'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. Quarterback Stetson Bennett, a former walk-on who led the Bulldogs to their first national title in 41 years, completed 25 of 31 passes for a career-high 368 yards with two touchdowns.

With 21 seconds left in the first half, Bennett spun away from four Oregon defenders and somehow saw Ladd McConkey, who was wide open in the end zone for a 4-yard touchdown that gave Georgia a 28-3 lead at the half.

After starting last season as Georgia's No. 3 quarterback and being thrust into the lineup only after JT Daniels was injured, Bennett is the undisputed starter this year.

«I don't think Stetson really gets affected by anything I do, you do or anybody does,» Smart said. «Stetson lives in his own world, and he does a really good job of blocking out all the noise. The guy had a flip phone, OK, in