Nicholls State vs. Oregon: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time and More

Mark Helfrich will make his head coaching debut with the Oregon Ducks on Aug. 31 by demolishing Nicholls State. 

There's a reason that the saying is "on any given Sunday" and not "on any given Saturday", and it is because of games like this. Despite losing former head coach Chip Kelly to the Philadelphia Eagles this past offseason, the Ducks still appear mighty enough to be ranked No. 3 in the nation. 

Meanwhile, Nicholls State is a lower division school coming off of a 1-10 campaign. That included a game where Oregon State squeaked by the mighty Colonels, 77-3. 

While this game isn't likely to be competitive, it will be interesting. It will give us insight as to where the Ducks are in their coaching transition, and there are bound to be a plethora of highlights. 

So, check out the vitals, and then I'll continue the preview. 

When: Aug. 31 at 4 p.m. ET

Where: Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon

TV Coverage: Fox Sports 1

Spread: Oregon (-58.5) via Covers.com

Injury Report (via USA Today)

Nicholls State 

No injuries to report.

Oregon 

OL Mana Greig - Questionable - Undisclosed

TE Pharaoh Brown - Doubtful - Undisclosed

BCS/Top 25 Implications

Oregon sits at No. 3 in both the USA Today and AP polls. Anything but a blowout victory and the Ducks are bound to fall in the rankings.

Nicholls State Player to Watch: Beaux Hebert, QB

Beaux Hebert is the son of the Cajun Cannon and former NFL starting quarterback Bobby Hebert, and he is ready to start carving out his own legacy. 

Last year, Hebert was the backup to Landry Klann. Klann went onto throw for 2,049 yards and eight touchdowns and was set to resume his duties this year. However, he was lost for the season due to injury.

This is a rough matchup to start carving out that legacy, however. He will have a hard time exploiting the athletically superior defense of Oregon. 

Oregon Player to Watch: Marcus Mariota, QB

Few players enter this season with the kind of expectations that Marcus Mariota is facing. He is one of the leading Heisman hopefuls and he is expected to help lead the offense through the coaching transition. 

Of course, these expectations are there for good reason. Mariota is a phenomenal talent. Last year he threw for 2,677 yards and 32 touchdowns while also rushing for another 752 yards.

In last year's season opener, the Ducks routed Arkansas State, 57-34. That game was Mariota's first start for Oregon, and he was on the bench by halftime due to the blowout. 

He still managed to go 18-of-22 for 200 yards and three touchdowns. I would expect a similarly excellent and efficient season debut this year. 

Prediction: Oregon 69, Nicholls State 20

Look, if the Ducks were really intent on the task, I think they could make a push for 100 points. However, I'll look for them to get their first team rolling and then scale back the attack. 

Of course, when the fast-paced Oregon offense scales back, it can still produce.