by Chuck Sommers
Thursday, Sep 01, 2022Chifk-fil-A Kickoff
Game time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Where to watch: ABC
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Georgia -17, total 52.5
FanDuel: Georgia -17.5, total 53.5
BetMGM: Georgia -17.5, total 52.5
Caesars: Georgia -17, total 53
2021 season record
No. 11 Oregon: 10-4 (7-2 Pac-12), lost Pac-12 title game to Utah, lost Alamo Bowl to Oklahoma
No. 3 Georgia: 14-1 (8-0 SEC), won national champion
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Oregon - Georgia preview, analysis and prediction
You wonder if teams still have nightmares going against the Georgia Bulldogs defense. Likely we may never see a unit like that ever again, and I think for everyone involved -- including the Alabama Crimson Tide -- that may be a good thing.
That Georgia defense will stand alone as one of the all-time great units, and it showed as the Bulldogs nearly coasted, about 99% of the way, to a national championship and dethroning Alabama in the process.
Now, the Bulldogs will try for the repeat and open the year at No. 3 in the country behind Alabama and Ohio State. That defense, and perhaps the play of senior quarterback Stetson Bennett, is what will ultimately get Georgia back to the top of the rankings when all is said and done. The defending champs will have an impromptu home game to begin the season against the No. 11 Oregon Ducks on Saturday.
The Bulldogs' run to the national title game last season wasn't one of shock. The win itself might have been the most surprising aspect. The defense that dominated all year ran into the same Alabama team in the SEC Championship Game, got torched by allowing more than 40 points, once again looking like Nick Saban was going to have the upper hand of Kirby Smart.
That wasn't the case, with Georgia holding Alabama and Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young to less than 20 points and winning the whole thing. Trying to figure out if Georgia really is the class of the SEC will take some time, but at the very least, Georgia brings back a strong defense and an offense centered around Bennett and Brock Bowers.
To say the Georgia defense is still strong despite Travon Walker going No. 1 overall. It's not a unit that's going to get to the quarterback plenty, as seen as last year, but it's a stout unit that will stop the run and play well against the pass.
And when facing a questionable group in Oregon that relies a lot on the run, both from the quarterback and running game, this is perfect for Georgia to build off last year.
Oregon, however, does have a familiar name at quarterback with Bo Nix, the transfer from Auburn who apparently can't escape the SEC no matter how hard he tries. But if there's anyone who might know a thing or two about Georgia, it's Oregon's new coach.
Dan Lanning makes his Ducks debut after spending time as Georgia's defensive coordinator. He has a true pocket quarterback this time around following the Anthony Brown era. Byron Caldwell becomes the leading tailback with Travis Dye gone, and the defense now runs through Noah Sewell. The linebacker led the Ducks with 114 tackles and four sacks a year ago.
Speaking of sacks, trying to figure out who replaces Kavon Thibodeaux on the defensive line might be Oregon's bgigest challenge. Redshirt freshman Bradyn Swinson might get the call after three sacks last season.
Prediction
I'm all for taking the sure thing. While Lanning will be a great fit for Oregon in time, this is the first big test for the Ducks without Mario Cristobal. Georgia is returning nearly everyone after a stellar season, and anyone doubting them again in 2022 should be cautious. Georgia by 24
Betting trends
Oregon is 60-46 ATS as an underdog since 1992, but 3-4 in the past three years.
Oregon is 4-3 ATS agaisnt SEC teams since 1992.
Georgia is 24-14 ATS as a neutral site favorite since 1992.
Georgia is 13-10 ATS as a favorite the past three seasons.
2021 statistical leaders
Oregon
Passing: Anthony Brown -- 2,989 yards, 18 TD, 7 INT
Rushing: Travis Dye -- 1,271 yards, 16 TD
Receiving: Devon Williams -- 557 yards, 4 TD
Defense: Kavon Thibodeaux -- 7 sacks
Georgia
Passing: Stetson Bennett -- 2,862 yards, 29 TD, 7 INT
Rushing: Zamir White -- 856 yards, 11 TD
Receiving: Brock Bowers -- 882 yards, 13 TD
Defense: Travon Walker -- 6.5 sacks
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
