Georgia
Are Georgia football and Ohio State inevitable? Why you can’t ignore a few underdogs
Ohio State’s Gene Smith talks CFP, future of college football and more
Retiring Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith talks CFP, NIL, the future of college football and more in this April 18, 2024 press conference.
Either Georgia or Ohio State will be preseason No. 1. But just how heavily are those teams favored to win the national championship?
The SEC will be even more of a juggernaut than usual, following the arrival of Texas and Oklahoma. Georgia’s schedule will include games against Clemson, Texas, Alabama, Ole Miss and Tennessee. That’s a rugged road before the playoff arrives. Ohio State is loaded but will transition to a new starting quarterback.
On this edition of “SEC Football Unfiltered,” a podcast from the USA TODAY Network, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams consider this question: If you were predicting the national champion and could either take Georgia and Ohio State or the field, which would you choose?
It’s a tough question, because Georgia and Ohio State are deserving frontrunners, but navigating a 12-team playoff presents more potential pitfalls.
TOPPMEYER: Why 12-team College Football Playoff is blessing, curse for Tennessee, Florida, LSU
ADAMS: Looking for a college football dark horse? I’ve got one.
Here’s the analysis:
Toppmeyer: I’d take Georgia and Ohio State. Although I think as many as about 30 teams could be considered preseason playoff hopefuls, I only consider six to be serious national championship contenders: Georgia, Ohio State, Texas, Oregon, Ole Miss and Alabama. My top three champion picks would be Georgia, Texas and Ohio State. So, if you’re giving me two of those three, I’m taking that duo over the field. Georgia lacks an obvious weakness. Ohio State will have a new quarterback, but starter Will Howard previously played well for Kansas State. If the Buckeyes are hitting their stride behind Howard come postseason, they’re plenty loaded elsewhere. I’d feel more confident in this pick if I could have Georgia and Texas rather than Georgia and Ohio State, but as long as I’m getting Georgia and another top-tier team, I’m taking that over the field.
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Adams: Give me the field. Georgia is really good, and quarterback Carson Beck will be a Heisman Trophy contender. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bulldogs won a national championship. But, I don’t think this is Kirby Smart’s best squad, and there are other teams I like from the SEC, too, like Ole Miss and Texas. Ohio State doesn’t sweeten the pot enough. I don’t trust Ryan Day to navigate a 12-team playoff, and I’m made more skeptical of the Buckeyes because of the quarterback transition.
Later in the episode
– A look at John Calipari’s quest to build an NCAA Tournament roster in Year 1 at Arkansas. Calipari is considering an unusual strategy as he approaches this season.
Where to listen to SEC Football Unfiltered
Apple
Spotify
iHeart
Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s SEC Columnist. John Adams is the senior sports columnist for the Knoxville News Sentinel. Subscribe to the SEC Football Unfiltered podcast, and check out the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.
Georgia
Lambert rising freshman is second-youngest winner of Georgia Women’s Amateur
ATHENS — Kylie Chung of Cumming chased down two accomplished college players to become the second-youngest winner of the Georgia Women’s Amateur Championship on Wednesday. Not bad for a girl won won’t start high school until this fall.
Chung, 14, a soon-to-be freshman at Lambert High School, birdied the final three holes at Athens Country Club to shoot 5-under 67 to finish 6-under 210. She won by two shots over defending champion Ava Merrill of Johns Creek, who plays at Vanderbilt, and Mary Mille of Savannah, who plays at Ole Miss.
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Georgia
Prices climb as Georgia gas tax break ends
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — per gallon on regular gas and 37 cents per gallon on
For two months, Gov. Brian Kemp suspended the state gas tax, saving drivers 33 cents per gallon on regular gas and 37 cents per gallon on diesel. For the average driver who fills up twice a week, that adds up to more than $60 back in their pocket.
“I think it’s uncalled for. It’s very much uncalled for,” said Marie Okafia, a driver.
Looking for alternatives
The sharp spike in prices has some drivers looking for a different way to get to work. Rebecca Serna, executive director of Propel ATL, said riding a bike is a cost-cutting measure, and more people are already doing it.
“We’re seeing more bike lanes, more scoot lanes,” Serna said. “The cost of car ownership has gone up dramatically, but the cost of these other types of transportation have stayed relatively the same. So, it can really save families a lot of money.”
The city has added several miles of protected bike lanes in recent months, making the commute safer for anyone ready to ditch the pump. Propel ATL also noted the opening of the southeast and southside Beltline, connecting to those new bike lanes.
Impact on families
For Georgia families already stretched thin, the timing couldn’t be worse. The price increase affects not just what drivers pay at the gas station, but what they’ll give up somewhere else.
“We’re already grappling with high cost of food, and then we have to face this too. They both go hand-in-hand,” Okafia said.
Atlanta is bringing back its e-bike rebate program this fall. You can learn more about the program and the nonprofit Propel ATL here.
Copyright 2026 WANF. All rights reserved.
Georgia
5 things to know about Georgia mosquito problem amid heat, drought
How climate change is expanding mosquito populations in Georgia
Fight mosquitoes in Augusta—remove standing water, cover containers, fill tree holes, fix septic cracks.
Mosquito numbers are rising fast in Augusta as heat and drought linger. Here are 5 things to know — and how to protect yourself now.
1. Drought can actually boost mosquito populations
Dry conditions don’t eliminate mosquitoes. Instead, they concentrate standing water in storm drains and pipes, creating ideal breeding grounds where larvae can thrive.
2. Standing water in urban systems drives mosquito growth
Without regular rainfall to flush them out, storm drains and catch basins hold stagnant water — a prime habitat for mosquito development.
3. Georgia’s climate supports a wide range of species
From mountains to coast to the Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia’s diverse environments allow dozens of mosquito species to thrive, with many found across the Augusta area and surrounding communities.
4. Only a few species pose major health risks
Of the many species present, a smaller group is linked to disease concerns, including the Southern house mosquito and Asian tiger mosquito.
5. Warming temperatures are shifting mosquito ranges
Experts say species typically found farther south are moving north as the climate warms, expanding the types of mosquitoes seen in Georgia.
How to reduce mosquito breeding around your home
- Empty, scrub or discard items that collect water, like buckets or birdbaths
- Cover containers such as rain barrels and cisterns
- Use mesh covers where lids aren’t available
- Fill tree holes and repair septic cracks
- Cover vents and exposed pipes
Mosquitoes can lay eggs that remain dormant for months — even in dry conditions — and hatch once water returns, making prevention key heading into wetter periods.
Erica Van Buren is the climate change reporter for The Augusta Chronicle, part of the USA TODAY Network. Connect with her at EVanBuren@usatodayco.com or on X: @EricaVanBuren32.
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