Tony’s Take | Falcons | CFB | Protect | Super 6 + 1 | Edition 114

By Tony Duckworth, [email protected]

Falcons.  I have been critical of the Dirty Birds.  Who can blame me?   

So much of future organizational success depends on the most important position in team sports: the Quarterback. From training camp to the first two games, the Falcons version of QB was a disaster.  Injuries, last year’s starter not wanting to buckle a chin strap until he was 100%, and abysmal performances. 

If ATL is going to be more than a 7- or 8-win team year in and year out, the organization has to solve this piece of the puzzle.  

When Penix got the nod heading into Thursday Night Football, I commented that, given he’s been out for about a year, no one should pass judgment until Penix has completed 4 starts.   

I posted the following on X after Penix’s stellar performance against the Packers: “Much respect for Penix’s return … he gave life to the @Atlanta Falcons seemingly lost season … “. Penix’s line in his return as starter was 18 for 25 | 256 yards | a touchdown | 101.4 passer rating.  Impressive! 

While I am not ready to crown the Falcons NFC South Champions, ATL fans have to be excited about the remainder of the season.  Penix was in control, but he will likely have bumps in the road.  Falcons fans enjoyed a well-designed and executed offensive game plan on TNF, and the team was well-prepared and played with purpose and a common goal in all three phases of the game.  This has not been the case during the past two head coaches’ tenures.   

While the Falcons upcoming four games include the Saints, Ravens, Bears, and 49ers, fans will be watching if this version of the Red and Black can continue what we observed against GB.  

CFB.  A month into the college football season, it shows the usual suspects are going to be playing in the CFP.  However, several teams in the SEC appear to have made significant strides since last season. 

If you ever wonder how important coaching is, look no further than Florida.  Jon Sumrall has the Gators chomping to be relevant again coming off pounding #4 Ole Miss in the Swamp. Look for the Gators to be 6 – 0 entering an unenviable stretch.  Back-to-back games against #1 Texas and #2 UGA will be the measuring stick for UF. 

How about the Bulldogs?  Not UGA.  Don’t look now, but Mississippi State is 4 – 0 following defeating #19 Mizzou.  The Starkvegas Dawgs will quickly fall to 4 – 2 after facing #7 BAMA and #11 LSU, but look for MS State to continue to win games throughout the remainder of the season and, at minimum, become bowl eligible.  Most forget Jeff Lebby was OC under Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss, so he has a blueprint for success.  

Pokes are relevant.  Oklahoma State finished 2025 16th in the Big 12.  They were 1 – 11 and 0 – 9 in league play.  First-year head coach Eric Morris led the Cowboys to a win over WVU on Saturday to end an 18-game, 1,036-day drought without a conference win.  In a state where the Sooners dominate sports talk, it is good to see OSU is back to relevance.  Go Pokes!  Pistols Firing! 

Protect.  The Protect College Sports Act passed the Senate and now waits for a vote in the House.   

National Sports Commentator for Fox Sports Tim Brando posted on X in favor of the legislation.  Brando feels college leadership does not have the juice to get things done on their own.  Perhaps, but here were my thoughts to Timmy B.   

“While there need to be changes, Congress is not the answer.  There will be unintended consequences.  History tells us now that Congress has its hands in it, they will continue to be involved, and that is not a positive.”  

@TimBrando: “Tony, honestly, there’s not a commissioner in the sport that believes they can assert their leadership capabilities without Congressional help. They are the ones living in this world, and I am yielding my observations to those guys that I trust know more than yours truly. The late changes to the bill that won over the @bigten and @SEC and that’s good enough for me.” 

“Timmy B, it is a fascinating time for sure.  It will be interesting to see how this all plays out.” 

Super 6 + 1.  #5 OH STATE @ #14 Iowa | #7 BAMA @ # 16 Miss State | #8 FL @ #25 Mizzou | Auburn @ #17 TENN | Pats @ BILLS | Jaguars @ BENGALS | Falcons @ SAINTS |  Record 15 – 6 

Tony Duckworth is a Macon native and President and CEO of the Albany Area YMCA. Tony worked in intercollegiate athletics for thirty-one years. He served as an NCAA Division II Director of Athletics at three universities after ten years as head men’s basketball coach at two colleges. eMail Tony Duckworth at [email protected].