SEC SCHEDULE UPDATE: Georgia Bulldogs Receive Four More Kickoff Times and TV Networks, Plus Game Windows for Three Key Matchups
The Georgia Bulldogs, already deep in preparation for another high-stakes campaign, received a clearer view of their upcoming fall journey as the Southeastern Conference revealed four more kickoff times and corresponding TV networks for their 2025 football season, along with broadcast windows for three additional games. The announcement made Wednesday adds critical clarity to what is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated seasons in college football, both in terms of championship implications and national viewership.
As the Bulldogs aim to reclaim their throne after a fiercely contested 2024 season, every detail—from kickoff times to television exposure—adds to the mosaic of strategy, preparation, and expectation that defines SEC football. This latest scheduling update injects a heightened sense of anticipation for fans, coaches, and players alike, offering a roadmap of when and where millions will watch Georgia chase its next chapter of gridiron glory.
The confirmed kickoff times solidify dates that will carry significant weight in Georgia’s season narrative. Each time slot has implications not only for game-day preparation but also for national exposure, recruiting impact, and the rhythm of the season itself. Whether it’s a noon kickoff under the Southeastern sun or a prime-time showdown under the lights, these windows are opportunities for the Bulldogs to display their dominance, entertain the nation, and influence the College Football Playoff picture.
Among the announced games is Georgia’s September 14 matchup against UMass, which will kick off at 4 p.m. Eastern Time on SEC Network. This non-conference clash serves as a pivotal early-season tune-up, giving the Bulldogs a chance to fine-tune their depth chart and systems while showcasing new talent on a national stage. For a program that prides itself on development, such matchups are invaluable in testing young contributors while reinforcing fundamentals against live competition.
Later in the season, Georgia’s home showdown with Mississippi State on October 12 was slotted for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff, also on SEC Network. Night games in Athens carry a special kind of electricity. Sanford Stadium becomes a pressure cooker under the lights, with fans energized and the atmosphere magnified. This will be a crucial midseason SEC clash, one likely to factor heavily in division standings and national rankings. The late kickoff will also attract a prime-time audience, maximizing exposure and giving Georgia a marquee opportunity to demonstrate its championship credentials.
The November 9 battle with Tennessee, perhaps one of the most anticipated matchups on Georgia’s calendar, has been locked into a 3:30 p.m. kickoff on CBS. This traditional SEC on CBS time slot is synonymous with the biggest games in the South, and the Bulldogs-Vols rivalry has regained national relevance in recent years. The game’s placement at 3:30 signals its importance in the broader SEC and national landscapes. With division titles and playoff berths often hanging in the balance during November, this kickoff time gives Georgia a powerful platform to assert its postseason intentions.
Another game whose kickoff time was revealed is Georgia’s November 23 contest against UMass, which is now scheduled for a noon kickoff on ESPN+. While this particular matchup may not carry the national heft of the Tennessee game, it offers Georgia an opportunity to sharpen its execution late in the season, test younger players, and maintain momentum before its regular-season finale. The early start also means minimal disruption to the team’s recovery and travel rhythm—a subtle but meaningful factor in late-season performance.
In addition to these fixed kickoff times, the SEC announcement included broadcast windows for three other contests, providing some measure of predictability for fans planning trips to Athens or road journeys across the region. These windows serve as placeholders, offering ballpark expectations for when the games will be played, even as the exact kickoff times will be determined closer to the dates based on TV selections and evolving storylines.
The window for Georgia’s September 21 road game against Kentucky was listed as a 3:30 p.m. or 7 p.m. kickoff on ESPN or SEC Network. The Wildcats have steadily improved under head coach Mark Stoops, and this game has potential implications for SEC East dynamics. Whether it’s a hot afternoon at Kroger Field or a cooler evening under the lights, Georgia will need to bring its trademark physicality and execution against a Kentucky team that rarely makes life easy for the conference elite.
Georgia’s November 16 clash with Alabama in Tuscaloosa, one of the most anticipated regular-season games in all of college football, has a similar window of 3:30 p.m. or 7 p.m., with the network still to be determined. This showdown of SEC titans is sure to garner massive national attention. A late kickoff would likely mean a prime-time spectacle watched by tens of millions, while the 3:30 slot on CBS would preserve the game’s tradition-rich gravitas. Either way, this game is expected to carry major SEC Championship and CFP implications, with both programs eager to reassert themselves atop the college football hierarchy.
The third windowed game is Georgia’s annual in-state rivalry against Georgia Tech, scheduled for November 30. The window for this game was given as either noon or 3:30 p.m., likely depending on how competitive the Yellow Jackets are late in the season. This non-conference game is always emotionally charged, and even in years when Tech is rebuilding, the stakes are high in terms of state bragging rights and momentum heading into the postseason.
All of these scheduling announcements point to a season that will be heavily scrutinized, widely viewed, and rich in storylines. The combination of early kickoffs, prime-time showcases, and traditional time slots reflects Georgia’s status as a national power whose games move the needle for networks and fans alike. With a roster brimming with five-star talent and a coaching staff led by Kirby Smart that has mastered the rhythm of elite competition, the Bulldogs are primed to command the spotlight week after week.
From a recruiting perspective, these high-profile time slots and networks are invaluable. High school athletes across the country will have ample opportunity to see Georgia in action, assess how the team uses its players, and imagine themselves in red and black. Prime-time games offer maximum exposure, and even the less prominent matchups provide crucial national impressions that help fuel the Bulldogs’ recruiting machine.
Beyond recruiting and television ratings, the staggered nature of the schedule creates strategic implications. Noon games, for instance, require early preparation and quick game-day turnarounds. Night games provide more time for walkthroughs and mental preparation but can strain players’ postgame recovery. By knowing these times in advance, Georgia’s strength and conditioning staff, nutritionists, and sports scientists can tailor recovery protocols and game-week planning to optimize performance.
For the fan base, these announcements are also a rallying cry. The release of kickoff times sets into motion the planning of tailgates, watch parties, alumni gatherings, and travel arrangements. Sanford Stadium’s energy often correlates with the magnitude and timing of a game, and knowing when to bring peak volume can be the twelfth man Georgia leans on in crucial moments. The “Dawg Walk,” the redout games, the national anthem rippling through a full house—all gain momentum once kickoff times are set.
Georgia’s partnership with top networks like CBS, ESPN, and SEC Network also speaks to its ongoing value in the broader media ecosystem. The Bulldogs consistently draw large television audiences, a reflection of their storied history, recent dominance, and dynamic brand of football. In an era where media rights shape the future of college sports, Georgia’s placement in key time slots ensures its relevance not only on the scoreboard but in boardrooms and living rooms alike.
With the SEC entering a new phase of expansion and realignment in the coming years, these schedules will only become more complex and competitive. Georgia’s consistency in landing high-value broadcast slots signals a program that’s not just competing at the top level but shaping the very structure of the sport. The Bulldogs aren’t just a team to watch—they are a program whose presence defines the rhythm and focus of each college football weekend.
As the Bulldogs inch closer to the 2025 season, these newly released kickoff times and windows represent more than logistical details—they’re the outlines of a championship pursuit, drawn in ink and broadcast in high definition to millions. Each kickoff time is a countdown, each network a stage, and each game a chapter in the ever-expanding legacy of Georgia football. The SEC’s announcement merely marks the next turn in a journey that Bulldogs fans, players, and coaches hope will end under confetti, with a trophy raised high under bright lights and a national audience watching history unfold.
