ATHENS, Ga. -- When defending national champion Georgia lost 15 starters to the NFL draft after winning its first title since 1980 last season, the Bulldogs weren't expected to be nearly as good this year.
Georgia had five defensive starters selected in the first round of the draft, so surely it couldn't be as good on that side of the ball again.
But the Bulldogs who did come back knew their defense was in good hands with defensive tackle Jalen Carter anchoring the middle. His rise to stardom from the shadows of his former teammates is a big reason Georgia is back in the College Football Playoff for the third time in coach Kirby Smart's tenure.