The local media is just echoing what has been going on since Phil Steele said that they were a top 10 team. Brett McMurphy said that he had them at #9 in his AP too 25 ballot. Wilner had them at #6. In both the coaches and AP polls they are ranked higher than ever.
In a Today USA article, that came out yesterday, they are listed as one of the 6 CFP dark horse candidates.
With that kind of ongoing exposure, at the national level, it's not surprising that the subject comes up regularly, in the local media.