'We've got better players': Georgia Bulldogs begin title defense with easy victory over Oregon Ducks
ATLANTA — Defending national champion Georgia might have lost 15 players to the NFL draft, but the No. 3 Bulldogs looked just fine in the first game of their title defense, blasting No.
11 Oregon 49-3 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday. Even after losing five defensive players in the first round, including No.
1 pick Travon Walker, Georgia's defense was too fast and physical for the Ducks. After having lost the most players ever drafted from one school in NFL draft history, Georgia looked like it will still be back in the hunt for a CFP berth for the third time in Smart's seven seasons.
But Smart knows his young team still has a long way to go to get back there, even after its lopsided victory in the opener. «Expectations are definitely already in check,» Smart said. «You don't have to worry about that.» Georgia's offense, which played second fiddle to its record-setting defense last season, was much more explosive against the Ducks.