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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Atlanta. Written by Emma Hurt, Kristal Dixon and Thomas Wheatley.

Axios Atlanta Thought Bubble

Axios Atlanta

Georgia is the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff and two wins away from a second straight national title.

State of play: The Bulldogs have a New Year’s Eve date with fourth-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. Game time is set for 8pm at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Why it matters: The college football season gets real now. Beat the Buckeyes, and the Bulldogs will move on to the national championship game. Lose, and a dominant year would abruptly end.

Catch up fast: Georgia capped off a spotless 13-0 season with a 50-30 win over LSU in the SEC championship on Saturday. 

The Bulldogs had some games where they looked vulnerable — a four-point win against Missouri and a 10-point win against Kentucky — but never fell.

What's next: A rejuvenated Ohio State team. The Buckeyes lost their last game of the season by 22 points against Michigan — a loss that sent them reeling and had many people thinking their season was done. 

But the team ranked ahead of them, USC, lost on a wild championship Saturday, giving OSU a new life.

My thought bubble: In September, when Axios Atlanta previewed UGA's season, I had a little thought bubble. It read, in part, "...This season will belong to The Ohio State University. Go Bucks! OH!"

Now the two teams will face off with a chance for a trip to the championship.

And I'm doubling down. When Ohio State wins this one, hopefully you can hear me whispering "I told you so."

No. 1 Georgia has a New Year's Eve date with Ohio State

Semifinal playoff game is set for Dec. 31 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium

confetti falls around the Georgia Bulldogs as they hold up the SEC championship trophy

The Georgia Bulldogs celebrate their SEC Championship Saturday. Photo: Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images

College Football Playoff

Georgia is the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff and two wins away from a second straight national title.State of play: The Bulldogs have a New Year’s Eve date with fourth-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. Game time is set for 8pm at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Sports

Chicago

Axios Chicago

The Falcons host the Chicago Bears this weekend for what should be an exciting matchup between two proud and scrappy cities with middling football teams.

And so, Axios Chicago's Justin Kaufmann volunteered to give some menu suggestions if you're hosting any Bears fans on Sunday.

🥬 Spinach and artichoke dip: We love our dip. French onion, ranch, queso, seven-layer. But the spinach and artichoke dip is a Chicago classic. It's spinach, artichokes and several kinds of cheese, baked to perfection. Serve with tortilla chips. It's healthy!

🥩 Crockpot Italian beef: There's nothing better than a pile of seasoned beef simmering for hours. Time it for kickoff, and make sure you top it with giardiniera.

🍫 Dessert: Portillo's has a chocolate cake shake. There are recipes online on how to copy. The secret? Mayonnaise.

Justin’s thought bubble: "Bears fans have circled this game on the calendar because former GM Ryan Pace is now with the Falcons. We'd like nothing more than to get a win over the guy who drafted Mitch Trubisky."

Here are our recommendations for ATL-friendly hor d'oeuvres to Justin.

Eat Their Lunch: Chicago Bears

Here's what to make if you're hosting Bears fans for their game against the Falcons this weekend.

A Chicago Bears football player looks to his right while running with the ball and his teammates block for him

"Stop that quarterback Justin Fields! He's got a Pepsi!" Photo: Brian Cassella via Getty Images

National Football League (NFL)

The Falcons host the Chicago Bears this weekend for what should be an exciting matchup between two proud and scrappy cities with middling football teams.<ul><li>And so, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios Chicago&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago" data-vars-content-id="8e4c7085-0501-4d9a-a791-e9f7e2726bcf" data-vars-headline="Eat Their Lunch: Chicago Bears" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago" target="_self">Axios Chicago&#x27;s</a> Justin Kaufmann volunteered to give some menu suggestions if you&#x27;re hosting any Bears fans on Sunday.</li></ul>

Food and Drink

FX's and Donald Glover's hit show "Atlanta" returns Thursday for its fourth and final season. 

State of play: Since it premiered in 2016, the show has deftly represented the city it's named for. 

Over the first three seasons we've seen a Michael Vick cameo, a creepy story about Lake Lanier, an episode set in Helen and an uncomfortable fraternity scene at Georgia Southern University. 

Yes, but: Season three took viewers on a detour through Europe with plenty of commentary on the racial happenings in America. 

Go deeper: The top moments of "Atlanta's" third season

Ross' thought bubble: I hope Atlanta's final run returns to its roots. Season three was unique (and important) but it missed the feeling that I was watching a show filmed in my hometown. 

Bring back the episodes that featured easter eggs around the city like Mrs. Winner's, J.R. Crickets and tales about Florida man. 

Considering the trailer opens with the waterboys, it looks like we are headed that way.

1 fun thing: It's been fun seeing members of the cast hold down some roles in major movies since Atlanta premiered. 

Zazie Beetz and Bryan Tyree Henry each played in "Joker" and "Bullet Train." 

And Laketih Stanfield has starred in several films, including "Judas and the Black Messiah," which led to an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

How to watch: The first two episodes of season four premiere Thursday on FX at 10pm. 

"Atlanta" returns home for one more season

The fourth and final season begins Sept. 15.

A photo of Donald Glover wearing a colorful shirt in a store in the TV show Atlanta

Cable television

FX&#x27;s and Donald Glover&#x27;s hit show &quot;Atlanta&quot; returns Thursday for its fourth and final season. State of play: Since it premiered in 2016, the show has deftly represented the city it&#x27;s named for.

News

The Atlanta Hawks won their season opener last night vs. the Houston Rockets 117-107.

State of play: It was easy to have mixed emotions after watching the game.

A win is a win. And there are no guarantees through an 82-game NBA season. So starting off 1-0 is fantastic. 

New Hawks guard Dejounte Murray finished with 20 points and 11 assists. 

And John Collins carried the Hawks in the second quarter.

Yes, but: Atlanta goes as Trae Young does. He had 23 points and 13 assists but made just seven of his 22 shots. His efficiency has to improve as the year goes on. 

Also, this game felt a lot closer than it should have been. Houston projects to be among the bottom teams in the league and the Hawks seemed to struggle at times to really put the game away. 

The big picture: Atlanta starts the season with three consecutive home games — all versus teams they should beat. 

It's not unrealistic to expect them to start 5-0 — something they haven't done in seven years since they won seven straight to begin the season in 2015-16.

1 fun thing to go: The stars were out last night. 

TV cameras spotted NBA legend Dr. J; rap artists Quavo, Lil Yachty and 2 Chainz and actors Michael B. Jordan and Jonathan Majors. 

What's next: The Hawks face the Orlando Magic on Friday at 7:30pm.

Hawks start season with win against Houston Rockets

Trae Young, John Collins and team start 2022-23 with three games at home

TrTrae Young and Dejounte Murray talk to each other on the court during a Hawks game

Caption: Trae Young (left) and Dejounte Murray react during the second half against the Houston Rockets. Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

National Basketball Association (NBA)

The Atlanta Hawks won their season opener last night vs. the Houston Rockets 117-107.State of play: It was easy to have mixed emotions after watching the game.

The city of Atlanta and the music industry spent the first day of November trying to come to grips with the loss of one of its own.

What happened: Kirshnik Ball, better known as Takeoff and part of the rap trio Migos, was shot and killed early Tuesday in Houston. He was 28.

A Houston police spokesperson tells Axios a call for a shooting at 1199 San Jacinto St. came in at 2:40 a.m. The caller reported hearing gunshots and seeing people running.

Details: Migos — a family group made up of Takeoff, Quavo and Offset — got its start in 2008 in Lawrenceville.

The three were raised together. Quavo is Takeoff's uncle and Offset is his cousin.  

Takeoff attended Berkmar High School in Gwinnett County. 

What they're saying: Fans and celebrities were quick to condemn the shooting and remember the late rapper. 

Hawks guard Trae Young simply tweeted "No f–king way." Takeoff was often spotted courtside at Hawks games and other NBA events alongside Quavo. 

Bernice King tweeted her condolences: "I mourn that such frivolous violence has ended your life."

The Falcons also paid tribute, sharing a picture and saying "Takeoff’s legacy lives on in Atlanta and across the world."

The backdrop: Atlanta music journalist Jewel Wicker described Takeoff as the quietest of the Migos, but the group's rap backbone.  

"He was not Cardi B's husband and not as popular in terms of fame as Quavo, but very much the heart and soul of the Migos," Wicker said.

She interviewed Quavo this summer and said he credited Takeoff with getting him involved in rapping. He also described his nephew as the better rapper of the trio.

Rap game influence: You probably have heard a Migos song or verse from Takeoff if you've been anywhere near a radio over the last decade, even if you think you haven't.

The group's first major hit came in September 2013 with "Versace." The song has since racked up more than 38.6 million views on YouTube and 26.5 million plays on Spotify.

Other hits include "Stir Fry," "Walk It Talk It," and "Fight Night." Takeoff released his lone solo album "The Last Rocket" in 2018.

Their triplet style and cadence has also been copied by artists like Drake and J Cole. 

Viral moments: Outside of the music, Takeoff's most viral moments came via a few internet memes. 

Migos appeared on James Corden's "Carpool Karaoke." After Corden pulled out a slide whistle, Takeoff's blank face turned into a Twitter staple. 

Migos rap group members Takeoff and Offset

Migos rappers Offset (left) and Takeoff (right) became a viral meme after their 2018 appearance on James Corden's "Carpool Karaoke."

Another came during the 2017 BET Awards. Amid an interview with DJ Akademiks, an apparent communication issue led to Takeoff repeatedly asking, "Do it look like I'm left off Bad and Boujee?" before the interview ended abruptly.

What's next: After Takeoff's death, fans, music lovers and Atlantans are left to wonder what the future has in store for Quavo and Offset. Rumors spread this summer about a split as Takeoff and Quavo looked to move forward as a duo. 

The two released a new song together yesterday titled "Messy."

Wicker said she's sure there is unreleased music that we will get to hear — but there are few guarantees beyond that. 

My thought bubble: After a while, the phrases "gone too soon" or "rest in peace" feel like hollow expressions when a life is cut short due to senseless violence. 

I'm the same age as Takeoff, and we both have deep Atlanta ties. My window into his  world was through his music. I never met the man, but I do know his life was valued and he should still be here. 

It's always startling when you see someone die who's the same age as you. Sometimes 28 feels old, but then you remember just how much life you have left to live. This is also a reminder to treat everyone with kindness and let the people in your life know you love them. 

Editor's note: This story has been updated to include details from Houston police. 

Atlanta mourns death of Takeoff, the "heart and soul" of Migos

Takeoff performs onstage during Day 1 of the 2022 ONE MusicFest at Central Park. Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images

The city of Atlanta and the music industry spent the first day of November trying to come to grips with the loss of one of its own.What happened: Kirshnik Ball, better known as Takeoff and part of the rap trio Migos, was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shot and killed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/11/01/takeoff-migos-dead-shooting-houston" data-vars-content-id="b616e14b-d689-4dac-90bf-539ed9232b9c" data-vars-headline="Atlanta mourns death of Takeoff, the &quot;heart and soul&quot; of Migos" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/11/01/takeoff-migos-dead-shooting-houston" target="_self">shot and killed</a> early Tuesday in Houston. He was 28.

Ross Terrell

Featured stories

No. 1 Georgia has a New Year's Eve date with Ohio State

Eat Their Lunch: Chicago Bears

Atlanta mourns death of Takeoff, the "heart and soul" of Migos

Hawks start season with win against Houston Rockets

"Atlanta" returns home for one more season