Buffalo
Where: Athens, Ga.
Date: Sept. 1
Time: 12:21 p.m.
TV/Radio: SEC Network/WGSY-100.1 FM
Series record: First meeting
Players to watch: Buffalo tailback Branden Oliver set school records as a sophomore last year, including for rushing attempts (306) and yards (1,395). Fellow junior Khalil Mack, who had 5.5 sacks and 62 tackles last year, leads a defense that is switching to a 3-4.
What it could mean: A win is expected, a loss a disaster. Rather than last year's much-hyped opener against Boise State, this game is a more traditional non-conference opener. Georgia needs to come out of it healthy and with a comfortable win.
Missouri
Where: Columbia, Mo.
Date: Sept. 8
Time: 7:45 ET
TV/Radio: ESPN2/WGSY-100.1 FM
Series record: 1-1
Players to watch: Missouri QB James Franklin was one of the most dynamic players in the Big 12, and now brings his talents to the SEC. Senior linebacker Zaviar Gooden led the team with 52 solo tackles last year, and the third-year starter leads a Mizzou defense that doesn't get much mention but will want to show it can hang in the SEC.
What it could mean: This is arguably Georgia's most important game, because it sets the tone for the season. A win means the showdown with South Carolina in October could be a matchup of unbeatens. A loss will mean immediate talk of the Bulldogs being overrated.
Florida Atlantic
Where: Athens, Ga.
Date: Sept. 15
Time: 7:30 p.m.
TV/Radio: CSS/WGSY-100.1 FM
Series record: First meeting
Players to watch: Florida Atlantic QB Graham Wilbert struggled last year (7 TD, 15 INT), so the Owls need him to turn it around and stay mistake-free if they're to have any chance in Athens. The defense is much better, led by linebacker Randell Johnson, who had 92 tackles, five sacks and 14.5 tackles-for-loss last year.
What it could mean: This will be another game Georgia just hopes to win comfortably and escape without injury, seeing how it's sandwiched between SEC games. There isn't too much to gain for the Bulldogs in this one.
Vanderbilt
Where: Athens, Ga.
Date: Sept. 22
Time: TBA
TV/Radio: TBA/WGSY-100.1 FM
Series record: Georgia leads, 52-18-2.
Players to watch: Senior tailback Zac Stacy is coming off a season in which he set Vanderbilt's single-season rushing record (1,193 yards). Senior cornerback Trey Hilson was overshadowed during his career by All-SEC CB Casey Hayward, now graduated, but Wilson returned two interceptions for TDs last year.
What it could mean: This game will be more noted for the reunion between Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham and Vanderbilt head coach James Franklin. The Bulldogs need to make sure it doesn't become noted for being another near-upset, as last year, or worse.
Tennessee
Where: Athens, Ga.
Date: Sept. 29
Time: TBA
TV/Radio: TBA/WGSY-100.1 FM
Series record: Tennessee leads, 21-18-2.
Players to watch: Tennessee receiver Da'Rick Rogers, the Calhoun native once committed to Georgia, was a first-team All-SEC pick last year. Sophomore linebacker A.J. Johnson had the second-most tackles (80) of any freshmen in Tennessee history, after Eric Berry.
What it could mean: Georgia is hoping to cap off the fairly easy opening portion of its season by being 5-0 or 4-1. The game will also include talk of the job status of Vols head coach Derek Dooley, the Athens native.
South Carolina
Where: Columbia, S.C.
Date: Oct. 6
Time: TBA
TV: TBA
Radio: WGSY-100.1 FM
Series record: Georgia leads, 46-16-2.
Players to watch: Tailback Marcus Lattimore, whose sophomore season was shortened by injury, is back and a legitimate Heisman candidate. Sophomore defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, who had eight sacks as a freshman, forced the game-deciding sack and fumble to beat Georgia last year.
What it could mean: This is likely the most important game as far as deciding the SEC East race. Of course, Georgia won last year without beating the Gamecocks. But given each team's schedule, if Georgia wins this, it likely wins the division.
KENTUCKY
Where: Lexington, Ky.
Date: Oct. 20
Time: TBA
TV/Radio: TBA/WGSY-100.1 FM
Series record: Georgia leads, 51-12-2.
Players to watch: Kentucky receiver La'Rod King ranked in the top 10 in the SEC last year in receptions (40), receiving yards (598) and receiving touchdowns (seven). Senior safety Martavius Adams leads a Kentucky defense with just five starters back, and is the most tenured member with 20 starts.
What it could mean: The Wildcats aren't likely to be an East contender, but they have a chance to play spoiler. Georgia will need to avoid the trap-game element, what with the game coming a week before Jacksonville.
Florida
Where: Jacksonville, Fla.
Date: Oct. 27
Time: 3:30 p.m.
TV/Radio: CBS/WGSY-100.1 FM
Series record: Georgia leads, 48-402.
Players to watch: Senior running back Mike Gillislee has a career rushing average of 6.3 yards-per-carry, so he figures to be a central part of the new offense being implemented by Brent Pease, who came from Boise State. Junior defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd only has 1.5 career sacks, but more is projected of the former highly-touted recruit.
What it could mean: Georgia will be looking to beat its arch-rival twice in a row for the first time since the late 1980s. It could also go a long way towards deciding the division, especially if Florida is a contender.
MISSISSIPPI
Where: Athens, Ga.
Date: Nov. 3
Time: TBA
TV/Radio: TBA/WGSY-100.1 FM
Series record: Georgia leads, 31-12-1.
Players to watch: Sophomore receiver Donte Moncrief led Mississippi last year with 454 receiving yards, as well as 31 catches, a program record for a freshman. Junior linebacker Mike Marry was a third-team All-SEC pick by the coaches, and had three double-digit tackle games.
What it could mean: The Rebels aren't expected to win many games, so for the Bulldogs they will just need this to be one they survive and advance. And once again, they can't be caught looking forward a week.
Auburn
Where: Auburn, Ala.
Date: Nov. 10
Time: TBA
TV/Radio: TBA/WGSY-100.1 FM
Series record: Auburn leads, 54-53-8.
Players to watch: Tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen already holds the Auburn record for a tight end with 12 career touchdowns, and adds a different dimension to the offense. Junior defensive end Corey Lemonier was a first-team all-SEC pick by the coaches last year, when he was second in the SEC with 9.5 sacks.
What it could mean: Georgia is hoping this SEC regular season finale will be its chance to clinch the division, if it hasn't already. If not, the season will already be considered a disappointment, and this will just be a chance to knock off another rival.
Georgia Southern
Where: Athens, Ga.
Date: Nov. 17
Time: TBA
TV/Radio: TBA/WGSY-100.1 FM
Series record: Georgia leads, 4-0.
Players to watch: Dominique Swope, a sophomore tailback, was the freshman of the year in the Southern Conference, and was a teammate at Buford High School with Georgia offensive lineman Dallas Lee. Georgia Southern senior Brent Russell was voted by coaches as the preseason Southern Conference defensive player of the year.
What it could mean: The triple-option is always a headache, but this year Georgia gets to play it twice in a row. This game should be good preparation for the game against Georgia Tech.
Georgia Tech
Where: Athens, Ga.
Date: Nov. 24
Time: TBA
TV/Radio: TBA/WGSY-100.1 FM
Series record: Georgia leads, 62-37-5.
Players to watch: Quarterback Tevin Washington accounted for 25 touchdowns and 2,639 yards last year, but Georgia was able to diminish his impact. Junior linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu ranked fifth in the ACC with six sacks, despite missing two games with an injury.
What it could mean: Georgia is hoping it will still be in position for a BCS push, and this game would impact that. If not, the Bulldogs would still like to get a fourth-straight win against Tech.
-- Seth Emerson
