Kirby Smart reveals scheduling philosophy amid SEC expansion

With Texas and Oklahoma set to join the SEC in the coming years, the conference could soon be adopting a new scheduling model. Some teams prefer more of a conference-heavy schedule with more marquee games on the docket. The Georgia Bulldogs are one of those teams that aren’t afraid of a SEC-heavy schedule.

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart recently addressed his scheduling philosophy with SEC expansion on the horizon, saying that in the end he wants to play as many big-time games against strong opponents as possible.

“As far as scheduling philosophy, it’s never changed for us,” Smart said. “You look at it as if you make decisions right now for right now. Decisions made for this year and next year were made a long time ago. It’s always been my philosophy to go play a quality opponent, a Power 5 opponent, a big matchup. I don’t care if it’s home and home, I don’t care if it’s neutral site. I mean go play a good team because I really believe that helps your team get better.”

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Smart’s desire to play against tough opponents will be fulfilled in Week 1, as Georgia hosts Oregon on Sept. 3. Georgia is ranked No. 3 in the preseason AP Top 25 poll, while Oregon comes in at No. 11.

Future SEC changes won’t change philosophy for Georgia, Smart

Texas A&M is one team that reportedly prefers the 3-6 scheduling format in the SEC, which includes three permanent conference games per season and another six that will occur on a rotating basis.

Ultimately, Smart embraces the toughness of playing in the SEC each and every year. He knows that his team will be up for a challenge most weeks already, so he isn’t shying away of any futures that could be coming in the near future.

“When you play in the SEC, you’re going to run the gauntlet anyway. What’s one more team playing a really tough, physical team? We don’t run from that at Georgia,” said Smart. “I embrace that our fans want that, I want that, I think that generates a lot more excitement. I think you recruit off of that when you go and you get to sell the opening game and you’re playing in big time venues.

“So I think that’s important, but as far as the philosophy with us playing more SEC games, if that happens then so be it. It’s not going to change our philosophy of what we do non-conference. We had already moved to that before realignment and all the things going on. We were already trying to schedule three big games a year and that’s just the way we think it’s best.”