Georgia vs. Oregon: Prediction and preview

Georgia opens its season at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday against Oregon in Mercedes-Benz Stadium on ABC. The only prior meeting between the programs came in 1977, a 27-16 Georgia victory in a game coached by Rich Brooks and Vince Dooley.

Georgia vs. Oregon Preview

Kirby Smart, Stetson Bennett and the rest of the Bulldogs begin the season hoping to start the march back to the confetti celebration they enjoyed in Indianapolis in January. The first opponent is full of familiar faces in coach Dan Lanning, Oregon’s first-year head coach and the former defensive coordinator in Athens, and former Auburn QB Bo Nix, who is expected to start for the Ducks in Atlanta. Smart is 2-0 against his former assistants-turned-head coaches in Arkansas’ Sam Pittman, and South Carolina’s Shame Beamer.

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It was Lanning who helped coach the 5 Georgia players on defense who went in the first round of the NFL Draft. While most were on defense, Georgia set an NFL record since the draft was moved to 7 rounds, as 15 Bulldogs were chosen. Georgia beat out the 2020 LSU and 2004 Ohio State teams, both of which had 14 players taken each year.

However, Georgia is still full of talent, and returns 10 starters including an impressive group of tight ends widely believed to be the best in the country. Brock Bowers and Darnell Washington lead a group that has caused offensive coordinator Todd Monken to toy with a 4-tight alignment. Among the key players expected this year are Jalen Carter, linebacker Nolan Smith and cornerback Kelee Ringo. New faces abound for the Ducks as well, as Lanning took the roster left by Mario Cristobal and added 15 transfers from Power 5 programs.

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Speaking of Ringo, Smart said this week that the star cornerback won’t let his Pick-6 against Alabama in the national championship define who he is as as player.

“You worry about a play like that going to a guy’s head,” Smart said. “He was the first to admit ‘I’m not where I need to be.’ He’s been a leader, he’s been an everyday work guy. He’s worked really hard to be a good player. The play doesn’t define the player. But he can’t let that do that to him. He can still ascend. He has a lot of things he can improve on.”

Smart won’t have to go back far to remind his players that Oregon is capable of an upset. After all, the Ducks won at Ohio State last season.

For personnel to look for, Oregon has an All-Pac-12 offensive lineman in Alex Forsyth, as well as an All-Pac-12 defensive lineman in Brandon Dorlus and All-Pac-12 linebacker in Noah Sewell.

Georgia vs. Oregon Prediction

Oregon has largely struggled against SEC opponents, and since this is a home away from home for Georgia, look for the Bulldogs to be comfortable in the setting, and more comfortable as a coaching staff.

Prediction: Georgia 31, Oregon 17.