Georgia

Georgia passes Michigan, Alabama in early 2025 CFP National Championship odds

Published

2 years ago

January 9, 2024

Georgia passes Michigan, Alabama in early 2025 CFP National Championship odds

Michigan reigns supreme!

The Michigan Wolverines secured their first ever College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday, defeating No. 2 Washington by a considerable margin, 34-13. The Wolverines became just the fourth school all-time to finish the season as champions with a perfect 15-0 record.

Of course, eventually the Wolverines’ celebration will cease. Head coach Jim Harbaugh may be headed to the NFL for a second stint, leaving the Wolverines perhaps short-handed heading into their title defense in 2025. Only Alabama (2011-12) and Georgia (2021-22) have been able to earn back-to-back national titles this century — unless you also count USC’s co-champions and vacated titles in 2003 and 2004. It will be a daunting task for the Wolverines.

In fact, Michigan is not even the favorites to win the national title next year. Here are the top-10 schools with the best odds to win next year’s College Football Playoff. Odds are courtesy of BetMGM.

2024 college football: Way-too-early college football Top 25 for 2024 season

College Football National Championship odds 2025:

1. Georgia Bulldogs (+325)

With quarterback Carson Beck returning for next year, the Georgia Bulldogs will look to rebound from a disappointing finish to the 2023-24 season. Beck should have more help as well with incoming Florida transfer Trevor Etienne likely making a large impact in the Bulldogs’ backfield.

All in all, the Bulldogs boast one of the best incoming classes for 2025 as they always do. Regardless of who winds up stepping up for the Bulldogs, they are sure to be competitive next season.

2. Alabama Crimson Tide (+550)

Alabama will take major hits on defense next year, losing several key members of their secondary. However, we know that the Crimson Tide are never down for long. Any improvement from quarterback Jalen Milroe should lead to a terrific 2024-25 season.

3. Ohio State Buckeyes (+800)

The Buckeyes biggest problem in recent years has been their inability to take down Michigan. However, with Wolverines’ head coach Jim Harbaugh possibly leaving this offseason, the Buckeyes will have an opportunity to finally take them down. The Buckeyes return several key members of their defense and although there was a huge question mark at quarterback, Kansas State transfer Will Howard should slot into the role rather quickly.

T-4. Michigan Wolverines (+900)

Sure, we just watched the Wolverines dominate the national championship game, but the fact is that there are a lot of question marks surrounding this team for next season. Not only are quarterback J.J. McCarthy and head coach Jim Harbaugh possibly gone, but the team also needs to rebuild the entirety of its offensive line and most of its defense. Michigan lost several key players on both sides of the ball this year, so expecting them to rebound with so much unknown right now is a fool’s errand.

T-4. Texas Longhorns (+900)

While quarterback Quinn Ewers seems poised to return for the Longhorns, he will be without many of his favorite weapons from this season. Sure, Ewers is fantastic, but he needs people he can trust to catch the ball as well. Moving to the SEC could result in a horrendous season for Texas, but should the Longhorns prove worthy of moving to the toughest conference in college football, they’ll once again be in CFP talks at the end of the season.

6. Oregon Ducks (+1000)

In their final season with the Pac-12, Oregon just could not find a way to take down Washington. They had two opportunities and came up short both times. How will Oregon fare in the Big Ten now? The hope is that Oregon transitions smoothly, but with Bo Nix gone, the quarterback job will likely fall to Oklahoma transfer Dillon Gabriel. Gabriel was able to manage the Big 12, but games against Ohio State and Michigan could be too much for the former Sooner.

7. Ole Miss Rebels (+1100)

Nobody manages the transfer portal better than Mississippi head coach Lane Kiffin. Although the Rebels lost a few key players this season, Kiffin made sure to shore those losses up. He retains his quarterback, Jaxson Dart, and after a season where the Rebels only lost to Alabama and Georgia, expectations will be higher than they have ever been. Of course, the Rebels do not have the incoming classes that the Crimson Tide and Bulldogs bring to the table, so a College Football Playoff appearance would be a massive win for the Rebels’ program on its own.

8. LSU Tigers (+1600)

LSU always has enough talent to compete. It’s only a matter of getting everyone to mesh together that stands in their way of national title contention. With the departure of Heisman winner Jayden Daniels as well as the Tigers’ top two receivers, LSU’s offense could be in for a letdown if quarterback Garrett Nussmeier does not pan out. Furthermore, Kelly’s decision to fire defensive coordinator Matt House, cornerbacks coach Robert Steeples, safeties coach Kerry Cooks, and defensive line coach Jimmy Lindsey means there is still a lot of work to be done on the defensive side of the ball before LSU is ready to compete for a national title.

T-9. Clemson Tigers (+2000)

Clemson boasts a solid roster of returning players on defense, but questions in the Tigers’ offensive backfield could limit Clemson’s ability to make a run for a championship in 2025.

T-9. Florida State Seminoles (+2000)

After being left out of the College Football Playoff and suffering an embarrassing defeat at the hands of Georgia in the Orange Bowl, Florida State will look for revenge in 2025. However, getting that revenge is easier said than done. The biggest problem facing the Seminoles will be replacing quarterback Jordan Travis. It’s clear that Florida State’s offense was not the same without him. However, aside from the quarterback position, most of Florida State’s key contributors will return next year.

Just off the list:

Penn State Nittany Lions (+2500)
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (+3000)
Oklahoma Sooners (+3000)
USC Trojans (+3000)
Texas A&M Aggies (+4000)

College Football Power Rankings: Final NCAA Re-Rank 1-133

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Georgia

Georgia Lt. Gov. candidate releases controversial ‘Sharia law’ video

Published

7 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Georgia Lt. Gov. candidate releases controversial ‘Sharia law’ video

In the days since the initial U.S. strikes in Iran, countless lawmakers stateside have weighed in on the Trump Administration’s decision to once again get involved in a conflict in the Middle East.

Prominent Georgia political figures like former representative Marjorie Taylor Greene and Senators Ossoff and Warnock have denounced the attacks, while candidates to replace MTG and others running in midterm elections have backed the president.

Now, Georgia State Senator Greg Dolezal, who is running for Lieutenant Governor in November, has posted a controversial video to social media depicting a hypothetical scenario where an extreme version of what he calls “Sharia law” has taken over the United States.

“London has fallen. Europe is under siege. In America, the invaders who would rather pillage our generosity than assimilate are roaming Minnesota, New York and LA,” Dolezal said in the post. “As Lt. Governor, I will fight the enemy before they’re within the gates and keep Georgia safe and Sharia free.”

The video was marked with a content warning on X.

What does the video show?

The video, appearing to have been AI-generated, begins with two people walking toward a building and wearing head coverings, possibly hijabs, shaylas, Al-miras or khimars.

It then cuts to a man writing with frosting on a cake, possibly “Happy Easter,” but the letters are unclear. A figure dressed in all black runs into frame and slices the cake with a weapon like a Zulfiqar sword.

It goes on to show military vehicles driving down the street, a woman being stopped from driving, a group of men in head coverings shooting weapons into the air and a suicide bomber vest, all while playing a song with the lyrics “No Sharia.”

(Warning: the video may be disturbing for some viewers.)

Video called ‘disgusting’ and ‘racist’

The video was met with significant criticism, including from Democratic gubernatorial candidate Geoff Duncan.

“This is disgusting. People wonder why I became a Democrat, it’s because of the inexcusable hatred spewed by so many Republicans like Greg Dolezal. Hate, including Islamophobia, has no place in Georgia,” Duncan wrote on X.

Rev. James “Major” Woodall, Sr., of Atlanta, called the video “deeply racist.”

“As a Christian man who deeply loves Georgia, I pray you never become Lt. Governor,” Woodall wrote.

Emanuel Jones, of the state senate, called out his fellow representative and said “if you don’t know it yet, Georgia is better than this!!”

“We don’t need race baiting, fear mongering to get votes. Perhaps that (is) what the Republican Party has devolved into,” Jones said on X.

Dolezal got support, however, from MAGA personality Laura Loomer who commented “No Sharia!”

The video has also been reposted more than 1,000 times as of 2 p.m. on March 4.

Who is Greg Dolezal?

The state senator represents District 27, and is based in Alpharetta. He was sworn in to the Georgia Senate in 2019.

He is a small business owner and attended North Park University.

Irene Wright is the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA Today’s Deep South Connect team. Find her on X @IreneEWright or email her at ismith@usatodayco.com.

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Georgia

Why Southern Living is spotlighting serene coastal escape in Georgia

Published

19 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Why Southern Living is spotlighting serene coastal escape in Georgia

A quiet stretch of the Georgia coast is back in the national spotlight.

In a recent feature, Southern Living highlighted the Golden Isles as one of the South’s most serene escapes, praising the region’s undeveloped marshes, barrier islands and slower pace compared to other East Coast beach destinations.

Located roughly halfway between Savannah and Jacksonville, the Golden Isles include Brunswick, Sea Island, St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island and Little St. Simons Island.

Here’s what to know.

What makes Georgia’s Golden Isles different?

Unlike more densely developed beach towns in neighboring states, Georgia’s coastline is defined by tidal creeks, salt marshes and wide stretches of protected land.

“The coast of Georgia is quite different than the shores of North Carolina or South Carolina,” Southern Living wrote. “It’s wilder and quieter, and it’s much less populated with beach towns.”

While the islands offer modern resorts and vacation homes, much of the natural character remains intact.

One of the most photographed spots is Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island, known for its haunting remains of a maritime forest scattered along the shoreline.

Where are visitors staying?

The publication pointed to several well-known properties across the islands:

The Cloister at Sea Island
Jekyll Island Club Resort
St. Simons Island: The Grey Owl Inn and the St. Simons Lighthouse.

Little St. Simons Island, accessible only by boat, was highlighted for its all-inclusive lodge and thousands of acres of protected marshland and upland habitat.

What can you do in the Golden Isles?

Southern Living emphasized simple, immersive experiences:

Biking under live oaks
Kayaking through marsh creeks
Horseback riding along the beach
Watching sunsets over the water.

Public beaches like East Beach on St. Simons Island remain open to visitors, while golf courses on Jekyll Island and St. Simons offer year-round play.

The region’s history also plays a major role. Visitors can climb the St. Simons Lighthouse, explore historic districts in Brunswick or learn about Gullah Geechee heritage through local organizations.

For more information, visit southernliving.com/georgias-golden-isles-11906085.

Vanessa Countryman is the Trending Topics Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team Georgia. Email her at Vcountryman@gannett.com.

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Georgia

Gov. Kemp signs amended FY 2026 budget, delivering $2B in Georgia tax relief

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Gov. Kemp signs amended FY 2026 budget, delivering B in Georgia tax relief

ATLANTA, Ga. — Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp on Tuesday signed HB 973, the amended Fiscal Year 2026 budget.

The amended budget includes $2 billion in income and property tax relief, alongside investments in education, public safety, mental health, transportation and rural development.

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones praised Gov. Kemp, saying the budget…

“Makes critical investments in middle-class families, mental health services, healthcare workforce development, transportation and Georgia’s veterans community.”

Key allocations in the amended budget include:

Education and Workforce Development: $325 million to endow the DREAMS Scholarship, a new needs-based scholarship program; $6 million for a Career Navigator tool; and funding for new and expanded programs at University System of Georgia and Technical College System of Georgia institutions.
Public Safety: $150 million for Department of Corrections bed space, $9.7 million for additional corrections officers, $15 million for a new K-9 training facility, and $50 million to help communities address homelessness, including among veterans.
Mental Health: $409 million to design and construct a new Georgia Regional Hospital to expand mental health bed capacity.
Transportation: More than $1.6 billion to extend and expand I-75 express lanes in Henry County; $185 million for SR 316 interchange conversions; $100 million for rural bridge rehabilitation and replacement; and $250 million for local maintenance and improvement grants.
Rural Georgia: $15 million for rural site development grants; $35 million for a new natural gas infrastructure program; and $8.9 million for the Georgia Forestry Innovation Initiative.

Governor Kemp says the state’s conservative budgeting approach has allowed Georgia to provide tax relief while making “generational investments.”

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