Georgia

Yahoo Top 10: Surprise upsets and a dramatic Alabama-Georgia finish shake up rankings

Published

1 year ago

September 29, 2024

Yahoo Top 10: Surprise upsets and a dramatic Alabama-Georgia finish shake up rankings

What do Army, Navy, Indiana, James Madison, Duke, BYU, UNLV and Rutgers have in common?

They are all — shockingly enough — undefeated more than a month into the college football season. Those eight schools are 35-0: two military academies, a private religious-affiliated university in the mountains of Utah, three basketball schools, a Big Ten cellar-dweller located in New Jersey and a school in Virginia named after the fourth U.S. president.

But after another wacky Saturday in college football, these programs sit among the list of 18 total FBS unbeatens.

Army and Navy are 4-0 for the first time since World War II. Indiana is 5-0 for the first time since the Vietnam War. JMU, in just its second year in FBS, sits at 4-0. BYU leads the Big 12 with an undefeated record. Rutgers is 4-0 for the first time in more than a decade.

UNLV, without QB Matthew Sluka, cruised to a 59-14 trouncing of Fresno. Down 20-0, Duke stormed back to beat North Carolina to improve to 5-0 in Manny Diaz’s first season.

Who woulda thunk it?

Meanwhile, on Saturday, Mark Stoops’ Kentucky Wildcats provided the most stunning upset of the day, downing Ole Miss in Oxford. Out West, Boise State running back and Heisman hopeful Ashton Jeanty continues his early season tear. His 259 yards against Washington State give him 845 on the season. He’s averaging an astonishing 10.3 yards a carry.

Enough already! It’s on to our rankings.

One last reminder: We do not consider any preseason polls or any past season results. What happened in the past is in the past. It’s who you’ve beaten and how you’ve beaten them!

Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams celebrates the go-ahead touchdown during the Crimson Tide's win over the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday. (Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) — Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams celebrates the go-ahead touchdown during the Crimson Tide’s win over the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday. (Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

1. Alabama Crimson Tide

This week: beat Georgia 41-34

Next week: at Vanderbilt

The Tide now own arguably own the country’s best win of the season. Kalen DeBoer’s team knocked around the Bulldogs for a 28-0 lead, got a record-breaking performance from their quarterback, Jalen Milroe, and survived in the end with a pair of incredible catches from two true freshmen. A win at Wisconsin already in the bag, Bama’s got a good enough resume to claim our top spot.

2. Tennessee Volunteers

This week: Bye

Next week: at Arkansas

The Vols got their quality wins against NC State and at Oklahoma — two convincing power conference victories — but they’ll be tested even more in Fayetteville, where the Hogs are feeling frisky after winning at Auburn. It’s a big game for the future of Arkansas coach Sam Pittman. Can Tennessee’s nasty defensive front slow OC Bobby Petrino’s attack with QB Taylen Green?

3. Penn State Nittany Lions

This week: beat Illinois 21-7

Next week: vs. UCLA

After Illinois scored on its first drive of the game, the Nittany Lions defense forced the Illini into four punts, a fumble, interception and missed field goal. They never mounted a drive longer than 50 yards after the opening score. PSU’s win at West Virginia to start the year and its smothering of a previously ranked and undefeated Illinois has them firmly in our rankings.

4. Texas Longhorns

This week: beat Mississippi State 35-13

Next week: Bye

No Quinn Ewers; no problem. Arch Manning started his second straight game and led the Longhorns to victory over a struggling Bulldogs team. Manning misfired on just five passes, threw for 324 yards and tossed two touchdowns. The Longhorns get a bye before their annual clash against Oklahoma in Dallas. That’s plenty of time for Ewers to regain enough strength for a return against the Sooners.

5. Miami Hurricanes

This week: beat Virginia Tech 38-34

Next week: Bye

Survive and advance! The Hurricanes stormed back to avoid what would be a devastating home loss to a Tech team that had already lost two games. And they needed a controversial replay overturn of what would have been a game-winning Hail Mary for the Hokies. Miami QB Cam Ward threw two interceptions and lost a fumble.

6. BYU Cougars

This week: beat Baylor 34-28

Next week: Bye

Some within the industry thought coach Kalani Sitake — in his ninth season — needed a strong year to cool his seat after going 5-7 in Year 1 in the Big 12 in 2023. Here the Cougars are, four games into the season, and without a loss. They led 21-0 against the Bears before hanging on for the win. Couple that with victories at SMU and against Kansas State and the Cougars have a pretty strong resume thus far.

7. Iowa State Cyclones

This week: beat Houston 20-0

Next week: vs. Baylor

The Cyclones aren’t splashy. They don’t have an all-world quarterback or truly incredible skill players. But, boy, do they have a defense. Through four games, Matt Campbell’s team has given up a grand total of 29 points. Their one-point win at Iowa looms as one of the best victories of the season so far. Speaking of Campbell, he became the school’s all-time wins leader with Win No. 57. Fifty-seven!

8. Oregon Ducks

This week: beat UCLA 34-13

Next week: vs. Michigan State

The Ducks haven’t necessarily played any top-10 juggernauts, but they have beaten one of the G5’s best (Boise State), dominated at UCLA on Saturday and whipped Oregon State two weeks ago. That’s enough to (barely) move them into the Top 10. The Ohio State game looms in two weeks.

9. Georgia Bulldogs

This week: lost to Alabama 41-34

Next week: vs. Auburn

The Bulldogs become the first team this year to make our rankings despite a loss. Remember, they’ve got a pair of quality victories away from home (at Kentucky, which knocked off Ole Miss on Saturday; and against Clemson in Atlanta). Losing at Alabama — our No. 1-ranked team — is understandable. And the Dawgs almost came back to win!

10. Missouri Tigers

This week: Bye

Next week: at Texas A&M

The Tigers are new to our rankings. While we understand they haven’t played the toughest schedule — or had the most convincing wins — they have beaten a pair of power conference programs in Vanderbilt and Boston College, each of whom have shown flashes of greatness this season.

Dropped out: Utah (4), Illinois (6), Washington State (9)

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Georgia

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

Published

1 hour 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

13 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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