What the great return of Auburn means for Tigers and Ducks

ARLINGTON, Texas – The season's opening results need to be wrapped in duct tape, as overreaction can be embarrassing. But Auburn-Oregon was the type of opening match that, no matter the outcome, had potentially long-term consequences for both teams.

Oregon arrived Saturday at the AT & T stadium, tasked with an entire conference, trying to give good news to the besieged Pac-12 after several rather miserable seasons. Behind quarterback Justin Herbert and a gifted offensive line, the Ducks felt the return to national relevance.

Gus Malzahn of Auburn arrived with the burden of his future coach, who seemed safe at the end of 2017 but was beginning to relax last fall. Malzahn, who resumed his role as offensive playmaker, had to show that he could revive the unit and develop a quarterback he had recruited: Bo Nix, the first real quarterback of Auburn to open a maiden match since 1946.

At the end of the evening, Malzahn and Nix left the field triumphantly. Number 16, Auburn, scored the final 21 points, including the deciding touchdown with 9 seconds left, to knock out No. 11 Oregon 27-21. Malzahn's latest miracle, in a career largely defined by them, propels Auburn behind a young quarterback described by teammate Big Kat Bryant as "supposed to be here".

Mario Cristobal and the Ducks remained puzzled after letting a match go off that they largely controlled.

Here's what the first game could mean for both teams.