There’s no such thing as an easy SEC schedule, but some are definitely easier than others.
In 2023, Georgia avoids Alabama and LSU out of the SEC West and its nonconference games are UT-Martin, Ball State, UAB and a visit to Georgia Tech.
I ranked that as the easiest schedule in the SEC for the 2023 season, and ESPN agrees.
ESPN’s College Football Power Index (FPI) is out, and it ranks Georgia as the No. 3 team in America entering 2023. In addition to overall rankings, this tool also predicts final records, chances of making the playoff and ranks teams’ strength of schedule.
As for Georgia, the FPI says the Bulldogs have the easiest schedule in the SEC.
But like I said, there’s no such thing as an easy schedule in the SEC. The FPI still ranks UGA’s 2023 schedule as the 31st toughest in the nation despite being last in the conference.
Both Alabama and Georgia will typically have an easier conference schedule than the rest of the SEC due to the fact that, well, they don’t play themselves. In contrast, when you look at Auburn, for example, the Tigers not only have to play their regular SEC West schedule that, obviously, includes Alabama, but they also play Georgia every year.
ESPN also agrees with me that Ole Miss has the hardest schedule in the league (and in America). The Rebels play their typical SEC West schedule plus Georgia. And ESPN and I both had Florida at No. 2, as the Gators play Georgia and Tennessee out of the East, and LSU and Arkansas from the West.
Here’s a breakdown of Georgia’s schedule:
Schedule: UT-Martin, Ball State, South Carolina, UAB, at Auburn, Kentucky, at Vanderbilt, Florida (in Jacksonville), Missouri, Ole Miss, at Tennessee, at Georgia Tech
Cross-divisional games: at Auburn, Ole Miss
Nonconference games: UT-Martin, Ball State, UAB, at Georgia Tech
Hardest games: at Tennessee, Florida, Kentucky, Ole Miss
National title odds: plus-220
