Ranking Georgia's 2023 schedule from weakest to toughest games

The SEC Network revealed full 2023 schedules on Tuesday. Georgia, once again, has a very workable slate with some challenges and potential landmines built in.

The schedule includes a ton of home games at the beginning, a long stretch away from home in the middle, and what could prove to be a testy November. Below, DawgsHQ goes game-by-game and ranks the games from weakest to toughest.

September 2: Georgia vs. UT-Martin

Location: Athens, Ga.

UGA’s opener is its easiest game. It will take on an FBS opponent after a full offseason to prepare. Kirby Smart would never admit it, but you can bet that his Georgia staff will be finding creative ways to work ahead during the preseason.

November 25: UGA at Georgia Tech

Location: Atlanta, Ga.

Georgia barely breaks a sweat when it enters Bobby Dodd Stadium. Its last loss there was in 1999 and it has won there in blowout fashion in 2022. Odds are that the Yellow Jackets will be in year one of a new regime and Georgia will have, by a long shot, the most talented team.

September 9: Georgia vs. Ball State

Location: Athens, Ga.

It’s unfortunate that the Bulldogs won’t be traveling to Norman to take on Oklahoma, but we get it. Ball State will bring an undermanned team to The Classic City, collect a check, and almost certainly get blown out.

September 23: UGA vs. UAB

Location: Athens, Ga.

The Blazers have been to Athens recently. They toted a whipping inside Sanford Stadium in September of 2021 and the 2023 contest will probably have a similar result. With that said, UAB has some potential. It’s hard to know what rosters will look like but Georgia could be up against a senior-laden team with a ton of returning production.

October 14: Georgia at Vanderbilt

Location: Nashville, Tenn.

Clark Lea is doing a good job at Vanderbilt but there’s almost no chance that the program will be ready to challenge Georgia in 2023. It won’t be the blowout we saw in 2021 but the Bulldogs should be able to take care of business in The Music City.

November 4: UGA vs. Missouri

Location: Athens, Ga.

This is one of just two Georgia home games in the second half of the 2023 season. Missouri should have some returning talent and it can always beef up the roster via the transfer portal. As it stands right now, however, the talent gap will remain large. Georgia will be favored by three, maybe four, scores.

September 16: Georgia vs. South Carolina

Location: Athens, Ga.

We just saw what Georgia did to South Carolina at its place. It’s hard to expect anything different in Sanford Stadium next season. The Gamecocks are going to need some players to unexpectedly return and some transfer portal additions to help maintain or maybe even slightly close the talent gap.

September 30: UGA at Auburn

Location: Auburn, Ala.

Jordan-Hare Stadium can be a tough place to play but Georgia blew the Tigers out there in 2021 and it could go that way again. Auburn will likely be in year-one of a new regime with Bryan Harsin currently on an extremely hot seat. The fact that this game is on the road slides it down the list at least one, maybe two spots.

October 28: Georgia vs Florida

Location: Jacksonville, Fla.

This one is tough because of the potential year-two surge. Billy Napier has brought some energy to the Gator program already and we know how head coaches can often get it rolling in year two. Whether or not Napier can do that depends on the development of Anthony Richardson, who has been mostly very bad in 2022. Napier is recruiting well but he’s going to need some time to get his roster ready to fight Georgia.

October 7: UGA vs. Kentucky

Location: Athens, Ga.

The fact that Kentucky will likely lose starting quarterback Will Levis, who has a super-senior year remaining, is the reason why it isn’t further down on this list. You can’t say enough about the job Mark Stoops has done in Lexington but Georgia has matched up really well in recent years.

November 11: Georgia vs. Ole Miss

Location: Athens, Ga.

This game would be the toughest on the schedule if it was on the road. It still may prove to be that seeing as how the Rebels will bring back Jackson Dart for year two under Lane Kiffin. Smart and Kiffin are good friends and this will be the first time they’ve gone up against each other. It might be strength on strength as Ole Miss brings back a lot on offense and Georgia will do the same on defense.

November 18: UGA at Tennessee

Location: Knoxville, Tenn.

The Volunteers lose Hendon Hooker after this season and that will be a big blow. Josh Heupel has a veteran team in Knoxville but he is bringing in talent via recruiting and the portal. With this being a road game, we see it as the biggest potential stumbling block for the Bulldogs. Still, Georgia will likely be a double-digit favorite.