Georgia's top-ranked defense was a simply a shell itself during the SEC title game in early December, as Alabama sophomore quarterback and Heisman winner Bryce Young threw for a whopping 421 yards with three touchdowns and wasn't sacked once en route to a convincing 41-24 win.
And if the Bulldogs -- determined to exorcise old playoff demons -- want to be crowned national champions in a rematch against the rival Crimson Tide next Monday, their stout defensive front needs to force pressure on Young from start to finish, according to former Georgia receiver Tavarres King.
"The key to this game is getting home to Young. It didn't happen, we didn't sack him one time. And I think that's the key to beating this Alabama team," King told The DA Show on Thursday. "Our front seven is the best front seven, collectively, in college football. If you look throughout the year, when they get home and are getting to the quarterback, success comes at a high rate.
"That's the key to this game. We have to throw different looks at Young, make him move out of the pocket. And when he's out of the pocket, we've got to get him on the ground. Obviously, that's easier said than done -- that guy is phenomenal, and he has phenomenal receivers out wide, as well. He's got talent around him, but I think the key is corralling that guy."
Georgia reestablished its prowess in the Orange Bowl national semifinal on Dec. 31, limiting Michigan to 237 passing yards and forcing three turnovers and four sacks in a 34-11 victory. The Bulldogs rank fourth in the country in total sacks this season (45), and their defense has allowed 300-plus yards through the air only twice in 14 games.
For the second time in five seasons, Georgia and Alabama will play each other for the coveted CFP trophy, this time with kickoff scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET on Monday in Indianapolis. According to FiveThirtyEight, the Bulldogs have a 56-percent chance to win their first national title since 1980.
The entire College Football Playoff conversation between King and DA can be accessed in the audio player above.
You can follow The DA Show on Twitter @DAonCBS and @CBSSportsRadio, and Tom Hanslin @TomHanslin.