Saturday Blitz
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5 games with playoff implications in College Football Week 1

By Harris Jacobs

MORGANTOWN, WV - NOVEMBER 25: Geno Smith #12 of the West Virginia Mountaineers evades a tackle from Brandon Lindsey #7 of the University of Pittsburgh Panthers during the 2011 Backyard Brawl on November 25, 2011 at Mountaineer Field in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
MORGANTOWN, WV - NOVEMBER 25: Geno Smith #12 of the West Virginia Mountaineers evades a tackle from Brandon Lindsey #7 of the University of Pittsburgh Panthers during the 2011 Backyard Brawl on November 25, 2011 at Mountaineer Field in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JANUARY 10: Georgia Bulldogs players celebrate after the Georgia Bulldogs defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide 33-18 in the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JANUARY 10: Georgia Bulldogs players celebrate after the Georgia Bulldogs defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide 33-18 in the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

2. No.11 Oregon vs No.3 Georgia

The national champion Georgia Bulldogs open their title defense against the 11th-ranked Oregon Ducks at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

The Ducks are led by first-year head coach and ex-Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning, who arrived in Eugene following last year’s national championship victory.

After becoming the first school ever to have five defensive players selected in the first round of the 2022 draft, Georgia has to replace lots of production in order to contend for another title.

Nevertheless, head coach Kirby Smart’s defensive unit should still be one of the country’s best- led by veterans Nolan Smith and Jalen Carter, along with a rising star in cornerback Keelee Ringo.

Offensively, the Bulldogs will be led by sixth-year senior quarterback Stetson Bennett IV, who returns to Athens after being named MVP of last season’s National Championship Game. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken might have the best tight end room in America, which features sophomore Brock Bowers, junior Darnell Washington, and LSU transfer Arik Gilbert.

The Oregon Ducks are coming off of a 10-4 campaign that included a win over Ohio State and a loss to Utah in the Pac-12 title game.

While Dan Lanning has yet to announce a starting quarterback, the Bulldogs could very well face a familiar foe in ex-Auburn quarterback Bo Nix. Oregon did lose star running back Travis Dye to the USC Trojans, but sophomore Byron Cardwell looks like a viable replacement.

While Kirby Smart’s team is heavily favored in this matchup, it is crucial for the Bulldogs to play their best on Saturday. If Oregon upsets Georgia on Saturday, Georgia would likely have to go undefeated and win the SEC to qualify for the College Football Playoff.

For Oregon, nobody would frown upon them if they are unable to knock off the defending champs. Yet it is vital for the Ducks to put up a strong fight, a Week 1 blowout could be close to a permanent stain on the Ducks’ resume.

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