Kirby Smart previews Week One matchup against Dan Lanning

The time for celebrating the Georgia Bulldogs‘ 2022 College Football Playoff Championship victory has come and gone, and the new college football season is right around the corner. For head coach Kirby Smart, this means having to turn his attention to his teams’ Week One opponent – the Oregon Ducks.

During SEC Media Days, Smart detailed how his team will match up against the new-look Oregon Ducks under first-year head coach Dan Lanning. Unfortunately for Smart, Lanning spent the last three seasons as the Bulldogs’ defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach.

Lanning knows the Georgia offensive scheme to a T after having his defense go up against the Georgia offense everyday in practice sine 2019.

“Well, I think we have to do some different things. [Lanning will] be thinking the same way. We’re not going to go out there and just do the exact same thing,” Smart said. “You’ve got to put your players in a chance to be successful. We’ve got to figure out who those players are. I think we know at some of the skill positions, but maybe defensively are we stronger on the perimeter.

“Are we stronger inside? Where are we stout at and where’s our best [positions]? That’s what we’ve got to utilize.”

Following the self-proclaimed Georgia informercial that was the 2022 NFL Draft, there are sizable holes that need to be filled prior to the start of the new college football season. With 15 players drafted and more receiving opportunities as undrafted free agents – the younger, less experienced Bulldogs on the roster are expected to step up when their number is called.

The one thing neither team has to worry about is who will be under center for both squads. Stetson Bennett is finally receiving the Week One start after receiving the preseason nod as the sure-fire starting quarterback. Meanwhile, former Auburn standout Bo Nix is the starter in Eugene this season – and is likely fired up at the potential of knocking off his former rival for the first time in his career.

The Bulldogs and Ducks are slated to kickoff during college football’s opening weekend on Sept. 3 in Atlanta’s Mercedes Benz Stadium at 3:30 p.m. ET with ABC carrying the national broadcast.