They’re naturally the first things that grab the attention of most Georgia fans the first time they glanced at the Bulldogs schedule this season.

The home date with Alabama (Oct. 3), followed by a later showdown at Auburn (Nov. 14) and a visit from rival Georgia Tech (Nov. 28) will carry huge postseason implications for UGA.

But coach Mark Richt’s team has a lot of work to do in the SEC East before turning its attention elsewhere. The Dawgs can’t get to Atlanta for the first time since 2012, or dream beyond an SEC title, unless they win the East Division first.

Here’s a ranking of Georgia’s SEC East opponents this year from hardest to easiest.

At Tennessee, Oct. 10:

The up-and-coming Vols have stocked up on talent in recent seasons and would love nothing better than to tip the balance of power in the conference while also snapping a five-game losing streak to Georgia. Neyland Stadium will be rocking and the Vol Navy will be out in force. The Bulldogs needed overtime to escape with a 34-31 decision in Knoxville in 2013. Tennessee hasn’t won the SEC East since 2007 and knows it must beat Georgia to do so.

Vs. South Carolina, Sept. 19:

His Florida pedigree means that Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier loves nothing better than sticking it to the Bulldogs whenever he can. South Carolina has won four of its last five games against Georgia, including the previous three in Columbia. The Gamecocks claimed a 38-35 thriller in Athens last fall. The game will mark the first real test for whomever emerges at quarterback for the Bulldogs.

Vs. Florida (Jacksonville), Oct. 31:

You’ll forgive Georgia coach Mark Richt if he starts having nightmares the closer this game gets. Florida pushed the Bulldogs defense all over the field a year ago, chewing up 418 yards en route to a stunning 38-20 upset of the nation’s ninth-ranked team at the time. Georgia has won three of the past four meetings at what was once tabbed “The World’s Greatest Cocktail Party,” but paid a heavy price for taking the Gators lightly a year ago.

Vs. Missouri, Oct. 17:

The Tigers have won the last two SEC East crowns, but Georgia manhandled them, 34-0, in Columbia last fall. Georgia has claimed two of the three meetings since Missouri joined the SEC. The Tigers had best again prepare for a healthy diet of Nick Chubb and Co.

Vs. Kentucky, Nov. 7:

On paper, Georgia is very bad matchup for the Wildcats. The Bulldogs’ depth and quality players on both sides of the line of scrimmage were apparent a year ago as UGA raced to an early 21-0 lead and cruised to a 63-31 win in Lexington. The Wildcats have the offensive skill players to make things interesting, but don’t expect them to ever slow Georgia down. UGA has won the last five against Kentucky and seven of the last eight. The average margin of victory for the previous two meetings is 37 points.

At Vanderbilt, Sept. 12:

The Commodores lacked playmakers and ranked last in the SEC a year ago in scoring offense and scoring defense. Asking an unproven quarterback to face a deep and talented Georgia defense in the second week of the season is a tall order. The Bulldogs have won eight of the last 10 meetings, including last year’s 44-17 beat down in Athens.