Georgia

College Football Playoff rankings prediction: Will Georgia pass Ohio State for No. 1 spot?

Published

1 year ago

November 14, 2023

Press Room

College Football Playoff rankings prediction: Will Georgia pass Ohio State for No. 1 spot?

The third College Football Playoff rankings of the 2023 season will be defined by two debates inside the top four.

That starts at No. 1, with another comparison between Ohio State and Georgia. The Buckeyes’ offense was on a roll in a 38-6 laugher against Michigan State, cracking the 500-yard mark for the second time this season and the first time against Power Five competition. Georgia made an enormous statement with a 52-17 destruction of Mississippi.

While able to stay on top a week ago, Ohio State will be hurt by Penn State’s loss to Michigan, the Nittany Lions’ second on the season. The playoff selection committee has an obvious argument for swapping the Buckeyes and Bulldogs.

And then at No. 4, the playoff will again weigh Florida State and Washington in a comparison that “can’t get much closer,” committee chair Boo Corrigan said last week. Neither team looked dominant on Saturday − the Seminoles beat Miami 27-20 and the Huskies topped Utah 35-28 − but the committee will look kindly on the win against the Utes, who should stay in the rankings despite a third loss.

Here’s how this week’s top 10 should look:

1. Georgia (10-0)

Wins against Missouri and Mississippi the past two weeks give Georgia the résumé for No. 1. Isn’t that what the committee has been waiting for? There would’ve been an argument for keeping Ohio State at the top had the Bulldogs struggled with the Rebels, but not after a 35-point beatdown. Georgia is likely to stay at No. 1 with a win against Alabama in the SEC championship game.

2. Ohio State (10-0)

That OSU looked like a No. 1 team against Michigan State will give the committee something to think about. But the Penn State win has been slightly devalued, as has the non-conference victory against Notre Dame. A recent win against Wisconsin has also taken a hit after the Badgers dropped two in a row to Indiana and Northwestern.

CALM DOWN: Five biggest overreactions from Week 11

HIGHS AND LOWS: Week 11 college football winners and losers

3. Michigan (10-0)

Michigan bottled up Penn State and will be locked into the top three. While not enough to justify being moved ahead of OSU, the committee will love the way UM controlled the Nittany Lions with a powerful running game and suffocating defense. Once again, however, how the group views Jim Harbaugh’s suspension and the ongoing sign-stealing scandal is the biggest storyline heading into Tuesday night’s rankings. Could the committee even reward the Wolverines for winning on the road without Harbaugh? That may be a stretch.

4. Florida State (10-0)

Miami may have drifted toward mediocrity after a strong start but Saturday’s win was still Florida State’s seventh against a Power Five opponent with a non-losing record. This depth is something to keep in mind when comparing résumés between the Seminoles and Washington.

5. Washington (10-0)

Utah gives the Huskies three wins against ranked teams; one, against Oregon, has been viewed by the committee as the best win by any team this season. But there’s a lack of game control to consider: UW hasn’t won a game by more than 10 points since romping past California on Sept. 23. When taking into account the wishy-washy praise the committee has given the Huskies these past few weeks, the win against Utah might not be enough to warrant a leapfrog ahead of FSU.

6. Oregon (9-1)

Oregon didn’t blow the doors off Southern California but did manage to lock down a win against a Power Five bowl team. That’s just the Ducks’ second such win, with the chance to add a third from September’s non-conference victory against Texas Tech and a fourth in the rivalry game against Oregon State to end this month. That the résumé is a little flimsy shouldn’t be an issue this week and might not be an issue down the road given the committee’s obvious respect for the Ducks and the chance to add a marquee win against the Huskies in the Pac-12 championship game.

7. Texas (9-1)

With Quinn Ewers back under center, Texas seemed on the way to a blowout win against TCU before the Horned Frogs charged back in the second half, turning a 26-7 halftime score into a 29-26 final. That’s the second game in a row and the fourth in five games to be decided by a possession, and you begin to wonder if these close calls will eventually impact the committee’s view of the Longhorns. But then you remember that Texas beat Alabama on the road a few months back; that’s the type of result that lingers with the committee.

8. Alabama (9-1)

Alabama will remain hamstrung by that loss to Texas in September, though every week shows how far the Crimson Tide have come in the past two months. While the Longhorns were struggling to stave off the Horned Frogs’ upset efforts, the Tide scored 21 points in the first quarter and rolled to a 49-21 win against Kentucky. Still, while Alabama’s torrid run has definitely given the committee something to think about, the group would be very hesitant to ignore the head-to-head result.

9. Louisville (9-1)

There’s a mile or so of space separating Louisville from the top eight. The Cardinals land at No. 9 almost by default as the only other one-loss team in the Power Five, though they might climb toward the top four by capping the regular season with wins against Miami, Kentucky and FSU. Louisville could end November with eight wins against Power Five bowl teams, though, so it’s not like the postseason résumé would be bare for a team that has vastly exceeded expectations.

10. Missouri (8-2)

Oregon State was No. 12 in last week’s rankings and then creamed Stanford, but the Beavers’ overall body of work is lacking. OSU has two wins against teams currently with a winning record (Utah and Colorado) and four of the Beavers’ five conference wins have come against teams in the bottom half of the Pac-12 standings. Missouri will have two wins against teams in the playoff rankings after dismantling Tennessee along with what has become a nice non-conference victory against Memphis. That gives the Tigers the edge.

Source link

Click to comment

Georgia

Season stats for Notre Dame vs Georgia (or why the Irish should be favored)

Published

4 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Press Room

Season stats for Notre Dame vs Georgia (or why the Irish should be favored)

Whatever happened to the old fanshots section? I hadn’t really planned on writing a whole post, just providing a link to an article that summarized all of the reasons ND really should be considered the favorite in the Sugar Bowl. So here I am having to actually write out an entire post. Oh the life…

Georgia entered the season with all the pomp and circumstance you’d expect from a team fresh off two national championships in the last three years. Ranked #1 and everyone’s favorite pick to three-peat, they kicked things off in dominant fashion by dismantling a supposedly strong Clemson squad in Week 1. The “ESS-EEE-SEE! ESS-EEE-SEE!” chants were deafening. But then came Kentucky.

In a shocking turn, Georgia barely scraped by with a 13-12 win over the Wildcats. Yes, Kentucky. A game marred by an overturned Pick-6 that could have flipped the result and an offense that looked completely adrift, the Bulldogs survived more than they won. And it didn’t get better from there.

The following week in Tuscaloosa, the Dawgs looked shell-shocked from their near miss. Alabama, despite their own issues, came out swinging and stormed to a 28-0 lead before Georgia could even blink. While the Bulldogs managed to put points on the board later, the damage was done, and the Tide rolled on. Looking back now, with Alabama’s glaring flaws becoming more evident, that loss casts an even darker shadow over Georgia’s season.

Then there was the Ole Miss debacle and the marathon against Georgia Tech on Thanksgiving. Four overtimes to beat Georgia Tech is not the stuff of legends—it’s the stuff of memes (and this coming from a Jackets Alumn). These games solidified what was already becoming painfully clear: Georgia is not playing like an elite team this year.

All of this underscores a significant downturn for a program with sky-high expectations. The Bulldogs’ talent pipeline and championship pedigree might keep them competitive, but this season has revealed cracks in their armor. Whether it’s a temporary blip or the beginning of a larger issue remains to be seen, but for now, Georgia’s struggles serve as a reminder that even dynasties can wobble.

Of course, in true SEC fashion, rival fans will have their fun. (Yes, we see you, “Roll Toilets.”) But for Georgia, it’s back to the drawing board—and maybe a long, hard look in the mirror.

Now that I have my official word count, I can get to the link I meant to originally post:

Georgia vs ND Season Stats

I made a comment on a thread recently that the only reason Vegas has UGA as a 1.5 pt favorite right now is simply because of their name. If you look into any major stat, either simple or advanced ND comes out on top in just about every category. Here are a few that really will tell the tale IMO:

Yards per play

Notre Dame: No. 13 overall: 6.64 yards per play.
Georgia: No. 45 overall, No. 8 in the SEC: 6.11 yards per play

Total defense (yards allowed per game)

Notre Dame: No. 8 overall: 295.3 yards allowed
Georgia: No. 35 overall, No. 9 in the SEC: 336.5 yards allowed

Scoring offense

Notre Dame: No. 4 overall: 38.8 points per game
Georgia: No. 29 overall, No. 5 in the SEC: 33.2 points per game

Scoring defense

Notre Dame:No. 3 overall: 13.8 points allowed
Georgia: No. 21 overall, No. 7 in the SEC: 20.4 points allowed

Notre Dame holds clear advantages over Georgia in several key areas, making a strong case for their superiority this season. Offensively, Notre Dame outpaces Georgia by a considerable margin, both in production and efficiency. On defense, while the gap isn’t as pronounced, the Irish still hold a significant edge, with more consistency and impact across all phases.

What truly sets Notre Dame apart, however, is the sheer number and quality of their dynamic playmakers on both sides of the ball. Whether it’s explosive skill players on offense or disruptive defenders capable of flipping a game, the Irish roster appears deeper and more versatile. Meanwhile, Georgia is navigating a transition at quarterback with a sophomore at the helm—an undoubtedly talented player but one still finding his footing in the big moments.

It’s worth noting that advanced stats, which we know Hayden will dive into soon, may shed even more light on the nuances of these comparisons. For now, though, the eye test and baseline observations highlight a team in Notre Dame that feels more complete and prepared to execute at an elite level. Just some food for thought as we gear up for the deeper analysis.

Source link

Georgia

Should South Georgia be worried about potential impacts from the Bird Flu?

Published

14 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Should South Georgia be worried about potential impacts from the Bird Flu?

WALB is working to produce video for this story. In the meantime, we encourage you to watch our livestream.

ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) – According to the CDC, H5N1 or Bird Flu, is a virus that originates from wild birds. Both poultry and cows can contract this virus.

Through consumption of dairy products and interactions with infected animals, humans are also at risk for exposure.

“I think that people need to be appropriately concerned. And for most people, that’s going to mean taking precautions if they are engaging in any type of high-risk exposure. So, if they are a dairy or a poultry farm worker, absolutely they need to be taking precautions,” said Dr. Angela Rasmussen, a virologist from the University of Saskatchewan.

The CDC reports that there are 65 confirmed cases of bird flu in the US, so far none in Georgia. But many are at risk for exposure. Experts say those with backyard chickens should wear appropriate personal protective equipment when near those birds.

“When you think about all the various ways that Avian Influenza can spread, the biggest vector usually is wild birds migrating, bringing the disease into an area it wasn’t before. It’s really hard to control that interaction between domesticated birds and wild birds, especially when we want things like cage free eggs,” said Chad Hart, an Agricultural Economist at Iowa State University.

In November, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that over 6 million infected chickens were slaughtered in an attempt to contain the virus from spreading to humans, but recent trends in raw milk consumption have experts worried for those who prefer unpasteurized dairy products.

“I strongly advise people not to drink raw milk. This is not a good way to immunize yourself against H5N1, and it might be a very good way to infect yourself with a massive dose of H5N1 that could lead to severe or fatal disease, and especially in a child,” continued Rasmussen.

Experts say the spread of Bird Flu from one human to another is rare. It’s more likely for an individual to contract the virus through exposure or consumption of infected animals and their by-products. The University of Georgia is currently one of five institutions working with the Food and Drug Administration to test the country’s dairy supply for signs of H5N1.

Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook and X (Twitter). For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Source link

Georgia

Georgia Lottery Mega Millions, Cash 3 results for Dec. 24, 2024

Published

1 day ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

The Georgia Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 24, 2024, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from Dec. 24 drawing

11-14-38-45-46, Mega Ball: 03, Megaplier: 3

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 3 numbers from Dec. 24 drawing

Midday: 2-1-3

Evening: 7-9-7

Night: 3-4-6

Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 4 numbers from Dec. 24 drawing

Midday: 4-5-8-6

Evening: 4-7-0-7

Night: 4-7-9-2

Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash4Life numbers from Dec. 24 drawing

07-23-25-46-57, Cash Ball: 03

Check Cash4Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 24 drawing

Early Bird: 03

Matinee: 08

Drive Time: 04

Primetime: 05

Night Owl: 11

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Georgia FIVE numbers from Dec. 24 drawing

Midday: 2-8-4-4-7

Evening: 7-6-6-4-6

Check Georgia FIVE payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from Dec. 24 drawing

04-15-25-37-42

Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

Prizes under $601: Can be claimed at any Georgia Lottery retail location. ALL PRIZES can be claimed by mail to: Georgia Lottery Corporation, P.O. Box 56966, Atlanta, GA 30343.
Prizes over $600: Must be claimed at Georgia Lottery Headquarters or any Georgia Lottery district office or mailed to the Georgia Lottery for payment.

When are the Georgia Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
Cash 3 (Midday): 12:29 p.m. ET daily.
Cash 3 (Evening): 6:59 p.m. ET daily.
Cash 3 (Night): 11:34 p.m. ET daily.
Cash 4 (Midday): 12:29 p.m. ET daily.
Cash 4 (Evening): 6:59 p.m. ET daily.
Cash 4 (Night): 11:34 p.m. ET daily.
Cash 4 Life: 9:00 p.m. ET daily.
Cash Pop (Early Bird): 8:00 a.m. ET daily.
Cash Pop (Matinee): 1:00 p.m. ET daily.
Cash Pop (Drive Time): 5:00 p.m. ET daily.
Cash Pop (Primetime): 8:00 p.m. ET daily.
Cash Pop (Night Owl): 11:59 p.m. ET daily.
Georgia FIVE (Midday): 12:29 p.m. ET daily.
Georgia FIVE (Evening): 6:59 p.m. ET daily.
Fantasy 5: 11:34 p.m. ET daily.
Jumbo Bucks Lotto: 11:00 p.m. ET on Monday and Thursday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Georgia editor. You can send feedback using this form.

Source link