Sept. 3 -- vs. Boise State (12-1 last season) in Atlanta
In the annual Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at the Georgia Dome, this contest is expected to feature a pair of top 25 teams for the fourth consecutive year. The Broncos are led by record-setting senior quarterback Kellen Moore but must replace their leading receivers. They are forecast by some to be a factor again in the national championship equation. Georgia won the last meeting 48-13 in 2005.
Sept. 10 -- South Carolina (9-5, 5-3 SEC)
If there are any questions regarding Georgia's prospects for the upcoming season, they should be answered by the end of this game. The defending SEC East champions return All-SEC tailback Marcus Lattimore and wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, but starting quarterback Stephen Garcia was suspended indefinitely in the spring. Gainesville's Connor Shaw will start if Garcia doesn't return.
Sept. 17 -- Coastal Carolina (6-6)
The Chanticleers are an FCS school and defending Big South champions. Former South Carolina player Aramis Hillary is expected to be the new starting quarterback.
Sept. 24 -- at Ole Miss (4-8, 1-7)
The seat under coach Houston Nutt has warmed considerably since last season and the Rebels don't appear ready for drastic improvement. A new quarterback was not established among two junior-college transfers in the spring.
Oct. 1 -- Mississippi State (9-4, 4-4)
The Bulldogs have been the West's most improved team under third-year coach Dan Mullen, who received a four-year, $10.6 million contract extension in December. They should be competitive again with the return of quarterback Chris Relf and tailback Vick Ballard. But they must rebuild the offensive line, including much-decorated left tackle Derek Sherrod, and the entire linebacker corps.
Oct. 8 -- at Tennessee (6-7, 3-5)
Coach Derek Dooley remains in a rebuilding mode in his second year in charge, with 70 percent of the Vols roster made up of freshmen and sophomores. But Dooley has some offensive playmakers with the return of quarterback Tyler Bray, receivers Justin Hunter and Da'Rick Rogers, and 1,000-rusher Tauren Poole. Meanwhile, the Lane Kiffin sanctions loom.
Oct. 15 -- at Vanderbilt (2-10, 1-7)
If nothing else the Commodores appear to be having more fun under new coach James Franklin, who came to Nashville from Maryland. He canceled a spring practice to hold a dodge-ball tournament featuring players versus coaches. But the same challenges face Vandy as always.
Oct. 29 -- vs. Florida (8-5, 4-4) in Jacksonville, Fla.
The No. 1 question in Gainesville is whether new offensive coordinator (and former Notre Dame head coach) Charlie Weis can restore the confidence of quarterback John Brantley. The Gators are also missing a proven, every-down tailback for the new pro-style, I-formation offense being installed under new head coach Will Muschamp. The defense will have to keep them in it.
Nov. 5 -- New Mexico State (2-10)
The schedule might as well say "Bye." New Mexico State has been terrible the past two years under coach DeWayne Walker. The Aggies were 117th in scoring offense last year at 15.6 points per game.
Nov. 12 -- Auburn (14-0, 8-0)
Not only do the Tigers need to replace Heisman-Trophy quarterback Cam Newton and All-American nose guard Nick Fairley, but they have to find replacements for four senior offensive linemen, including All-America selection Lee Ziemba. The quarterback competition was undecided in spring practice. There also is the distraction of multiple investigations. A title defense is highly unlikely.
Nov. 19 -- Kentucky, Athens (6-7, 2-6)
The Wildcats have to replace quarterback Mike Hartline, wideout Randall Cobb and running back Derrick Locke, their three biggest offensive playmakers. The defense, led by the SEC's leading tackler Danny Trevathan, will have to carry them.
Nov. 26 -- at Georgia Tech (6-7)
The Yellow Jackets lost 2,053 yards rushing and 17 TDs last season with the graduation of B-back Anthony Allen and quarterback Joshua Nesbitt. But the transition should be smooth for quarterback Tevin Washington, who started the last two games last season and should improve on a 38-percent pass completion percentage. The 3-4 defense should improve in the second season under defensive coordinator Al Groh.
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