HOOVER, Ala. -- Kirby Smart knew the stakes would always be high, with the expectations to match, when he took over as head coach at his alma mater Georgia in 2016.
Smart's Bulldogs will have the bull's-eye squarely on their backs entering his second season in Athens, as Georgia was a narrow pick by league media to slip past Florida and claim the SEC East title.
Georgia schedule
Sept. 9;at Notre Dame
Georgia glance
LAST SEASON 8-5, 4-4 (tied for second in SEC East)
COACH Kirby Smart (8-5 in first season at Georgia and overall)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS LB Davin Bellamy RB Nick Chubb, QB Jacob Eason, RB Sony Michel, ILB Roquan Smith, DT Trenton Thompson
SEC TITLE SCENARIO If quarterback Jacob Eason progresses along the track that the Georgia coaching staff expects and the Bulldogs become a more reliable short-yardage run team, the defense should be stout enough to make the Bulldogs a contender in the division and the conference.