone in the league office in Birmingham must hate the Dawgs with a fiery passion. Although Alabama and Georgia share a border, the Bulldogs and Crimson Tide are not traditional SEC rivals. Alabama's biggest ones are in-state with Auburn and vs. Tennessee in The Third Saturday in October.
The reason this would be the worst-case scenario is obvious. Georgia has had a miserable time vs. Alabama over the last two decades. The Dawgs are 2-9 vs. Alabama since Nick Saban took over for Mike Shula. Georgia lost its first one to Kalen DeBoer just last year. Truth be told, it is not gong to be Alabama because the Crimson Tide have bigger rivalries with LSU, Mississippi State and Ole Miss.
If the SEC covets a ratings bonanza for Alabama's third game, then it should just go ahead with LSU.
Most likely third annual opponent for the Georgia Bulldogs
If Alabama is among the least likely and Kentucky is among the most, who would Georgia's most likely third annual opponent be? It would have to be South Carolina. Not only is it a contentious border war, but South Carolina has yet to really establish a strong rivalry with anyone else in the SEC. Their biggest rival is Clemson, but the Tigers play in the ACC. It is anyone's guess who their three ones are.
The reason it will not be Tennessee is the Volunteers will have Alabama and Vanderbilt on their annual schedule for sure. Getting Florida and Kentucky feels more likely than Georgia. And to be quite frank, Georgia might be the top billing for South Carolina. They may draw Florida or Missouri, but outside of arguably Oklahoma, South Carolina's three annual opponents are more up for debate than anyone's.
Dawg Nation should hope for it to be Kentucky, pray that it is not Alabama, but expect South Carolina.