Ole Miss vs. Georgia prediction: Beat writers pick Sugar Bowl winner

TheSugar Bowlis an all-SECmatchup asOle MissandGeorgiameet in aCollege Football Playoffquarterfinal tonight.

The two teams met Oct. 18, a 43-35 Bulldogs win. Gunner Stockton completed 26-of-31 passes for 289 yards and four touchdowns and Georgia (12-1) held Ole Miss to 88 rushing yards.

Ole Miss (12-1) cruised in its CFP first round game against Tulane, another rematch. Pete Golding's debut was nearly perfect. Can he engineer an upset in New Orleans?

Writers fromClarion LedgerandAthens Banner-Herald, both part of USA TODAY Co., provided their predictions for Thursday night's CFP quarterfinal matchup. The winner advances to the Fiesta Bowl for a semifinal showdown with either Ohio State or Miami.

Best of bowl season: Mascots, trophies, celebrations, Gatorade baths

Ole Miss vs Georgia prediction

∎Georgia 34, Ole Miss 21:Kirby Smart's 4-0 record in rematches is not something to dismiss. The matchups are largely the same and the teams that played 10 weeks and 5 days ago have grown. Georgia, in particular, is a much better team defensively. Ole Miss gave the Bulldogs all they could handle until the fourth quarter of the first game in a 43-35 Georgia win.

Georgia seems about as locked in as can be given player movement is about to crank up with the transfer portal opening next month. A good chunk of the Ole Miss coaching staff is pulling double duty for their new jobs at LSU, but will turn attention to this game after Christmas. The Bulldogs were on a heater when they hit the playoff bye. Expect them to pick up where they left off with the defense raising its game considerably since the first matchup.— Marc Weiszer, Athens Banner-Herald

∎Georgia 28, Ole Miss 27: The Rebels dominated Tulane in the first round of the CFP, but the Bulldogs represent Ole Miss' first significant test the post-Lane Kiffin era. Georgia is coming off a 28-7 win against Alabama in the SEC championship and is playing well enough late in the season to win.— Sam Hutchens, Clarion Ledger

∎Georgia 28, Ole Miss 23: In the Oct. 18 game, Ole Miss was the better team for three quarters, but gotoutscored 17-0 in the fourth. Georgia's pass defense is the weakest part of its defensive game, giving up 205.3 yards per game. It's one of the few major defensive statistics in which the Bulldogs aren't ranked in the top 15 nationally.

Conversely, Ole Miss is third in the FBS with 312.4 passing yards per game. Chambliss has been the team's breakout star. He threw for 262 yards and a touchdown in the first matchup and rushed for two more scores. Another big game from him could be all it takes for Ole Miss to have a chance.

Beating a team twice in one season is difficult, but Georgia has found ways to win all season. It has gotten only stronger since the first meeting.—Tia Reed, Clarion Ledger

When is Ole Miss vs Georgia today in Sugar Bowl?

• When: 8 p.m., Thursday, Jan .1

• Where: New Orleans

What TV channel is Ole Miss vs Georgia today in Sugar Bowl

• TV: ESPN

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Ole Miss vs Georgia prediction: Writers pick Sugar Bowl CFP quarterfinal

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

January 01, 2026

Ole Miss vs. Georgia prediction: Beat writers pick Sugar Bowl winner

TheSugar Bowlis an all-SECmatchup asOle MissandGeorgiameet in aCollege Football Playoffquarterfinal tonight. The...

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Viral '6-7' tops 2025 list of overused words and phrases

Respondents to an annual Michigan college survey of overused and misused words and phrases say "6-7" is "cooked" and should come to a massive full-stop heading into the new year.

Those are among the top 10 words on the 50th annual "Banished Words List," released Thursday by Lake Superior State University. The tongue-in-cheek roundup of overused slang started in 1976 as a New Year's Eve party idea, and is affectionately called the list of "Queen's English for Mis-use, Over-use and General Uselessness."

Around 1,400 submissions came from all 50 states and a number of countries outside the U.S., including Uzbekistan, Brazil and Japan, according to Lake Superior State.

Also in the top 10 are "demure," "incentivize," "perfect," "gift/gifted," "my bad" and "reach out." "My bad" and "reach out" also made the list decades ago — in 1998 and 1994, respectively.

"The list definitely represents the fad and vernacular trends of the younger generation," said David Travis, Lake Superior State University president. "Social media allows a greater opportunity to misunderstand or misuse words. We're using terms that are shared through texting, primarily, or through posting with no body language or tone context. It's very easy to misunderstand these words."

Few phrases in 2025befuddled parents, teachers and others over the age of, say 40, more than "6-7." Dictionary.com even picked it as their2025 word of the year, while other dictionaries chosewords like "slop"and "rage bait."

But what does "6-7" actually mean? It exploded over the summer, especially among Gen Z, and is considered by many to be nonsensical in meaning — an inside joke driven by social media.

"Don't worry, because we're all still trying to figure out exactly what it means," the dictionary's editors wrote.

Each number can be spoken aloud as "six, seven." They even can be combined as the number 67; atcollege basketball games, some fans explode when a team reaches that point total.

The placement of "6-7" at the top of the banished list puts it in good company. In 2019, thecenturies-old Latin phrase "quid pro quo"was the top requested phrase to ban from popular use. In 2017, "fake news" got the most votes.

Alana Bobbitt, a 19-year-old sophomore at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, is unapologetic about using "6-7."

"I find joy in it," Bobbitt said. "It's a little bit silly, and even though I don't understand what it means, it's fun to use."

Jalen Brezzell says a small group of his friends use "6-7" and that it comes up a couple of times each week. But he won't utter it.

"Never. I don't really get the joke," said Brezzell, a 19-year-old sophomore at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. "I don't see what's funny about it."

But banning it, even in jest, might be a bit of a stretch, he said, adding that he does use other words and phrases on the list.

"I've always used the word 'cooked,'" Brezzell said. "I just think it got popular on the internet over this past year. It's saying, like, 'give it up, it's over.'"

Some of the phrases do have longevity, Travis said.

"I don't think they'll ever go away, like 'at the end of the day,'" he said. "I used 'my bad' today. I feel comfortable using it. I started using it when I was young. A lot of us older people are still using it."

Travis said that while some terms on the list "will stick around in perpetuity," others will be fleeting.

"I think '6-7,' next year, will be gone," he said.

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

January 01, 2026

Viral '6-7' tops 2025 list of overused words and phrases

Respondents to an annual Michigan college survey of overused and misused words and phrases say "6-7" is "c...

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The 8 Coolest Hair Trends You'll See in 2026

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

Ready to make a big hair change in the new year? Or maybe you just want to do something subtle, but current? Either way, the biggest 2026hair trendsare here to guide you. We tapped top hairstylists and colorists to share their predictions for what will be most in-demand, from the haircuts celebs like Sabrina Carpenter and Tyla are already wearing to the sure-to-go-viral hair colors. Find your next big look ahead.

Architectural Layer Cut

Celebrity hairstylistRodrigo Padillasays "a clean silhouette with internal lightness and sculpted movement," like the look above on Suki Waterhouse, will be big this year, adding that "the outline stays polished while the internal layers create subtle air and softness."

Liquid Contour Bob

The latest take on the perennially popular bob is a "one-length or micro-graduated bob finished with a liquid reflective surface that contours the jawline and elevates facial structure," says Padilla. "It reads modern and powerful without noise." Tyla was in on the trend early, as seen in the photo above.

Deep Brunette Color

Padilla refers to these as "museum tones," which are "rich tonal brunettes like espresso, cacao, and inky black with soft diffused light." (See: Dakota Johnson's deep hue.) Celebrity hairstylistStephanie Angeloneagrees that darker hues are having a moment, "specifically the rich chocolate browns." Part of the reason, she suggests, is hair health. "Highlights and bleach can be damaging over time, going brunette is giving women a break from the harsh chemicals and leaving their hair rich and shiny. It's also less maintenance for those who aren't a natural blond."

Glaze SuperGloss Color Conditioning Hair Gloss - Brunette Sleek Espresso Brown - 6.4 fl oz

$17.99 at target.com

Cool Brunette Shampoo

$28.00 at ulta.com

Color Fanatic Top Coat + Tone Hair Gloss

$36.00 at sephora.com

Sculpted Ponytail

The classic high pony, like Kerry Washington's here, is seeing a resurgence. "A sleek, lifted ponytail with a perfectly secured base and a single intentional detail, such as a ribbon fold or a minimalist cuff, is refined, intentional, and incredibly photogenic," says Padilla.

Teasing Brush

$50.00 at nordstrom.com

Marble Dome Pony Cuff

$88.00 at leletny.com

A-List Collection Instant Fix Styling Stick

$12.99 at target.com

Headscarves

"Headscarves are replacing the typical headband," says Angelone. "I love that they're versatile and can be worn in many styles to frame the face." She notes that the accessories were spotted all over Copenhagen Fashion Week this past fall, so we'll likely see them continue to pop up on runways and beyond.

Printed Twill Scarf

$320.00 at miumiu.com

Medium Silk Bandana

$59.50 at madewell.com

Crochet Head Piece

$24.00 at rpzl.com

Butterfly Cut

Sabrina Carpenter's signature haircut is requested "more and more," according to Angelone. And she's A-OK with the trend continuing on for another year: "I love this cut, as adding layers and curtain bangs escalates any hairstyle, length, or texture."

Curtain Bangs

While blunt bangs can be hit or miss, curtain bangs like Chloe Fineman's are more forgiving, saysJoseph Maine, celebrity stylist and founder of Trademark Beauty. "The curtain bang can be cut in a way that grows out really nicely and can be created with a very small section in the hairline, giving the haircut some added style," he says. "Most face shapes can handle curtain bangs as they are a soft style."

Hot Rod Styling Brush

$49.00 at shoptrademarkbeauty.com

Creaseless Hair Clips

$10.00 at ulta.com

Self-Holding Rollers

$8.79 at target.com

Color-Melting

Single-process, whomst?Multidimensional colorallows hues "to evolve without being one exact shade," says celebrity coloristRita Hazan. "Jessica Simpson is a perfect example, as I just recently made her hot chocolate brunette—deepening her traditional blonde and adding in darker hues," she says.

Rita Hazanis a celebrity colorist and founder ofRita Hazanin New York City.Rodrigo Padillais a senior stylist atJenna Perry Hair Studioin New York City.Joseph Maineis a celebrity hair stylist and co-founder ofTrademark Beauty.Stephanie Angeloneis a celebrity stylist atRPZLHair Extension & Blowout Bar in New York City.

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byCristiano Ronaldo

in

January 01, 2026

The 8 Coolest Hair Trends You'll See in 2026

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Ready to make a big hair change i...

Read More