Georgia Bulldogs Featured in Six of College Football’s 20 Biggest Games in 2025 According to ESPN’s Football Power Index
The Georgia Bulldogs have long been a staple of national prominence in college football, and if ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) projections for the 2025 season are any indication, that dominance shows no sign of waning. According to FPI’s latest forecast, six of the twenty biggest games of the upcoming season involve Georgia, more than any other program. The Bulldogs’ gravitational pull on the sport’s most compelling matchups is a testament to their continued excellence under head coach Kirby Smart and the weight of their perennial national title expectations.
Georgia has consistently hovered near the top of the FPI rankings since the mid-2010s, with recent years bolstering their resume thanks to dominant recruiting classes, a suffocating defense, and a physical, disciplined offensive approach. The Bulldogs’ ability to remain a central figure in the national title race has made nearly every one of their games must-see television, especially when high-profile opponents enter the fray. For 2025, ESPN’s FPI identifies that six of those matchups are among the 20 biggest games of the year, signifying Georgia’s status as not only a contender, but a key influencer in how the playoff picture unfolds.
Among the games highlighted by FPI, several carry playoff implications from the opening whistle. Georgia’s nonconference showdown against in-state rival Georgia Tech, traditionally the season finale, has once again gained significance. Though the Bulldogs have dominated the rivalry in recent years, the Yellow Jackets’ program is resurgent under Brent Key, and with an experienced quarterback and a rapidly improving defense, they’ve become more than just a late-season formality. ESPN’s FPI sees that Thanksgiving weekend matchup as one of the nation’s most pivotal, in large part due to Georgia’s playoff aspirations and the potential for Tech to play spoiler or even fight for postseason positioning of their own.
Another key matchup that made the FPI top 20 is Georgia’s highly anticipated road game against the Texas Longhorns. This clash of SEC powers is set to take place in Austin and will be Texas’ first time hosting Georgia as a fellow conference member. It’s a prime example of how conference realignment has brought about blockbuster games with massive stakes. The Longhorns, led by head coach Steve Sarkisian and quarterback Arch Manning, are expected to be one of the most potent offenses in the country. Georgia’s defense, elite as always, will be tasked with slowing them down in what could be one of the defining games of the entire college football season. FPI recognizes this as not just a marquee matchup, but as one of the biggest tipping points in the playoff race.
In addition to Texas, Georgia’s game against the Alabama Crimson Tide unsurprisingly makes the list. This rivalry has defined the SEC landscape for the better part of the last decade, often serving as a de facto national semifinal. With Kalen DeBoer taking over the reins in Tuscaloosa following the retirement of Nick Saban, Alabama remains one of the sport’s heavyweights. The stakes are never low when Georgia and Alabama square off, and with both programs projected to be inside the top five of FPI rankings for most of the season, this meeting has all the makings of an instant classic. Whether it occurs during the regular season or in the SEC Championship Game, ESPN FPI’s recognition of this clash as one of the season’s elite contests is fully justified.
Another game highlighted by FPI is Georgia’s home date against Ole Miss. Under Lane Kiffin, the Rebels have become a consistently dangerous team with one of the most innovative offenses in the country. The 2025 edition of Ole Miss is expected to field its strongest roster in years, and their trip to Athens is projected to carry significant implications. With the new expanded College Football Playoff system in place, even one loss could dramatically impact seeding, byes, and home field advantage. FPI metrics suggest that the Georgia-Ole Miss game could be a hinge point in that discussion, particularly if both teams enter the matchup with one loss or fewer.
Georgia’s battle against Tennessee also made the FPI top 20 list. In recent seasons, the Volunteers have reestablished themselves as a major player in the SEC East thanks to their high-octane offense and aggressive defensive play. The Georgia-Tennessee game has increasingly taken on a playoff tone, especially with both teams routinely landing in the top ten of national rankings. This rivalry game, often overlooked in years past, has transformed into a marquee November event that can vault a winner into the playoff field while eliminating the loser. FPI’s model recognizes the explosive potential of this game to shift the national conversation.
The sixth Georgia matchup on the list is their neutral-site season opener against Clemson, a renewal of a rivalry between two southeastern powers that routinely battle for elite recruits and playoff positioning. The Bulldogs and Tigers clashed to open the 2021 season in a low-scoring defensive slugfest that proved pivotal for both teams’ campaigns. The 2025 edition features two rosters littered with NFL talent and carries early-season national implications. A win in this game could catapult either team into the top two or three of the AP poll and cement early control of the playoff narrative. ESPN’s FPI models value strength of schedule and projected win probabilities heavily, and this game scores extremely high on both counts.
The common denominator in all six of Georgia’s FPI-featured games is clear: each carries national relevance, is loaded with star talent, and has the power to directly affect the College Football Playoff landscape. But perhaps most telling is that Georgia isn’t simply included because they’re scheduled against other top-tier teams — it’s that the Bulldogs themselves are the reason these games are so big. Georgia’s combination of elite coaching, championship pedigree, NFL-level talent, and rabid fan support makes their every appearance a national event. They are, quite simply, the sport’s gold standard heading into 2025.
Kirby Smart’s program continues to thrive on defense, often ranking at or near the top nationally in scoring defense, third-down efficiency, and yards allowed per play. Offensively, Georgia has become more versatile and dangerous each year. With another crop of blue-chip quarterbacks and skill players ready to step in, Georgia’s balanced attack is built for both physicality and explosiveness. That balance allows the Bulldogs to match up well against every type of opponent, whether it’s a run-heavy squad like Alabama or an air raid system like Tennessee’s.
ESPN FPI’s advanced models don’t only take raw win projections into account. They evaluate game importance based on playoff leverage — essentially, how much a single game influences the probability of a team making or missing the playoff. That’s a major reason Georgia features in so many of the top 20 games. Their margin for error is small due to the expectations, and their schedule, filled with powerhouses, means that any misstep could cascade into chaos. Conversely, their ability to win those games gives them massive upward mobility in playoff odds.
The 2025 season also marks the first full year of the 12-team playoff, and with it, comes new wrinkles in how teams and fans approach the regular season. For Georgia, it means every high-profile contest carries an added layer of strategic importance. While undefeated runs remain the goal, there is more flexibility — and thus more pressure to perform well against elite competition. Strength of schedule now factors more than ever in playoff selection and seeding. Georgia’s six games in ESPN FPI’s top 20 will serve as both tests and opportunities to cement their place at the top.
Ultimately, what the FPI rankings underline is that Georgia is the program with the most gravitational force in college football right now. Whether they’re facing traditional powers, rising threats, or historic rivals, their presence guarantees heightened stakes, elite competition, and championship implications. Georgia isn’t just part of the biggest games — they are the reason those games matter so much. As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on Athens and wherever the Bulldogs travel, because when Georgia takes the field, the entire sport holds its breath.
