Georgia

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

Published

1 year 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’s coastal waters to close for oyster harvesting

Published

5 hours ago

May 28, 2025

Press Room

Georgia’s coastal waters to close for oyster harvesting

Oysters are off the menu this summer in Georgia as the state temporarily shuts down saltwater harvesting to protect public health from heat-boosted bacteria.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will close the state’s salt waters to commercial and recreational oyster harvesting for human consumption effective 6 a.m. Sunday, June 1, 2025. The closure extends through midnight on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, and applies to all salt waters from the Georgia-South Carolina state line to the Georgia-Florida border.

The seasonal closure is enacted annually to protect public health during the warmer months, when the risk of shellfish-related illnesses—particularly those caused by the naturally occurring bacterium Vibrio parahaemolyticus—is elevated due to rising water temperatures.

The closure follows the requirements of Georgia law (O.C.G.A. §§ 27-4-195 and 27-4-197(a)) and supports compliance with federal guidelines established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference. These guidelines recommend implementing Vibrio control measures, including seasonal harvest closures, when average water temperatures exceed 81 degrees Fahrenheit.

An administrative order signed by DNR Commissioner Walter Rabon further cites recent scientific studies showing that the commercial quality of intertidal oyster meats declines significantly during the summer months.

This closure does not apply to subtidal mariculture oyster farms operated by certified Master Harvesters who have received explicit permission from the DNR. These operations must comply with stringent harvest, handling, and cold-chain management requirements outlined in Georgia’s recently implemented Vibrio control plan and shellfish mariculture regulations.

Oyster harvesting in Georgia will reopen at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025, when cooler temperatures improve both product safety and quality. For more information, contact the Coastal Resources Division at 912-264-7218.

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Georgia

Georgia Power proposal may freezes base rates — but could still raise bills

Published

22 hours ago

May 27, 2025

Press Room

Georgia Power proposal may freezes base rates — but could still raise bills

The agreement lets Georgia Power charge customers later for storm damage — without public hearings.
Georgia Power has increased its customer rates three times in the last six years.
Watch the video to hear from neighbors about the impact storm damage hikes does to their income.

BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:

Georgia Power says it won’t raise your base rates for three years, but a proposed deal with state regulators could still mean higher bills.

Under a proposed agreement announced Monday, Georgia Power would skip its usual rate case this summer — and lock in base rates through 2027.

Spokesman Jacob Hawkins says the company is working to “balance the affordability needs of our customers while ensuring Georgia Power remains equipped to continue its support of our state’s incredible growth.”

But consumer advocates like the Southern Environmental Group warn that the deal lets Georgia Power charge customers later for storm damage — with no public hearing.

That’s a big concern in Valdosta, where nearly a third of families live in poverty and where some customers saw bills double after Helene.

“It’s been going up a lot like during the hurricane. You know you still have a balance because you have to pay for the service for having the service, so it makes it go up.”

Pamela Frazier’s monthly charges jumped from under $60 to over $130 — despite little change in her usage. She relies on Georgia Power’s prepaid app to keep afloat, but rising rates won’t help her catch up.

“For myself, paying has been a job — especially without having a job,” said Frazier. “So it’s been kind of hard. But when you got help, it’s OK. It’s a little help.”

Georgia Power has increased its customer rates three times in the last six years.

The Public Service Commission has until July 1 to approve or reject the deal.

In Valdosta, I’m Malia Thomas, reporting for ABC27.

Want to see more local news? Visit the WTXL ABC 27 Website.

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Georgia

Georgia law enforcement keep busy on Memorial Day holiday weekend

Published

2 days ago

May 27, 2025

Press Room

Georgia law enforcement keep busy on Memorial Day holiday weekend

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Law enforcement served up safety this Memorial Day weekend, from the waters to the roads.

“Safety first, we try to be as safe as possible,” said Shafer Harrington, who visited Lake Allatoona over the Memorial Day weekend.

The Georgia Department of Public Safety said they have seen a “noticeable increase” in driving under the influence (DUI) arrests and distracted driving violations. The department counted 11 car travel related deaths as of Monday evening, including the three young rising adults with ties to Metro Atlanta and who went to Stillman College in Alabama.

Officials said the single-car fatal crash happened Saturday on I-75 Southbound in Clayton County near the exit ramp for Tara Boulevard.

3 from Alabama college with ties to metro Atlanta killed in crash

Officials said their preliminary investigation indicates that the vehicle veered out of its lane and went into a nearby ditch. Shortly after the crash, the vehicle became fully engulfed in flames, said officials.

Officials said the occupants of the vehicle were unable to escape and died at the scene.

At Lake Allatoona, the Department of Natural Resources arrested a man for boating under the influence, or BUI. The DNR says the man returned to Harbor Town Marina following strong thunderstorms, struck the dock and another vessel.

According to the DNR, The officers interviewed the man and determined that he was under the influence. The DNR said officers arrested the man for BUI and transported him to the Cherokee County Jail.

“It can be frightening, it can be frightening,” said Eric Coleman, who has been coming to Allatoona for the past two decades.

“A lot of them don’t know the seriousness of handling the boat and drinking,” added Coleman.

Coleman said he has been coming to Allatoona to teach the community about water safety, especially during holidays and high occupancy at the lake.

Coleman said he has a boating group with friends, called Over The Top Motor Sports, who have water vessels to allow people to use one of the many jet skis or boats.

Coleman said they have one very important rule for people using the water equipment, “they know that when they start drinking they are done with the water, they are not on the water at all anymore,” said Coleman.

The DNR said they have had four BUI arrest so far this year, at Lake Allatoona. That statistic is not sitting well for some lake goers.

“It sucks, it sucks honestly. They are drunk and doing thing when they shouldn’t be doing it, I wish it gets better,” said Hailly Alameida, who visited Lake Allatoona for the holiday weekend.

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