Georgia
Betting World Eyeing Massive Texas-Georgia, Rams-Seahawks Games
There’s no question that Texas-Georgia and Rams-Seahawks will be two of the most wagered upon sporting events this weekend in Las Vegas.
All four teams have marquee names at the quarterback position and three of the four squads have lived up to the preseason hype. And while Texas still has a chance to make the College Football Playoff, the Longhorns haven’t matched the summer billing of national title favorite.
One Vegas bookmaker has slid the Horns’ rating quite a bit.
“I’m down seven points since the opener,” Westgate SuperBook vice president of risk Ed Salmons told me from Las Vegas.
“Every time I watch Texas, I come to the same conclusion: When the offense plays well, the defense sucks, and when the defense plays well, the offense sucks. They are what they are at this point.”
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The SuperBook opened Georgia -6.
“I opened a little lower,” Salmons admitted. “People we respect have been betting these ‘dogs off bye weeks and Texas fits that trend this week. Then somebody we respect laid the points.
“Georgia really ran the ball like old-school Georgia last week for the first time in a long time. It’s a team I really didn’t like early, but the more I watch, the more impressed I am with the offense. The defense is the weakness.”
Yours truly is invested in the Horns at +6.5. It’s rare to get a team with that caliber of defensive speed catching almost a touchdown.
Less than 24 hours after Texas and Georgia kick, the Rams and Seahawks meet in a massive showdown with big-time divisional and conference implications. Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold are legit MVP candidates and both teams have stingy defenses and brilliant head coaches.
“I think these two teams are identical,” Salmons said.
“The spread should be 2.5, but it’s a little inflated because we’re expecting Rams money. The public is just enthralled with the Rams.”
Are people sleeping on Seattle?
“I really liked Seattle coming into the year,” Salmons said. “I think highly of [head coach Mike Macdonald]. He’s really prepared, and he knows what he’s doing. And for the first six or seven weeks, the Seahawks were playing without half their secondary and kept winning games.
“Darnold has played great, and their No. 1 receiver has just been phenomenal. I think they’re the real deal.”
It’s been a treat watching Darnold and Stafford sling touchdowns, though I’ll be the first one to admit, I didn’t envision Stafford sitting at 25 touchdowns with just two interceptions in mid-November. Especially not considering all the rumors about Stafford’s ailing back we heard all summer long.
“There was a lot of professional money in the summer on the Rams missing the playoffs and ‘Under’ on wins,” Salmons reported. “Respected guys believed in the Stafford back rumors. That was a real thing.
“He doesn’t get hit a lot. We haven’t seen that yet.”
Finally, I saw a segment on “First Things First” this week in which the hosts debated which team at the top of the AFC standings could be trusted in the playoffs — the Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos or New England Patriots.
I think the answer is none of ‘em. Just wait ‘til we get the No. 5 seed Buffalo Bills and No. 7 seed Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship.
“It wouldn’t be surprising at all,” Salmons cracked.
“When Kansas City beats Denver this week, they’re gonna run a bunch of wins off. Look at their schedule. Denver is so beat up coming into this game, too. And it’s Andy Reid off the bye. We all know what’s gonna happen.”
Sam Panayotovich is a sports betting analyst for FOX Sports and the BetMGM Network. He previously worked for WGN Radio, NBC Sports and VSiN. Watch him on FOX Sports’ Bear Bets and follow him on X @spshoot.
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Georgia
Georgia lawmaker proposes renaming Sawnee Mountain for Trump
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – A Georgia lawmaker is proposing a new name for Sawnee Mountain in Forsyth County — “Trump Mountain.”
(Forsyth County Parks and Rec)
What we know:
According to a post on social media, Rep. David Clark of Buford introduced a resolution to rename the mountain after President Donald Trump.
Clark called Trump “one of the most transformative Presidents in the nation’s history.” Sawnee Mountain is currently named after a celebrated Native American chief.
(Joyce Lupiani/FOX 5 Atlanta )
Clark is running to become Georgia’s next lieutenant governor.
Rep. David Clark joins growing race for Georgia lieutenant governor
Georgia
Weekend snow possible in parts of North Georgia
ATLANTA – While the workweek remains quiet, far eastern North Georgia and the Carolinas are bracing for a potential winter weather blast this weekend.
Chance for snow in Georgia
What they’re saying:
FOX 5 Meteorologist Jonathan Stacey says that while uncertainty remains, the ingredients for a Saturday snow event are beginning to align.
The primary window for impact is early Saturday morning through early Sunday. High-pressure conditions are expected to keep things clear through Friday, but a shifting weather pattern could open the skies just as temperatures plummet well below freezing.
By Sunday, models suggest the system will push offshore into the Atlantic, likely clearing the way for a sunny but cold end to the weekend.
Forecast could change
What they’re saying:
Current forecasting models are in “good agreement” regarding the timing of the front, though they differ slightly on how much moisture will reach the Atlanta metro area.
The European Model: Suggests the bulk of the snow will fall on the eastern side of the Appalachian Mountains in the Carolinas. The big question for North Georgia is whether that moisture will cross the state line to impact eastern communities.
The American (GFS) Model: Offers a more conservative outlook, keeping the “lion’s share” of accumulation in the Carolinas and leaving Georgia with only meager flurries in the easternmost counties and higher elevations.
Georgia snow accumulation
What they’re saying:
With temperatures expected to stay below freezing all day Saturday and Sunday, meteorologists have to account for snow ratios. Typically, warmer snow (near 32°F) is heavy and wet. However, in deep cold, snow becomes “fluffier” and stacks higher.
For example, the same amount of liquid that produces one inch of slushy snow at freezing might produce two inches of dry, powdery snow at 28°F.
While an expansion into metro Atlanta is possible, it is not yet considered likely. Current probabilities favor Northeast Georgia and the Lake Country:
- Athens 40%
- Blairsville 40%
- Gainesville 30%
- Eatonton 30%
- Atlanta 20%
- Canton 20%
- Dalton 20%
- Ellijay 20%
- Rome 10%
- Carrollton 10%
- LaGrange 10%
- Griffin 10%
Sun after weekend
What’s next:
Looking toward next week, there is a silver lining. By Groundhog Day, the sunshine is expected to return. Regardless of whether the groundhog sees his shadow, a gradual warmup is likely to follow the weekend deep freeze.
The Source: This is a FOX 5 original report with all information coming from the FOX 5 Storm Team.
Georgia
Georgia football projected defensive depth chart, starters for 2026 season
ATHENS – With the transfer portal closed and the NFL draft deadline past, we know what Georgia’s roster next season will look like.
The Bulldogs had 15 players depart the program via the transfer portal, while four players declared early for the NFL draft. Seniors such as Daylen Everette, Oscar Delp and Brett Thorson will all move on to the NFL.
With so much turnover, it can be hard to know how things stand with the Georgia roster.
But after the frenzy of early January, we now know that the Bulldogs will have one of the most talented rosters in the sport.
As the offensive depth chart below shows, the Bulldogs bring back plenty of key contributors. There are some holes that need to be filled, specifically in the secondary, but Georgia has a number of promising players eager to step up.
Georgia football 2026 depth chart, defense
Defensive tackle
- Elijah Griffin (Soph.), Xzavier McLeod (Jr.)
- Jordan Hall (Jr.),
- Nasir Johnson (R-Soph.), Carter Luckie (Fr.), Preston Carey (Fr.)
Nose tackle
- Jordan Hall (Jr.), Xzavier McLeod
- Nnamdi Ogboko (R-Fr.)
- Valdin Sone (Fr.)
Defensive end
- Gabe Harris (Sr.), Amaris Williams (Jr.)
- Joseph Jonah-Ajonye (R-Soph.), JJ Hanne (Soph.)
- Justin Greene (R-Soph.),
- AJ Lonon (Fr.), PJ Dean (Fr.)
Analysis: Much like the wide receiver position on the offensive side of the ball, don’t focus too much on who lines up where. Georgia is going to move guys around on the front. For a group that was super young this past season, Georgia brings back plenty of experience while also having a lot of upside. It could easily be the best defensive line Georgia has had since the 2021 Georgia team. With how Griffin finished this past season, he could very well be one of the best players in the country with further development.
Outside linebacker:
- Quintavius Johnson (Jr.)
- Isaiah Gibson (R-Fr.), Chase Linton (R-Fr.), Darren Ikinnagbon (Soph.)
- Khamari Brooks (Fr.)
Analysis: Harris will help here and Johnson really played well to close the 2025 season. It will be very interesting to see how Gibson, Linton and Ikinnagbon develop this offseason, as the Bulldogs will lean on them to help a pass rush that was among the worst in the SEC.
Inside linebacker:
Mac:
- Justin Williams (Jr.)
- AJ Kruah (R-Fr.)
- Nick Abrams (Fr.)
Money:
- Raylen Wilson (Sr.), Chris Cole (Jr.)
- Zayden Walker (Soph.)
- Elijah Littlejon (Fr.), Terrence Penick (Fr.)
Analysis: Even losing a likely first-round pick in CJ Allen, Georgia is simply loaded at this position. Cole and Wilson will see the field plenty, while Williams figures to soak up a lot of Allen’s former snaps. With how much talent Glenn Schumann has at the position, it will very interesting to see how Georgia gets Walker on the field. He’s a clear talent, as his performance against Texas and Alabama showed.
Cornerback:
Right cornerback:
- Ellis Robinson (R-Soph.)
- Braylon Conley (R-Soph.)
- Justice Fitzpatrick (Fr.)
Left cornerback:
- Demello Jones (Jr.), Gentry Williams (Sr.)
- Jontae Gilbert (R-Fr.), Caden Harris (Fr.)
Analysis: Robinson’s emergence as one of the best cornerbacks in football helps solve the departure of Daylen Everette. Georgia went into the transfer portal to add Williams and it will be interesting to see how he and Jones split reps in the secondary. Georgia likes the 2026 signees it got in Harris and Fitzpatrick, though the latter enters Georgia having suffered a significant knee injury at the end of his high school career.
Free Safety:
- KJ Bolden (Soph.)
- Jaylan Morgan (R-Fr.), Jordan Smith (Fr.)
Strong Safety:
- Kyron Jones (Jr.),
- Zion Branch (Sr.), Ja’Marley Riddle (Jr.)
- Todd Robinson (R-Fr.),
- Blake Stewart (Fr.)
Star:
- Rasean Dinkins (Soph.), Khalil Barnes (Sr.)
- Tyriq Green (Fr.), Zech Fort (Fr.)
Analysis: Like at cornerback, Georgia dipped into the transfer portal to add reinforcements. Riddle is more likely to help at the safety spot, while Barnes could very well help at the star position. Jones is worth watching, given how much time he missed in the second half of the season due to injury. Georgia really likes Dinkins and don’t be surprised if one of the four freshmen safeties finds a way to make an impact for the Bulldogs.
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