Georgia’s 2026 schedule is flexing its muscles, and it is officially time to sync your calendars. The season is fast approaching, so if you haven’t already, get your tailgate supplies in order and start sending your regrets to those ill-timed Fall weddings. The Last Word team has been scratching that itch for months, counting down the days until the first whistle blows.
The Southeastern Conference did its part this week by finally pulling back the curtain on the potential kickoff windows for all 16 teams. With the new landscape set, the conference has designated four primary time slots for the season’s broadcasts:
- Early: The B1G is well aware of these games. They kick off at noon or 1:00 p.m. EST
- Afternoon: No, these games are not coming back to CBS, although Mississippi State will be playing Minnesota at 3:30 pm this season (be careful what you wish for.) These games will kick off between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
- Night: This is where the party gets jumping. These are where the SEC does what it does best. These games will kick off between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
- Flex: These games are the wild card and will largely depend on who can and will bring the ratings. They can kick anywhere from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., or if they are extra spicy, they can be moved to the 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. window.
Georgia’s 2026 Schedule Flexes Its Muscle
The Flex
- Sept. 26th: Oklahoma Sooners on TBD
- Nov. 7th: @ Ole Miss Rebels on TBD
- Nov. 14th: Missouri Tigers on TBD
- Nov. 21st: @ South Carolina on TBD
- Nov. 28th: Georgia Tech on TBD
Georgia’s 2026 schedule finds almost half of its games in the flex window. Fans will be happy to know that their mornings will be free, and they will have plenty of time to put in an effective shift at the tailgate before Callin’ the Dawgs. Looking into our crystal ball, you can bet that Oklahoma and Ole Miss will be at night. Both programs should be in the Top 20 and in strong consideration for a spot in the College Football Playoff. It’s nice to see Clean Old Fashioned Gate return to Saturdays. What about our friends in Colombia? This one could be a Sandstorm at night if the Gamecocks can reach their talent ceiling. If not, look for this one to start at 4:15 p.m. on the SEC Network.
Mimosas and Bloody Mary Kickoffs
- Sept. 12: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at 12:45 p.m. on SECN
- Sept. 19th: @ Arkansas Razorbacks at noon on ABC
- Oct. 3rd: Vanderbilt Commodores on TBD
Nobody likes a noon or an 11 a.m. kickoff in Fayetteville. The only real question is, will you be drinking a mimosa or a Bloody Mary at the tailgate? At least, you can. The Razorbacks are already complaining because they play Utah at Rice-Eccles Stadium at 10:15 p.m. (7 days earlier), then have to turn around and play the Dawgs in the early window. Western Kentucky is no shocker, and it will remain to be seen if the Frats actually show up for the 12:45 kick. Jared Curtis, the former Top Dawg commit, will get a “warm” welcome when the Dores travel in for the first Saturday in October.
Afternoon Delights
- Sept. 5th: Tennessee State Tigers (H) at 3:00 p.m. on SECN+
- Oct. 17th: Auburn Tigers on TBD
- Oct. 31st: Florida Gators in Atlanta at 3:30 p.m. on ABC
We used to be a conference—Vern or Brent on the play-by-play, with Gary giving us that sweet SEC bias. Now, the afternoon kicks are an appetizer for something spicier on ABC or ESPN that night. Still nice, just not the same. The Cocktail Party remains a 3:30 p.m. staple; the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry will probably be the same. Let’s hope Alex Goelsh can do something to inject some excitement and make this a rivalry again.
Bring on the Night
- Oct. 10th: @ Alabama on TBD
What more could you want? Tuscaloosa at night against the Tide. Sounds more like a nightmare than anything close to a dream, but if Georgia is to exercise its demons, there is no better place to do it. Georgia got the best and put the BTA to Alabama in the SEC Championship last year. They will need to put together a complete game, something Kirby Smart’s Dawgs teams have had difficulty doing in the regular season. Still, this one should bring plenty of energy and extra heart palpitations to Dawg fans.
Main Image: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
