Oregon football vs. Georgia: how to watch, what to watch for

Published 12:00 am Thursday, September 1, 2022

Oregon has an opportunity to jump start its season and the Dan Lanning era. The storyline is right out of the movies as Dan Lanning begins his head coaching career against the program he helped win a national title eight months earlier.

HOW TO WATCH

When: 12:30 p.m. PT Saturday, Sept. 3.

Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia.

TV: ABC/KATU.

Radio: 1080 AM.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

How an Oregon team with a new coaching staff and more than 50 new players reacts in a spotlight game against the defending national champions. … The Dan Lanning vs. Kirby Smart coaching angle will be hyped. But, from the Ducks’ perspective, this is a chance to answer questions about their emotional and physical toughness.

We expect Bo Nix to be the starting quarterback, but Lanning as of Aug. 30 has (understandably) not announced it. Whoever is behind center, the play of Oregon’s experienced offensive line will determine whether the Ducks sustain drives and make a few explosive plays. They have the athletes to make those game-changing plays, but it will be interesting to see who steps up at the running back and receiving positions. Georgia returns only three starters from Lanning’s dominant defense of last season, but the Bulldogs have plenty of talent and an established defensive mentality that the Ducks hope to emulate.

On defense, it will be fun to watch linebackers Noah Sewell and Justin Flowe on the field together. Oregon needs to generate pressure on Georgia senior quarterback Stetson Bennett. If not, the Ducks’ rebuilt secondary might have a long day.

LINEBACKING CORE: Sewell and Flowe push each other, looking to lift Oregon football

Lanning has repeatedly said football is about players, not coaches. While it’s impossible to ignore the coaching story here, Saturday will give fans their first real look at a touted, but largely unproven, roster of players.

Marquee “neutral site” season openers haven’t gone the Ducks way in recent years, notably a 40-27 loss in 2011 to LSU and a 27-21 loss to Auburn in 2019, both at Arlington, Texas. A win would be great, but if the Ducks are entertaining, can match Georgia’s speed, and play a pretty clean game, those will be encouraging signs, win or lose.