Playing a quality opponent in the non-conference slate has helped Alabama raise its profile in the early years under Nick Saban and often propelled the Crimson Tide to fantastic seasons. Apparently former ‘Bama defensive coordinator and new Georgia head coach Kirby Smart was paying attention.

Smart was asked to give his thoughts on non-conference scheduling and what kind of input he is having on Georgia’s schedule moving forward.

“I’ve had some input,” Smart said to reporters at UGA Day in Macon 2016. “To be honest, we haven’t looked far out. Some of it I inherited, some of its philosophically…It’s important to me that you play a good non-conference opponent outside of [Georgia] Tech. I think that helps you. When you get to do that, I think it helps your program when you open with a really good team.

“So I’m always in favor of being able to play somebody [like that] opening. We won’t get a chance to do that every year, we won’t get the venue, but when we get the opportunity I’m excited to do it. Makes for a great offseason, a lot of energy, kids tend to work harder, so I’m in complete support of that.”

The Bulldogs will open the season in Atlanta against North Carolina in the Georgia Dome.

Some of Georgia’s future non-opponents (outside of Georgia Tech) include: at Notre Dame, home for Appalachian State and Samford in 2017, home games against Murray State and UMass in 2018, home for Notre Dame in 2019, a home-and-home with UCLA in 2025-2026.

Considering Smart’s comments, a big non-conference matchup seems likely to be scheduled during the first two weeks of the 2018 season.