ATHENS, GA — The No. 3 ranked University of Georgia Bulldogs are gearing up for their 2026 season opener when Tennessee State University comes to town this weekend.
UGA head coach Kirby Smart previously addressed areas of concern, including an emphasis on becoming more explosive offensively and putting pressure on the opposing quarterback defensively.
The Tigers finished the 2025 season with a 2-10 record, while the Bulldogs finished 12-2. The Bulldogs concluded their season earlier than expected with a 39-34 loss in the playoff quarterfinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl to Ole Miss.
The Bulldogs are continuing to build their offense, defense and special teams units ahead of Saturday’s game.
The Tigers lost 26-24 to Jackson State University last week.
“Excited about game week,” Smart previously said previewing the teams season opener. “I know our players are ready to play someone other than beating up on ourselves in practice. Guys are excited. I know the fans are excited. I’m excited for this team to go out and play their first game. We’ve got to play somebody else to get better. That’s the stage we’re in. We had a really good camp. We had 20, 21 practices. We’re in a really good spot to get better.”
Smart added that Tennessee State “played a really tight exciting ball game, had a tough loss, played really well against Jackson State.”
The Bulldogs and Tigers kick off at 3 p.m. in Athens.
How to watch: SEC Network
How to listen: Tune in to WSB Radio 95.5.
WSB Radio’s Christina Edwards says fans should also be prepared for record-high temperatures expected this weekend.
The forecast high for Saturday afternoon in Athens is 98 degrees, which is 10 degrees above average and close to the record high of 99 degrees set at Ben Epps Airport in Athens in 1954.
If the forecast verifies, it would mark the hottest home season opener game in the past decade.