Greg McElroy addresses Georgia's 'easy' schedule, what it says about perception of Bulldogs

Georgia has set a new standard of college football over the past two seasons, and the Bulldogs are expected to continue that trend in 2023.

There is, however, a perception that Georgia has an easy schedule based on their expectations. College football analyst Greg McElroy recently defended the two-time reigning national champions’ schedule on an episode of ESPN’s ‘Always College Football.’

“When you are as good as Georgia is — and their roster is as good as they are — you look at them and ask if their schedule is easy because it’s Georgia that is playing it? Or is it easy because it’s easy?” McElroy asked. “I think both can be true because I think a road trip to Tennessee, a team who’s going to be in the top 10, top 12 teams coming into the season, a lot of people would circle that game as it is one of the most hostile environments in the country. [Tennessee] is a beast right there.

“A road trip to Auburn, even though Auburn has not been as good recently, very difficult place to play and a very tough game to go on the road and get the job done. These are facts, these things are difficult — but the reason you think the schedule is easy is because of how highly you think of Georgia.”

Georgia is going to be a heavy favorite in almost every game this coming season, even in their tougher road matchups — and that’s not because of how easy the schedule is. They’re just that good. Add in the fact that they’re playing an SEC schedule — and of course it’s not “easy.”

The main reason Georgia’s strength of schedule is fairly easy compared to its conference counterparts is that the Bulldogs don’t play any marquee non-conference games. Games against UT Martin, Ball State, UAB and Georgia Tech aren’t going to get the Bulldogs very far in the eyes of the College Football Playoff committee. That means the Bulldogs are banking on going undefeated during the regular season, otherwise, they could miss out on the playoff entirely.

Still, there’s a reason Georgia’s over/under win total is set at 11.5 heading into the season. They’re expected to win every game, especially with this schedule, but that’s nothing against the teams they play. But if that’s the case, as it has been the past two seasons, they’ll surely be the favorites to win the national title for a third consecutive season.