Dawgs247 has learned that a 2022 matchup between Georgia and Oregon is in the works. According to persons with knowledge of the situation, the game would take place in Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and the SEC vs. PAC12 showdown has not yet been finalized. Those same contacts, however, indicate that final word could come in the next couple of weeks.

It is unknown at this time whether the game would be associated with Chick-Fil-A as one of its kickoff games, but with the game taking place in Mercedes-Benz Stadium between two non-conference teams to begin a season, its almost certain that will be the case.

Chick-Fil-A has one neutral-site home game scheduled for the venue in each of the next two seasons. Auburn and Washington play on September 1, 2018, and Alabama vs. Duke in 2019.

Three games are scheduled for Mercedes-Benz Stadium in 2020. Florida State and Virginia will square off on Monday, September 5, 2020, followed by Georgia vs. Virginia on Labor Day on September 7. Auburn and North Carolina will play in week two on September 12.

There are two Chick-Fil-A games set for 2021. Alabama will take on Miami and Louisville will square off against Ole Miss. It is not known at this time which of those games will take place on Saturday or Monday.

UGA and Oregon have faced off once before with the Bulldogs coming out on top. That game occurred in in 1977 and the UGA victory came by a score of 27-16.

There's some connection between the coaching staffs at each program, too. The head coaches, Kirby Smart and Mario Cristobal, coached together for three years at Alabama. Cristobal was in charge of the offensive line while Smart was finishing his time up in Tuscaloosa as defensive coordinator before taking the UGA job.

Cristobal spent one year at Oregon as the co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach under Willie Taggert before moving into the head office once Taggert left for Florida State.

The Ducks' strength and conditioning coordinator, Aaron Feld, spent three years on UGA's staff from 2015-2017.

Smart recently appeared on the 680 The Fan radio show "The Front Row" where he stated that he's all for facing a Power Five challenge to begin the season.

"I love playing a Power Five team if we can do it," Smart said, "I think it's a better offseason, a lot more to look forward to. I'd love a home-and-home. I'd love a neutral site. I love those type games, especially an opportunity to play in Atlanta, which we are always looking to do. I love that."

Smart also indicated that his preference is to begin every other season with a game against a school from one of the five major conferences.

Georgia appeared in the Chick-Fil-A Kickoff in The Georgia Dome to begin Smart's first year in 2016 and it's where the third-year head man got his first win. The Bulldogs defeated the Tar Heels by a score of 33-24.