ESPN College Football

Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low

Breaking down the Bulldogs' path in 2009:

NONCONFERENCE SCHEDULE

Sept. 5: at Oklahoma State
Sept. 26: Arizona State
Nov. 7: Tennessee Tech
Nov. 28: at Georgia Tech

My take: Remember when Georgia was the SEC's poster child for not going outside of its region and playing anybody? Well, the Bulldogs traveled to Arizona State last season, and they're opening the season in 2009 at Oklahoma State. The Cowboys could start the season ranked in the top 10, too, and return the explosive tandem of running back Kendall Hunter and receiver Dez Bryant. Nobody else in the SEC will play a tougher nonconference road game next season, and the Bulldogs will be doing so with a new starter at quarterback. There's also a home game with Arizona State later in September, and Georgia has to play at Georgia Tech to end the regular season. That same Yellow Jackets' rushing attack that produced 409 yards last November in a 45-42 win over the Bulldogs should be even more potent next season.

SEC SCHEDULE

Sept. 12: South Carolina
Sept. 19: at Arkansas
Oct. 3: LSU
Oct. 10: at Tennessee
Oct. 17: at Vanderbilt
Oct. 31: Florida (in Jacksonville)
Nov. 14: Auburn
Nov. 21: Kentucky

My take: Everybody thought Georgia's schedule was a monster last season. As a whole, it might be even more difficult in 2009. The Bulldogs come off the season-opening trip to Oklahoma State and have to dive right into SEC play against South Carolina, which has really played Georgia tough in recent years. There's not a breather in the first five games when you plug in the nonconference tilts against Oklahoma State and Arizona State. The last game in that stretch is against LSU at home, and that's a contest that may well define the Bulldogs' season. They don't get a bye until the Oct. 24 weekend, but at least it comes the week before the Florida game. The Gators don't have a week off before their annual bash in Jacksonville.