TONY’S TAKE | SEC REPORT CARDS | 3 #1’S FALL | KUDOS | CFB + NFL PICKS

SEC. Teams in the conference where “It Just Means More” have completed 3 to 5 conference games following the Third Saturday in October (if you know – you know).

Last Saturday did not disappoint fans of this football-crazed conference. #5 UGA went to Austin and manhandled #1 Texas 30 – 15. I predicted this game as the only regular season loss the Longhorns would have during the regular season only to switch my pick for last week’s column. Mistake. However, I believe TX will head to the SEC championship with one loss.

The post-game on-field interview had Kirby’s passion on full display. There is a lot of SEC football ahead, but UGA and TX may be on a collision course for the championship game, and don’t forget they may cross paths in the CFB playoff. For now, UGA has removed doubts that the program has slipped.

When I resided in Alabama and Oklahoma, I observed the passionate fan bases daily. The passion will be on sports radio this week following #15 Bama losing to #7 Tennessee 24 – 17, and the 35 – 9 dominant win by South Carolina on the road in Oklahoma. For those looking ahead, OU has #15 Alabama, #8 LSU, #21 Mizzou, and #18 Ole Miss. The Tide are the Sooners only remaining home SEC game. Welcome to the SEC.

MID-SEASON REPORT CARD. Team performance grades will be based on pre-season expectations (media + Tony), SEC games played, and current SEC record. I’m certain some fan(atic)s will take exception.

TX A&M 4 – 0. The Aggies have a huge home contest against LSU this weekend, and winners of six in a row ~ A

LSU 3 – 0. The Tigers have hit their stride following their opening game loss to USC ~ A

UGA 4 – 1. The Dawgs 1st half versus Bama and uninspiring win against the other Bulldogs gives them a B despite the win over TX

TENN 3 – 1. The Vols offense has been inconsistent ~ B

MIZZOU 2 – 1. The beat down by TX A&M leads to a C

TX 2 – 1. UGA … enough said ~ B

VANDY 2 – 1. The team everyone pulls for unless they are playing your team … the lone SEC loss was in OT at Mizzou ~ A

BAMA 2 – 2. Everyone is curious how the Tide will respond against Mizzou given their playoff hopes are on the line ~ C

ARK 2 – 2. B

FL 2 – 2. The Gators are showing life ~ B

SCar 2 – 3. B

Ole Miss 1 – 2. The Rebels are playing below expectations but have time to recover ~ C

OK 1 – 3. This Sooners team will continue to struggle ~ D

UK 1 – 4. The win over Ole Miss gives credibility, but … ~ C

Auburn 0 – 4. Close but no cigar ~ D

MS State 0 – 4. Everyone saw this coming ~ C

BAD DAY TO BE #1. UGA downs #1 Texas. #2 N Dakota hosted FCS #1 S Dakota and ND won the game 13 – 9. This was hardly an upset given these two programs have won 11 of the last 13 FCS national championships. Defending D-II national champion Harding came into the contest 6 – 0 with three shutouts outscoring their opponents 366 to 13. Harding faced their across-the-street rivals in Arkadelphia, AR as #9 Ouachita Baptist knocked off #1 17 – 13.

KUDOS. Westover has quietly put together an outstanding season. WHS is looking to secure their 8th win versus rival Dougherty. GIAA #2 Sherwood Christian looks to improve to 7 – 0 against Grace in 8-man action.

SUPER 6 + 1. | FL @ #2 UGA | #12 NOTRE DAME @ Navy | #21 Mizzou @ #15 BAMA | #8 LSU @ #14 TX A&M | GA TECH @ VA TECH | Falcons @ BUCS | PACKERS @ Jaguars | BOLD = Winner | RECORD 34 – 15

Tony Duckworth is a native of Macon and currently resides in Albany. Tony worked in intercollegiate athletics for thirty-one years. Between 2007 – 2023 he was an NCAA Division II Director of Athletics at three different universities, including Albany State, following ten years as a head men’s basketball coach at two colleges. Follow Tony on the X platform at @tonyduckworthsr.