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Today’s edition · Wed., Nov. 4

Georgia opens at No. 2 in the CFP rankings; Cobb leans yes on SPLOST

Plus, DeKalb sets its certification vote and Georgia Tech opens the Scott Cross era with a win.

The 5AM Atlanta team2 stories14 sources5 min read

SportsTop story

Georgia lands at No. 2 in the first College Football Playoff rankings of 2026

Georgia landed second, behind only Miami

The College Football Playoff committee's first 2026 rankings

2ndof 25

Georgia
Miami 1stUtah 3rdIndiana 4th
Miami 1stUtah 3rdIndiana 4th
1 Top teamLast ranked 25

Sources: The Red & Black, ajc, Atlanta News First, 247Sports

View as table
PlaceRank of 25
Miami1st
Georgia2nd
Utah3rd
Indiana4th

If you watched Georgia beat Florida 27-8 in Atlanta on Halloween, the committee noticed. The Bulldogs landed at No. 2 in the first rankings of 2026 on Tuesday, with only undefeated Miami ahead of them. Utah is No. 3, and defending champion Indiana is No. 4.

USC's 30-18 upset of Ohio State helped Georgia's case. The Buckeyes are now No. 12, and the Gators slid in at No. 24.

  • Only loss: 27-24 to Auburn on Oct. 17
  • Next game: at No. 10 Ole Miss
  • Polls: No. 2 in both the AP and Coaches
  • Final rankings: Dec. 6

Georgia's stretch includes Ole Miss, Missouri and South Carolina, all ranked

OpponentRanking
Ole MissNo. 10
MissouriNo. 18
South CarolinaNo. 21

Sources: The Red & Black, ajc

The Bulldogs are 7-1 overall and 5-1 in the SEC. The Rebels ended Georgia's season in last year's playoff, and Missouri and South Carolina follow.

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Asked

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Election

Cobb voters lean yes on renewing the 1% SPLOST, with results still unofficial

If you voted in Cobb on Tuesday, the big question was whether to renew the 1% sales tax known as . As of 11 p.m., a majority of voters were in favor. The tax is estimated to bring in $1.15 billion over its six-year life.

$1.15 billionestimated over the SPLOST's six-year life

A majority of Cobb voters were in favor as of 11 p.m. Tuesday.

Sources: Marietta Daily Journal, FOX 5 Atlanta

County officials plan to direct the money toward transportation, water and stormwater, public safety, parks, facilities and technology. The funding would be split across Cobb and its seven municipalities.

  • District 3 commissioner: Birrell (R, incumbent) vs. Redmon (D)
  • Board of Education Post 4: Chastain (R, incumbent) vs. Garza (D)
  • : vote on full redevelopment powers
  • Soil and Water: Whitfield, Loyd (incumbent) and Wigington for two seats

The SPLOST renewal by the numbers

1%
sales tax up for renewal
6
years the tax is projected to collect
7
municipalities that would share the money with Cobb

Sources: Marietta Daily Journal, FOX 5 Atlanta

The returns we have cover only the SPLOST. Election workers were set to keep posting updated numbers through the night until every precinct reported.

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News Notes

Fulton

Fulton County's election board held a special meeting before polls closed Tuesday night to address scanner issues affecting roughly 1,000 early votes at two precincts. 11Alive.com

DeKalb

DeKalb's election night results are preliminary, unofficial and incomplete, and they're posted on the county's election results webpage. The Board of Registration and Elections holds a pre-certification meeting Fri., Nov. 6, at noon and votes on certification Mon., Nov. 9, at noon, both at 4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 300. On Common Ground News

Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech opened the Scott Cross era with a 75-55 win over Hampton at McCamish Pavilion. The Jackets grabbed 19 offensive rebounds and held Hampton to 28% shooting, but they had 18 turnovers and made only 4 of 28 3-pointers. Cross, in his first year, is working with an almost entirely new roster after an ACC-worst finish. The Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionCBS Sports

Georgia Tech beat Hampton by 20 in its opener

  • Hampton55
    Georgia Tech75
    FinalGeorgia Tech's first game under coach Scott Cross

Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Home

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Asked

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Asked

Which weekend plan sounds best to you?

Be the first to answer.

Today’s puzzles

A new puzzle in each one every morning, played right here.

All 13 games

Quoted

You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.

— Jack London

The Buy

Around Georgia

Chatham

Ninety minutes after polls closed, Chatham County's count began at the Elections Board headquarters. Forty temporary election workers checked in boxes from the county's 88 precincts. The Current

88precincts in Chatham County's Tuesday count

Counting began 90 minutes after polls closed, and 40 temporary workers checked in the boxes.

Source: The Current

Prep football

Appling County is the unanimous new No. 1 in Class 3A in the AJC Varsity Composite rankings after beating former No. 1 Toombs County 11-7. Thomas County Central (6A), Sandy Creek (4A) and Heard County (2A) are also unanimous No. 1s. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Things to Do

Things to Do

Atlanta, GA

Wednesday, Nov. 4

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Jobs

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Around the Block

Around the Block

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Neighbors

Ok sad to say I’m going through it it’s just a hard time in my life , but going through it and looking like your going through it is the worse feeling.

“Is there any females who can just come do my hair for free , girl to girl if u understand wea I’m coming from it doesn’t have to be weave or anything I just need someone to make me frl pretty again I’m so down right now 🤦🏼‍♀️”

— A neighbor, Glenrose Heights

24 likes · 10 comments

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The Wrap

If you grew up on the "I SPY!" books, photographer Walter Wick, the eye behind them, has a hidden-wonders show at the High Museum of Art, billed as the largest survey to date of his photographs. It's up for a limited time, and Thursday, Nov. 5 is open for looking. Plenty of things to spot.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Kirby Smart says SEC players are practicing less but getting hurt more

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Every source in this edition14 links · 12 outlets
  1. The Weather Channelweather.com
  2. The Atlanta Journal-Constitutionajc.com
  3. The Red & Blackredandblack.com
  4. Atlanta News Firstatlantanewsfirst.com
  5. 247Sports247sports.com
  6. Marietta Daily Journalmdjonline.com
  7. FOX 5 Atlantafox5atlanta.com
  8. 11Alive.com11alive.com
  9. On Common Ground Newsocgnews.com
  10. The Atlanta Journal-Constitutionajc.com
  11. CBS Sportscbssports.com
  12. The Currentthecurrentga.org
  13. The Atlanta Journal-Constitutionajc.com
  14. Atlanta events calendar5amatlantaga.com

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  1. Tues., Nov. 3Kirby Smart says SEC players are practicing less but getting hurt more
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5AM Atlantato me · Wed., Nov. 46:00 a.m.

Georgia opens at No. 2 in the CFP rankings; Cobb leans yes on SPLOST

Plus, DeKalb sets its certification vote and Georgia Tech opens the Scott Cross era with a win.

The TLDR

  1. Georgia opens at No. 2 in the first CFP rankings
  2. Cobb voters lean yes on renewing the 1% SPLOST
  3. Fulton addresses scanner issues hitting about 1,000 early votes
Read this edition

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From 5AM Atlanta’s other editions

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DawgsKirby Smart says SEC players are practicing less but getting hurt moreGeorgia answered the Auburn upset in a big way. The No. 3 Bulldogs beat Florida 27-8 on Saturday in Atlanta, and every SEC team now has at least one loss.Tuesday’s editionRead

Around Atlanta

From Cobb Courier, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and 5 more newsrooms, gathered by 6AM News, 6AM City’s local news service.

More local news

  1. Cobb Courier2 hours ago

    Cobb Chamber and Cobb Community Foundation to host child care tax credit seminar for employers

    The Cobb Chamber and Cobb Community Foundation will host a Nov. 16 seminar on state and federal child care tax credits for employers.

  2. Cobb Courier2 hours ago

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    The following road and lane closures, which are currently active as of Wednesday, Nov. 4, are listed on the Cobb County DOT web page

  3. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution3 hours ago

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    The CFP Selection Committee released its first set of rankings in an order that indicates strength of schedule could have more pull than won-loss records in some cases.

  4. On Common Ground News3 hours ago

    DeKalb County VRE announces unofficial General Election results, certification dates

    DECATUR, GA — DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections (DeKalb VRE) announced that preliminary, unofficial and incomplete results for the General Election held Tuesday, Nov. 3, are available on the election results webpage. Election night results are preliminary and subject to change as elections staff continue processing and verifying eligible ballots, reconciling records and completing post-election review.

  5. Cobb Courier3 hours ago

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    Take our Cobb County geography quiz and try five questions about local waterways, trails and landmarks, including the Concord Covered Bridge

  6. The Covington News4 hours ago

    Bottoms claims place in history as first Black woman elected to govern state

    ATLANTA — Georgia voters made history Tuesday, electing for the first time in 238 years of statehood a woman — and a Black person — as governor. In January, when

    Also reported byThe Atlanta VoiceMajic ATLSecret Atlanta