Three things Georgia football must do on defense to beat Oregon

In July, Georgia football head coach Kirby Smart made it clear that the Dawgs would do the hunting this season. Well, the opening day of hunting season is quickly approaching — for Georgia, that means it’s duck season.

Georgia kicks off its new season Saturday in the Chic-fil-A Kickoff Classic against the Oregon Ducks.

Oregon will be a new foe on the turf, but that program has a few familiar faces. New head coach Dan Lanning was at Georgia for the previous four seasons as outside linebacker coach and defensive coordinator.

Also, Oregon will be bringing former Auburn quarterback Bo Nix. Lanning has been quiet on who the starter will be, but one has to believe Nix stands a good chance. Nix has gone 0-3 against Georgia while at Auburn.

What does the Georgia football defense need to do to beat the Oregon Ducks?

On Georgia’s defense, the talk all offseason is who all left for the NFL. Georgia did lose a lot of top-tier talent. The 2021 defense was elite and possibly the greatest defense of all time. However, talent-wise Georgia has it — experience-wise, it’s another story.

What Georgia has on defense is three of the premier coaches on that side of the ball. It’s well known Smart may be the greatest defensive mind in college football. Many fans make the mistake that Will Muschamp’s record as head coach somehow represents his coaching ability. The guy can coach defense and has for many years at an extremely high level.

The third is Glenn Schumann. He comes from the coaching genes of former University of Alabama Birmingham head coach Eric Schuman. Starting his coaching career as an eighteen-year-old at Alabama, Schumann has been attached to Smart’s hip ever since.

Now, let’s get into the three things Georgia’s defense has to do to be victorious Saturday against the Ducks.

The more things change, the more they stay the same

With so much talent leaving Georgia to play on Sundays, it is natural to pull up their recent recruiting classes and find who will take the reins and lead. However, Georgia fans look no further than seniors Nolan Smith and Robert Beal.

The final drive of the national championship game against Alabama consisted of Beal and Smith, each recording a sack.

Everyone knows what Georgia is replacing in the middle of its defense. Smith and Beal dominating on the outside would ease the young Dawgs into playing better. Creating havoc has been what Smart has consistently asked from his defense. If there is a duo on the Georgia defense who can make that havoc, it’s Smith and Beal.

Ground the Ducks

Oregon offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham loves the big play. Last season while offensive coordinator for Florida State, FSU had six plays of 60-plus yards, good for No.18 in the country. The Noles also had three touchdowns of 75-plus yards, which ranked No.8 in the country.

Dillingham is also Oregon’s quarterback coach, so he will be looking to sling the ball around. However, Oregon will face a secondary, unlike anything Dillingham has seen since he left Auburn a few seasons ago.

Georgia has abundant experience with Chris Smith and Tykee Smith at the two safety spots. Chris Smith is a blue-collar worker who has earned his spot at the top of the depth chart. Tykee Smith was hurt for most of his 2021 season, but before 2021 he was one of the best in the nation while at West Virginia.

At corner, Georgia will have one with experience in Kelee Ringo and another most fans will be getting to know. Sophomore Kamari Lassiter seems to be the likely choice at the other cornerback spot. He played in every Georgia game last season and did get his first career interception against Vanderbilt. Dillingham will test these two. If the Georgia secondary locks down the air attack, be ready for a blowout.

Write your own legacy

Eight of the fifteen players drafted from the University of Georgia in the 2022 NFL Draft came from the defense. Those guys are not walking back onto that field. Jamon Dumas-Johnson does not need to be Nakobe Dean, Smael Mondon does not need to be Quay Walker, and Zion Logue does not need to be Jordan Davis. They must be themselves and start writing their own legacy.

None of the first-year starters need to feel the pressure to replace such a historic defense.
Those guys were all exceptional high school football players. They have gotten coached by an elite staff that will have them ready. If they can play within themselves and the guys coming back — Georgia will show the entire world that just because 2021 is over, it does not mean Georgia is lying down and accepting complacency.