The Georgia Bulldogs are staring down a scheduling crunch for the 2030 season - and something’s got to give.
With the SEC expanding to a nine-game conference slate starting this fall, Georgia’s current non-conference lineup for 2030 puts them at 13 total games - and that’s not going to fly under NCAA rules. Unless they’re planning a rare trip to Hawaii (which allows for an extra game), one of those non-conference matchups is going to be cut.
Right now, Georgia has four non-conference opponents lined up for that season: Ohio State, Georgia Tech, Clemson, and North Carolina A&T. The question is, which one gets the axe?
Let’s start with what seems untouchable: Georgia Tech. The “Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate” rivalry is one of the oldest and most tradition-rich in college football.
It’s not just a game - it’s a cultural event in the state of Georgia. That one’s staying.
That leaves three possibilities: a high-profile showdown with Ohio State, a regional clash with Clemson, and a likely tune-up game against North Carolina A&T. On paper, the Ohio State matchup is the crown jewel - two powerhouse programs, national title aspirations, recruiting implications, and major primetime appeal. But it also might be the one that’s most at risk.
As things stand, Ohio State reportedly has no intention of backing out. But with Georgia already committed to three other non-conference games, the Bulldogs may be forced to make a tough call.
Canceling on Georgia Tech is unlikely, and dropping North Carolina A&T wouldn’t carry the same weight in terms of competitive balance or fan interest. Clemson, meanwhile, is no pushover - and that game brings regional bragging rights and recruiting battles of its own.
Still, if Georgia’s going to trim one game to get down to 12, the Ohio State series could be the odd one out - not because the Dawgs don’t want the challenge, but because the logistics are getting tight.
Now, zooming out a bit, this situation is part of a larger trend across the SEC as the conference adjusts to its new nine-game format. The added conference game is a heavy lift, especially when you’re already playing in the most competitive league in college football. And it’s not just Georgia feeling the squeeze.
Alabama, for instance, is also reportedly reevaluating its future non-conference schedules. According to Paul Finebaum, the Crimson Tide’s home-and-home with Ohio State is on shaky ground. With a new head coach navigating a transitional period and the pressure of the expanded SEC schedule looming, Alabama may be looking to lighten the load.
That’s a pattern we’re starting to see - SEC schools pulling back from marquee non-conference matchups in the name of survival. The league has long prided itself on being the toughest in the country, and for good reason. But the addition of Texas and Oklahoma, along with the ninth conference game, is forcing programs to reassess how much they can realistically take on.
It’s not a question of fear - it’s a question of bandwidth. When your regular season already includes trips to places like Baton Rouge, Knoxville, and now Austin, adding a trip to Columbus (or hosting the Buckeyes in Athens) starts to look like overkill.
Still, it’s hard not to notice what’s happening here. Ohio State has been aggressive in scheduling big-time non-conference games, and while Texas is still on board, others seem to be backing away. Whether that’s a reflection of strategic planning or a subtle shift in power dynamics remains to be seen.
But one thing’s clear: the landscape of college football is changing. The days of loading up your schedule with heavyweight non-conference showdowns might be numbered - especially with the expanded College Football Playoff on the horizon, where strength of schedule will still matter, but so will surviving the gauntlet of your own league.
For Georgia, the decision on Ohio State may not come for a while. But if the Bulldogs do end up pulling the plug, it won’t be a sign of weakness - it’ll be a sign of the new reality in college football, where even the biggest programs have to make tough choices in the name of balance, health, and postseason positioning.
And if that means fewer early-season blockbusters and more strategic scheduling? Well, welcome to the next era of the sport.