Georgia schedules another cupcake 2026 nonconference opponent

USA Today

a day ago

The Georgia Bulldogs are scheduled to play the Tennessee State Tigers in 2026, per Mike Organ of the Tennesseean.
In 2026, Georgia is already scheduled to play the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (home) on Sept. 12, the Louisville Cardinals (away) on Sept. 19 and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on Nov. 28 (home). Georgia will also play their permanent SEC opponent, the Florida Gators. Based on Georgia's decision to schedule Tennessee State, we expect the SEC to play just eight conference games in 2026.
The SEC has long discussed adding a ninth conference game like the Big Ten. However, it does not appear that will be the case in 2026. The SEC has not released the conference schedule for the 2026 season.
Based on Georgia's other nonconference games, we would expect for the Bulldogs to host Tennessee State on Sept. 5 in Week 1. Georgia is paying to play Tennessee State in a one game series, but we don't know how much at this time.
Georgia will be the first of three SEC opponents that Tennessee State will play from 2026-2029. The Tigers and head coach Reggie Barlow are also set to play Tennessee in 2027 and Vanderbilt in 2029.
"You're talking about SEC games, you're talking about great tradition programs like Georgia, like Tennessee and, of course, like Vanderbilt who's coming along and doing some wonderful things," Barlow said after scheduling three future games against SEC opponents. "Just being able to go and play in those stadiums and get that experience for our young men here and our coaches is going to be exciting. Obviously, we know that it's a huge task and a huge challenge, but I just look forward to being in that atmosphere and that environment."
While Tennessee State is not the most exciting opponent for Georgia, pay to play games are important for smaller programs. Tennessee State's last game against an FBS opponent came in 2023 when the Tigers lost to Notre Dame 56-3.
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