Tony’s Take | ATL | Shot’s Fired | CFP 24 | Golden Parachute | Edition 105 

By Tony Duckworth, [email protected]

ATL. Following their 9-win June and putting up some of the worst offensive stats in MLB, the Braves have rebounded with a solid July.  The squad has found a way to win a number of one-run games to flip the script.  With four games remaining in the month, the Braves have 13 wins and have rebounded from the 2-game lead over the Phillies.   

With a 6-game lead as we approach August, and Acuna back in the lineup, the push towards another division title seems probable.  While the Braves are in conversation to make a big splash before the trade deadline, having Acuna back at the top of the lineup feels like a major pickup.   

Keep your eyes on the Braves front office, as I’m certain they will make a run at a top starting arm for the final push to October.  

Shot’s Fired.  BIG10 Commissioner Tony Pettiti is taking a page out of SEC’s Greg Sankey playbook during the league’s media days.  Tony is not shy about promoting his league as the best in CFP.  As he faced the media, Pettiti was flanked by the league’s three consecutive football national championship trophies.  To make Pettit’s supremacy case, he pointed out that the BIG10 has 11 wins by seven different teams in two years of the 12-team CFP.  The SEC has five wins in the same period.   

A few seasons ago, it would have been hard to imagine the SEC has not played in a national championship game for three consecutive seasons.  In head-to-head matchups, BIG has won four consecutive playoff games against the SEC.  Take a moment and re-read the two previous sentences. 

Former SEC (Arkansas) coach Bret Bielema, now leading Illinois, had the headline of BIG10 media days.  Bielema, known for being outspoken against SEC superiority, joked, “They (SEC) want to live in 2005 forever”.  Like it or not, that was a good line. 

As CFB fans anticipate the start of the season, media days provide a level of excitement as the momentum builds for toe meets leather.  The recent SEC media days were vanilla. Imagine a CFB world with no social media posts from Lane Kiffin. Sigh.  Some might argue the BIG10 has a lot to do with the humility, given the SEC has fallen behind the BIG10, or coaches realize taking a measured approach is the best way heading into the season. 

At the moment, the BIG10 is king of the hill, and the SEC will need to climb the mountain to regain national supremacy.  

CFP 24.  The SEC and BIG10 are also at odds with playoff expansion.  The BIG10 is on record saying the conference is willing to reduce the league schedule by one game to move to 24 teams. 

Notre Dame, the ACC and Big12 support playoff expansion.  

If the CFP is going to shift to 24 teams, a decision has to be made by December 1, 2026. Now or later, playoff expansion is inevitable due to the money that can be made.   

Golden Parachute.  Following months of speculation, Michigan and AD Warde Manuel have agreed to part ways. 

Michigan won a College Football Playoff (2024) and a March Madness men’s basketball (2026) national championship the past two seasons, but his tenure as AD has been under scrutiny for issues within his department.  Take the time to read the ESPN July 20 article on Manuel’s UM tenure.  It is remarkable the scandals that litter Manuel’s timeline while leading his alma mater.   

Michigan has agreed to buy out the final three years of Manuel’s contract for $7M, and he will step down on December 31.  Manuel can’t work or consult with any BIG10 university for two years, but he is free to be employed at any university outside the BIG10.  

Being a Michigan Man, coupled with the national championships several sports secured for Wolverine Nation, gave Manuel more rope than most.  Despite the high level of success, Manuel saw a professional death by 1000 cuts.  Every mistake can’t be placed at his feet, but clearly it is time for a culture change in the athletics department at Michigan. 

Follow Tony Duckworth on the X platform at @duckworthtonysr (formerly @tonyduckworthsr) or email him at [email protected]. Duckworth is a native of Macon and is the President and CEO of the Albany Area YMCA. Tony worked in intercollegiate athletics for thirty-one years. He was an NCAA Division II Director of Athletics at three universities, including Albany State, following ten years as a head men’s basketball coach at two colleges.