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

Gov. Kemp signs amended FY 2026 budget, delivering $2B in Georgia tax relief

Published

6 hours 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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Middle Georgia DSA condemns U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran, calls escalation ‘illegal’

Published

18 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Middle Georgia DSA condemns U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran, calls escalation ‘illegal’

MACON, Ga. (WGXA) — Middle Georgia Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) has issued a statement regarding the U.S. and Israel’s joint strikes on Iran over the weekend.

According to other WGXA articles, based on reports as of early March 2026, the United States and Israel have launched major, coordinated military operations against Iran, labeled in reports as “Operation Epic Fury” and “Operation Midnight Hammer”. This follows months of failed nuclear negotiations and escalating regional tensions.

RELATED | Hegseth insists US-Israel strikes on Iran are ‘not Iraq, not endless’

WGXA asked Middle Georgia DSA, the largest activist organization in Middle Georgia, for their opinions on the strikes, and they responded with this:

The strikes on Iran, carried out by the United States and Israel, mark a catastrophic escalation in an illegal act of aggression. The Iranian people do not deserve to live in fear of American bombs and of the instability of regime change. Americans do not want our tax dollars and the lives of our people to be wasted on opening up a new war in the Middle East, or on bombing girls’ elementary schools. We want relief from the affordability crisis. We want peace. Middle Georgia DSA unequivocally condemns these attacks and any politicians who cannot do the same. We do not want this, we do not deserve this.

DSA added that they are not currently planning any protests at this time, and that they “remain focused on improving the conditions of people who live within our communities directly, and do not feel a protest is the best strategy to deliver on that.”

Middle Georgia DSA condemns U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran, calls escalation ‘illegal’, March 2, 2026 (Image is meant to say 2026 instead of 2025, Courtesy of GCSU Mutual Aid)

However, GCSU Mutual Aid, a grassroots, community-led initiative focused on collective care and resource sharing within the Milledgeville and broader Middle Georgia area. While not an official department of Georgia College & State University (GCSU), it frequently operates in coordination with student-led groups and local residents to address gaps in traditional social safety nets.

RELATED | GCSU encourages peaceful expression ahead of national ICE walkout

GCSU Mutual Aid is planning a protest for Wednesday, where they will be “Marching for Democracy” in retaliation to recent events in the U.S.

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Florida Continues Push to Beat Out Georgia for Top LB Recruit

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Florida Continues Push to Beat Out Georgia for Top LB Recruit

After a huge ratings boost in the updated Rivals300 rankings that now has Joakim Gouda as a top-30 prospect in the 2027 class, the Florida Gators remain in contention for the elite Georgia linebacker despite an apparent leader in his recruitment.

Gouda, once unranked by Rivals, is now the second-highest-rated linebacker in his class. He has seen multiple expert predictions to land with Kirby Smart and the in-state Georgia Bulldogs recently. However, the Gators have consistently been in the mix for the athletic backer under Jon Sumrall, with both schools making his top five, as well as Texas, Auburn and Alabama, and official visits scheduled to all remaining contenders.

Despite the smoke around Georgia, Florida will still have a strong shot at the 6-foot-2, 225-pound defender with plenty of time left before his decision is officially made.

“Florida is definitely still strongly in the race,” Gouda told Florida Gators on SI. “I’m just focused on building relationships and taking my time. I’m not rushing a commitment — I want to make the best decision for me and my future.”

Though the Gators offered Gouda only just over two months ago, Florida has wasted no time in aggressively pursuing the talented athlete, who is expected back on campus for a visit this spring on top of his scheduled official visit from June 4 to June 6. While still somewhat early in the building of a relationship, the new staff member has stood out.

“Florida sits in my top 5 because I really like the program and the energy around it right now. Even with a lot of competition, I believe in my ability to compete and contribute.” Gouda said. “I think I could fit in well with Sumrall and the new staff because I’m coachable, hardworking, and focused on team success. I like their energy and vision for the program, and that’s earned them a real chance in my recruitment.”

Florida’s chances will rely heavily on the next few months, however, as Gouda goes through his visits looking for the best program fit amongst multiple premier options. With a long way to go till signing day, the Gators will have plenty of time to prove to the elite prospect that they meet his criteria.

“From Florida, I’m looking for a staff that truly believes in me, a system where I can develop, and a culture that feels like family,” Gouda said. “A program will earn my commitment by showing consistency, developing players, and giving me the best opportunity to grow on and off the field.”

After making 100 tackles during junior season at South Pauling High School (Ga.), Gouda is expected to surge up recruiting rankings as he heads toward a decision next year. While becoming one of the largest risers in his class as of late, the four-star is not getting complacent.

“The attention on Rivals feels good because it shows people are noticing my work,” Gouda said. “…I think it’s just a result of staying consistent and improving every day, but I’m still keeping my head down and grinding.”

The Gators will likely be in it till the end for the potential future five-star Gouda, with Sumrall and staff looking to fight off Smart in his home state and land one of the more exciting prospects at his position in 2027.