BNE Pick 'Em: Week 13 - This Time It's Personal!

The final week of the season is upon us. This weekend, champions will be crowned, bowl games will send out their final invites, and we will know for sure who will be playing in the BCS national championship. 13 weeks of football has come down to this final weekend of games to determine who lives to play again in December and January.

Week 13 of the Pick 'Em proved to be just as big a turning point for the pecking order as the games themselves. Most everyone had the PIT game wrong, in addition to Boise State, NC State, Vandy, USC, Cal, Florida and Syracuse. Last week was by far the worst week for actual picks and only those who risked the least made the best score. The final shake-up heading into Championship Weekend is below:

FSU knows all about this...

 Week 13 top 5:

1. Streit's Picks
2. allyugadawg
3. Dutch
4. Dawgsman81
5. Bubba

Our overall leaders:

1. Silver Britches with 2829 points and a 208-90 record
2. WarriorDawg with 2819 points also going 208-90
3. Our resident lady-fan, allyugadawg with an even 2800 and 212-86 record
4. Streit's Picks with 2785 points and a 214-84 record, the best win/loss record overall
5. AUMav's Picks accumulating 2771 points and a 210-88 record

This week's Bottom Feeder of the Week  is sponsored by Atlanta's favorite criminal defense website, www.absolutely-not-guilty.com, "The Law Office That Doesn't Take 'Guilty' for an Answer". I am ashamed to say, but I am the BFotW this week. After my dismal week of picks, I probably need to contact the law office of Head Thomas Web & Willis, LLC and plea insanity. What was I thinking?!

Now there is a question! What was the NCAA thinking this week? As all now know, Cam Newton was deemed innocent, had no knowledge of the pay-for-play scandal at Mississippi State and has been deemed eligible to play. While I am happy to know Auburn's undefeated season will remain intact, I am now very worried at the precedence set by this decision. The NCAA has essentially removed any player from consequence in any future similar situation simply by claiming ignorance. I'm sure Cam did not have any knowledge of his corrupt preacher-father Cecil's back-door dealings, but I bet a visit to our BFotW sponsor, www.absolutely-not-guilty.com, might have helped his chances during this investigation if their services were used. I'm sure we'll be hearing about the ramifications next season and in future scandals, but for now, I'm happy that Cam's name has been cleared, he is now eligible to tackle SUC in Atlanta, and hopefully will hoist the Heisman in New York.

Week 14 of picks are due soon, so make sure to tell all your friends to finish strong. The Fighting Zooks take on Fresno State and should be able to eek one out. Take the Wolfpack over Miami (OH) and the Fighting Wanstedts over the Bearcats. In the Civil War, I fully expect the Ducks to punch their ticket to Glendale. The Apple Cup should see the Cougars fall to the purple warriors of Washington State. Connecticut vs. USF is a toss up, but take Conn to take the Bulls. VaTech will finish their season with a win over FSU to take the ACC. Look for Nebraska to go out on top as the leave for the Big 10-11-12 with a win over the Sooners. USC will beat UCLA in a squeaker. Finally, look for another close win in the second half for Auburn as they stop Lattimore and Jeffery for the SEC Championship and their second shot at the national title.

 Check back next week for the final regular season standings and an update for the Bowl Pick 'Em. Good luck!!

3rd Annual BnE Pick 'Em: Week 10

Folks, I'm back after a bye week, so let's recap where we stand after week 10 heading into the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry:

1. Bubba with 277 points and 18-8
2. Silver Britches with a respectable 260 and a 16-10 record
3. Fresh Catch Shuffle just 1 point behind and 17-9
4. AUMav's Picks with 255 points going 18-8
5. Dawgsman81 with 255 and 18-8 points but just missing on the tie breaker

Overall:

1. Silver Britches with 2185 points and a 162-67 record taking the lead
2. AUMav's Picks with 2181 points and a 163-66 record
3. WarriorDawg making the most of his points going 160-69 but managing 2168 points
4. allyugadawg keeoing it real for the ladies racking up 2151 points with a 165-64
5. BLACKOUT going 164-65 with 2132 points

Since most everyone did fairly well this week, BnE's Pick 'Em will recognize the scourge of the sports media world this week as our Bottom Feeder of the Week. As many of you now have heard, there have been several allegations leveled at Cam Newton. Everything from alleged cheating at Florida, to his pay-for-play scandal involving Kenny Rogers at Mississippi State, the sports news media have jumped on this bandwagon faster than a Florida fan lining up for a sale on jean shorts down at the Family Dollar. ESPN, Fox News, Sports Illustrated, etc. all have reported on the sources, speaking anonymously since they do not have permission to speak, and their allegations against Cam. Yet despite all the allegations, Cam remains eligible to play. Let's remember one thing: in this country, a person is innocent until proven guilty.

Now, it can all come back and all the allegations can be true. But the timing, ferocity and intensity at which these allegations keep coming out have lead the fans and sports haters alike to view it all as a bit of a comical spectacle. Not since Bill Clinton have sports fan taken to lampooning the allegations. Seriously, its as if the old Chuck Norris facts have morphed into the never-ending Allegations of Cam Newton. Here are a few of my favorites courtesy of FOP and some of my Auburn friends' posts:

• Cam Newton dines and dashes at charity dinner events
• Cam Newton was on the infamous grassy knoll in Dallas
• Cam Newton gave Jessie Spano those caffeine pills
• Cam Newton fired the rocket out of the Pacific. It was headed to your mom's house.
• Cam Newton is funneling money to Somali Pirates
• Cam Newton did in fact let the dogs out
• Cam Newton didn't wash his hands in the bathroom causing the Cholera outbreak in Haiti

My favorite however comes from www.chadgibbs.com . He photo shopped an entire espn.com homepage to show the following:

Anyway, I find all this a tragic comedy. As much as I can laugh at all this, its still sad how the media has jumped on this just weeks after praising the turn around and the athletic ability of this young man. Let's not forget, Cam has done tremendous things at Auburn as a young man in just one year on the Plains. I look forward to seeing him in action again this Saturday in Auburn as he takes on the Dawgs. With Cam at the helm, I have a good feeling I'll be seeing my Tigers in Atlanta.

As for the rest of the weekend's games, let's see what else we have to look forward to...

• Miami at Georgia Tech: Miami has proven to be the SUC of the ACC. Actually, the whole ACC has proven to be more neurotic in their play than SUC. Its a crap shoot but take Buzz
• Utah at Notre Dame: Utes. Next!
• Texas Tech at OU: If you think there might be another upset, think again. OU is at home and plays well in Normam. Take the Sooners over Tubs
• OK State at Texas: Goose is dead...You gotta let him go. Seriously, the season is over for Texas and I cant see how the Horns pull it off against the Cowboys. Something is wrong in the state of Texas.
• Oregon at Cal: LaMichael James could be in jail in Thailand and Oregon would still have enough speed to run. Don't pass on the Duck!
• SUC at the Swamp: This is going to be an interesting match up but I have a feeling fate is still smiling on the Visor of the Old Ball Coach. Look for the defense of SUC to put enough pressure on Demps and Rainey to give Lattimore time to run the ball when the O is on the field. SUC wins a close one to secure a ticket to Atlanta.
• A&M at Baylor: Toss a coin, its a game between two Texas teams.
• Mississippi State at Bama: Dan Mullen has put together a very good team in Starkville. If you're a betting man, go out on a limb and pick the other Bulldogs

That's it for now. BulldawgJosh, our old friend BFR, and myself will be loading up and heading to Auburn on Saturday. If anyone else is headed down, leave me a message and you're always welcome at the tailgate.

WAR CAM EAGLE!!

An Animal is Most Dangerous When Cornered and Wounded

Going into this season, I had my doubts on what I would see at this point in the year. From all the projections, prognosticators and predictions, Alabama would still be #1 and undefeated in the SEC West and LSU would be challenging Bama for the title. Auburn would be managing a respectable season with a new quarterback and questionable defense and the SEC East would be a three-way race with Florida, UGA and SUC, while the rest of the division made due on scraps. At the beginning of August, it looked like it would be another typical season in the SEC with the same players fighting their way to the top.

WRONG

Through the end of week 10, Auburn sits atop the the conference and SEC West, with Bama having lost to LSU, while the rest of the West now all bowl eligible. In the East however, things are a wreck. SUC is top dog with a 4-3/6-3 record tied with Florida, UGA is 3-4/5-5, and Vandy 1-5/2-7. Only SUC & Florida are bowl eligible with their showdown next week to determine the SEC East winner. Despite the East's dismal record, they've proven  they're able to make an upset when the opportunity presents itself: SUC upset Bama, UK upset SUC, and Tennessee technically should have upset LSU. With all the talk of the Iron Bowl and a possible National Title run, the game that worries me most at the moment is coming in two weeks. With UGA's 3 game win streak ended in Jacksonville, and this weekend's win putting the team at .500, the likelihood of missing a bowl game becoming more real in Athens, the Dawgs are a cornered and wounded animal, and there is nothing more dangerous in the wild.

Let's take a look at what's at stake next weekend now the Tigers and Dawgs have beat their respective FCS opponents. For Georgia, the biggest piece of the pie is the 'W' making the team bowl eligible for a possible berth in the Birmingham Bowl or the Music City Bowl. With the season the way it has been, Streit is right, its a 'Lose, lose' situation overall. Winning at Auburn and becoming bowl eligible will help ease the sting of a mediocre season for the Dawgs knowing they have a New Year's game on the horizon heading into the game with Tech. The added bonus will be beating a top-ranked Auburn team for a 5th consecutive year, and giving the team a signature win. A loss on the Plains will all but seal the fate of the Dawgs for the season, and send Georgia home to Athens to face Buzz in a last-ditch effort to become bowl eligible and finish what would be arguably be the worst season under Richt. UGA has everything to gain and nothing to lose.

Auburn will come into this meeting ranked #2 in the country, 10-0 and 1st in the SEC overall. The Tigers lead this series all time 53-52-8. However, we have lost the past 4 meetings to the Dawgs, and a 5th will even the win column for UGA. But the bigger issue is what the loss will do to the Tiger's hopes of a shot at the SEC Championship and a potential National Title game appearance. Should the Tigers lose, we will have one week to recover, not just in preparation for the Iron Bowl with a two-loss Bama, but also in the polls. The voters are already overlooking this game, and losing to UGA would be viewed as a loss to a much weaker opponent, which would most likely send Auburn out of the top 5 or even top 10. Even if Auburn were to beat a ranked Bama at that point, we'd still lose out on reaching the title game to a Oregon, Boise or TCU who would leap frog us during our bye week.

I'm not looking past UGA. Despite the play of the Dawgs so far this season, they've shown absolute flashes of brilliance. AJ Green's first game back showed their is potential for the offense as long as the play makers are given the chance to work their magic, something forgotten in the Florida game. AJ is 3rd on the team for receiving yards, but 1st for receiving touchdowns. Simply put, if he is in the end zone, toss the ball up and let AJ climb the ladder to score. Aaron Murray has shown his freshman inexperience several times, however, he has demonstrated an athletic ability to escape a bad situation by using his legs, even scoring touchdowns in the process. He has over 2000 yards of passing with 15 TDs to show, not to mention 4 rushing TDs. Aaron has 3 receivers with over 1200 receiving yards combined to use against a very weak secondary. Georgia has to be creative in this game offensively get the ball to the play makers in order to have a shot at putting up points to counter the #2 ranked offense.

Auburn has to look for ways to protect Cam Newton, Ontario McCalebb, and Mike Dyer from UGA's improving defense. Averaging 200 passing and 300 yards rushing per game, Auburn's Gus Malzahn has consistently found ways to counter defenses and rushes to keep Auburn in the fight with a balanced attack. The offensive line is fast and physical, allowing only 12 sacks. They key to this game for Auburn, as it has been all season, is play count. In Gus Malzahn's offensive scheme, the team must execute at least 86 plays for a win. I'm not going to put it past Georgia to pull an upset, especially with the history behind the meetings of these two teams. So long as Cam can keep the ball moving down field, and continue to make plays while using his weapons in Michael Dyer, Darvin Adams and Terrell Zachary, Auburn may walk away from this dangerous fight.

This annual grudge match is slated to kick-off at 3:30 eastern and air on CBS. UGA should prepare for this game as thought it will be their bowl game, because the atmosphere at Jordan-Hare will the most intense they've faced all season. It might also be the closest thing they get to a bowl game atmosphere should they lose. Auburn fans will be amped up to see if their Heisman contending QB, Cam Newton, will be able to keep the dream alive and send Auburn into the Iron Bowl as the undefeated leader of the SEC in addition to being the SEC West champion. This game holds everything for both teams; a bowl eligible win for UGA and saving grace for Richt, and for the Tigers a chance at continued perfection keeping the dream season alive in hopes of an SEC championship and National Title. This is my favorite game of the season every year. Whichever way the game goes, I plan to be there to see it all.

I will be back later this week to recap the BnE Pick 'Em after my bye week from reporting.

3rd Annual BNE Pick 'Em: Week 8

Happy Hate Week everybody, and Happy early Halloween! Week 8 proved to be another pivotal week in college football as well as the 3rdn Annual BNE Pick 'Em. First and foremost, another #1 fell in the form of the Sooners to Big 12 rival Missouri, who beat the Sooners for the first time since 1998. This of course led the way for Oregon to take the #1 spot ahead of Boise, TCU and Auburn. But don't feel bad for me, because where it really counts, the BCS, Auburn is #1!!! Can I get a War Damn Eagle?! Anyone? Anyone...

Well tough, because I'm going to talk about the top game of the week! Face it folks, the fate of the SEC is not in the hands of Urban Meyer, Nick Saban, Steve Spurrier, or Les Miles. Its not really in the hands of Gene Chizik either when all things are considered. Friends, the fate of the conference and a 5th straight shot at a National Title lies in the very large hands of the Heisman front runner, 6'6", 250 lb, Cam Newton. The showdown on the Plains last Saturday was nothing short of a textbook-perfect example of an SEC grudge match with everything at stake. Undefeated LSU came in with their #6 ranked rush defense against Auburn's undefeated and 6th ranked rushing attack. Allowing only 89 yards per game, LSU was the best shot this far of shutting down Cam and the duo of Mike Dyer and Ontario McCalebb. When it was all said and done, Auburn had scorched LSU for over 400 yards of rushing, of which a 70 yard game winning burst came from Ontario McCalebb, and 217 came directly at the hands of Cam Newton. Statement win? Heisman winning performance? You betcha!!


This game marked the 4th game of the season with over 500 yards of offense for the Tigers. In addition, Cam Newton broke the 1963 record at Auburn of quarterback Jimmy Sidle by rushing for over 1000 yards in a season, and surpassed Heisman winner Pat Sullivan for the most touchdowns in a season by an Auburn quarterback. Those two did it in 11 games, Cam has done it only 8. For the season so far, Cam has accumulated 1386 passing yards with 13 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, and a QB rating of 172.1. In addition to those numbers, he has 157 carries for 1077 yards, 14 touchdowns, including one for 71 yards. We still have 4 more games left in the season including this week's match up against Ole Miss which poses a serious threat for a let down considering our secondary and Jeremiah Masoli. If Auburn comes away with another W, I expect it will once more be at the hands of Cam Newton. I hope everyone is watching because The South's Oldest Rivalry is fast approaching.

Who's making the trip to the Loveliest Village on the Plains?

Of course, outside of watching Auburn, I know everyone will be tuned in for the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktai...oh yeah, sorry Michael Adams, "Georgia vs. Florida". Anyway, this battle pits rivals UGA against their southern Guido neighbors, the Florida Gators. I'm not going to go into a lot commentary or analysis since everyone else pretty well covers it here. I'll just reiterate what Streit has said; UGA needs to win to keep their hopes alive at a shot of winning the SEC East and a bowl game. Please Dawgs, please put a whuppin on the Gators and those god-awful Pro Combat uniforms.

Leave the uniform shenanigans to the pros at Oregon, OK?

And now for our weekly Top 5 performers as well as our overall leaders:

1. BLACKOUT with 249 points and almost perfect at 21-1
2. FelonWaits amassing 239 points going 18-4
3. ugafan13 just three points behind and also 18-4
4. calgee managing 230 points and an 18-4 record
5. Bubba also just three points behind going 18-4

For our overall leaders, we have a new face at the top of the heap. Could it be...

1. AUMav's Picks with 1735 points and a 131-50 record. That's right! After woof woof's total collapse and tumble from #1 to #18, not to mention my superior streak of good luck this season...I'M NUMBER 1 BITCHES!!! WAR DAMN EAGLE!! Glory, glory to me!!
2. Blackout with 1726 points and a 133-48 record
3. WarriorDawg also with 1726 points but a not too shabby 130-51 record
4. allyugadawg keepin it real for the ladies with a 132-49 record and 1705 points
5. Silver Britches staying consistent with 1691 points going 127-54 in picks

Sadly, we have to turn our focus away from my sure-to-be short lived #1 status, and turn to our weekly Bottom Feeder of the Week, sponsored by every Florida fan's favorite, Wrangler Big 5 Pocket Denim Shorts, available at Wal-Mart. The BFotW's special sponsor is in honor of Hate Week and our current BFotW, Shackin at the Whitney. For those of you who don't know, Shackin at the Whitney is none other than our very own BnE contributor, MT. We are ashamed, ASHAMED I SAY! At no point throughout this season has a contributing editor to BnE fallen so low as to have the dishonor of being named our BFotW. Tell me you didn't drink the purple Kool-aid and pick the Huskies over Arizona. Have you learned nothing this season?! This is a disgrace, A DISGRACE! I think in honor of your dishonor of being the first and only BnE contributor to sink to this lowly state of infamy and tainting our ranks with such a foul stench, you must be punished!

He's a witch! Burn him!!

No, no, we're going to need something much worse. In fact, I think we should take advantage of our sponsor, Wrangler Big 5 Pocket Denim Shorts, available at Wal-Mart. Since this is Hate Week, and since this is the time of year every Florida fan dusts off their finest denim clothing items, MT I challenge you to not only wear a pair of Wrangler's finest Denim Shorts this weekend, but to also take a photo of you in said shorts as you watch the beloved Dawgs battle Florida so we can post it here on BnE. Maybe this will teach you, and everyone else appearing in our BFotW, to appreciate making good decisions and using good judgement, because we all know how bad a choice jean shorts can be...

Oh lord, help us all!

Don't forget to get your picks in for this week. WAR DAMN EAGLE. Go Dawgs! HATE FLORIDA!!!

3rd Annual BNE Pick 'Em: Week 7

OK, so I wasn't right in my prediction of betting on Air Force or Nebraska. But I wasn't wrong and here's two reasons why...

1. Both teams lost because of the loss of impact from their key player. For Nebraska, it was the rookie immaturity of a true freshman quarterback in Taylor Martinez who was pulled early in the game. For Air Force, it was the injury to fullback Jared Tew. But even without these key players, both teams nearly came back to beat a tough opponent in Texas and SDSU.

Moooo. That's the sound your mother made last night.

2. I said it was inevitable that Ohio State would lose and I was right! Jim Tressle and his Blackeyes came into Camp Randall and lost to an extremely aggressive and opportunistic Badger team. For all you OSU lovers, please to enjoy the following...


After upsetting #1 Bama, South Carolina was riding high coming into Lexington to face the Wildcats. Listen up Dawg fans, Randall Cobb, Joker Phillips and the rest of the Wildcats are a good team. Not just a good team, but a team that plays tough for four quarters. If you didn't watch this game, you're in for a shock. SUC should have tied this game and sent it to overtime, but Spurrier had delusions of grandeur (or Keeneland) and went for the touchdown. Trust me, Auburn hacked it out against the Wildcats and a field goal is nothing to scoff at. Take the points you can get and keep moving.

Stupid!

Speaking of the Dawgs, WTF!? Where the hell did they come from? SHUT OUT?? I know Vandy is bad, but they're not shut out bad. Wow, I was impressed with the turn around so far from the Dawgs. Don't expect the Red and Black to fair so easily. After Randall Cobb's Twitter outburst against his own fans, expect the stadium to fill up on Saturday and a street fight for 12 rounds. I'm putting 1 confidence point out there on the Kats.

Yeah, not so smooth in the endzone dance

The top game of the week will be the showdown at Thunderdome on the Plains between LSU and the Mad Hatter's Bayou Bengals, and Gene Chizik, Cam Newton and the Auburn Tigers. Both Tigers come into this game undefeated. LSU is carrying an anemic pass offense while boasting one of the most blitz-happy defenses in the country. Auburn brings the nation's 6th best rushing attack and ranks #6 in most points scored behind the legs and arms of Cam Newton. If you watch no other Auburn game this year, turn on CBS and catch the Heisman front-runner try to expand on his 1270 yards passing, 820 yards rushing, and 25 touchdowns. WAR CAM EAGLE!

Seriously, you have to see him play this year.

And now for our top 5 leaders of the week followed by our overall leaders:

1. Fresh Catch Shuffle with 187 points and 14-7
2. Warrior Dawg with 186 points going 15-6
3. G.D. with 180 points and 14-7
4. AUMav's Picks with 178 points going 14-7
5. CowetaDawg with 174 points and also 14-7

Overall:

1. woof woof with 1542 points and a 115-44 record
2. AUMav's Picks with 1519 points and a 115-44 record
3. WarriorDawg going 111-48 and 1505 points
4. Silver Britches with 1487 points and a 113-46 record
5. allyugadawg going 114-45 and 1482 points

Now we turn our attention to this week's Bottom Feeder of the Week sponsored by Gillette's Fusion ProGlide razor. This week's BFotW is a first for the BNE Pick 'Em as we have not one, but two Bottom Feeders of the Week: Damngooddawg and Dawgfan17. Both of our BFotW managed 135 points and a 13-8 record. In all fairness, I can't really say it was a terrible week for either of these two, as most of their picks were tough losses. It was a close shave for these two, but unfortunately they got nicked and ended up here as our BFotW. Too bad they didn't have our sponsor's Fusion ProGlide razors. OK, consider this a warning and don't let me see either of you back here again!

Don't forget to get your picks in!!

BNE 3rd Annual Pick 'Em: Week 6

Well, its the half-way point of the 2010 season. Six games down, and only 7 more to go to find out who will be making the trek to Atlanta in December. Week 6 proved to be a deciding factor in the race to the top, with only Auburn and LSU escaping unscathed and undefeated. Both Tigers now represent the SEC's best shot of having a contender in the BCS Title provided one remains undefeated. If Auburn wins this week, and assuming LSU can overcome FCS McNeese State, Jordan-Hare Stadium will turn into "Thunderdome" on October 23rd. "Two men enter, one man leave." Then again, if no one remains undefeated after Atlanta, there is a high likelihood of the SEC missing out at a shot for another BCS title.

Can he lead the Tigers and the SEC to the promised land?

Outside of an undefeated Tiger team running the tables (i.e. 2004 Auburn), who will we see emerge from the SEC East? Going into the season, Florida looked like a re-loaded title contender, with a SUC team not far behind followed by a fresh crop of talent at UGA. Six games in and Florida looks to be facing an identity crisis and out of the hunt, UGA is facing a probable break-even record at best, and SUC has risen to the top after stunning #1 Bama. But who knows what can happen? Can SUC hold on and make it to the Dome, or will UGA's win and offensive spark start a fire and send UGA to the top? Maybe the presence of new Uga VIII, Big Bad Bruce, will help lay to rest the ghost of uncertainty in Athens.

11 month old, 55lb, Big Bad Bruce will be collared as Uga VIII this weekend

In the rest of the college football world, I have to say that Air Force is one of the most underrated teams. Each Saturday, this team manages to win games using only the spread option and a speedy yet small defense. The Falcon nearly upset OU, are 5-1 and dominating everyone in front of them with the #1 rushing attack in the country. If that doesn't impress you, don't forget that each of these players will continue on into military service after graduating. Look for Air Force to keep rolling and pose a serious threat for upset champion in the Mountain West.

Asher Clark is carrying the Falcons to wins

In the Big 12, the race is down to OU and Nebraska in my mind. I'll give the Huskers the edge for the same reason I like the Falcons: fast offensive football and a tough D. Nebraska owns the second best rushing attach in FBS and their defense is ranked 4th in points allowed. After seeing Oklahoma squeak by lesser opponents, I can see the Sooners being stopped cold by the Husker's D. Count on Tom Osbourne and Nebraska for the rest of the season.

True freshman Taylor Martinez: 660 yds passing, 737 yds rushing. Boo-yah!

When the rest of the Midwest isn't watching the Big 12 dissolve, they're watching the Big 10-11-12. Michigan looked like it was going to run away on the back of Denard Robinson before being stopped by rival Michigan State. Now its Sparty and Brutus rolling towards an undefeated season and a shot at the National Title. But let's be honest, both of these teams will fall before the end of the year, and I leave it to you to call the upset.

Its inevitable

Outside of the Big conferences, we find FSU running wild in a weak and mediocre ACC. Yeah, nothing much else to say there. Even more depressing is the Big East. In the Big East we have...the Big East is being dominated by...Seriously? Syracuse?! Um, right. Moving right along...

The Pac 10. Oh the Pac 10! Sarkisian and the purple Kool-aid drunk Huskie nation. Lame Kiffin and his Lame-duck Trojans and their beaten and bruised defense are still a young team finding their way. Stanford and Arizona had promise only to slip up to the top two teams of the West: Oregon State and Oregon. Since OSU is 3-2, we know who is the real top of the heap. Say it with me now, "I believe in Chip Kelly, I love Nike Pro Combat, I envy uniform variations to the Nth degree, my favorite colors is forest green, and I love fast attack football". The Ducks are the team to beat. Chip Kelly has the Ducks running on the 4th best rushing attack, scoring more points per game than any other team, while allowing an average of 16 points per game. By the end of the season, the Ducks and their uniforms of metal, winged, logo covered, neon yellow, green, black...oh forget it! Look for the Quack Attack in Glendale and don't pick against them.

Come on, embrace the Duck...and his friend.

I have to say, I'm very proud of our readers for how well everyone has done thus far in the pick 'em. An average of 972 points and more than half of the group has a winning record. This is by far the best year of picks. Let's keep it up!

And now for our top 5 leaders for the week followed by our overall leaders:

1. Bubba with 176 points and a 15-7 record
2. ugafan13 just two points behind at 174 points at 13-9
3. Silver Britches with 172 points and 15-7
4. Earl's Girl with 171 points and also 15-7
5. WarriorDawg with 169 points and a 14-8 record

Our overall leaders:

1. woof woof with 1386 points and a 101-37 record
2.  AUMav's Picks with 1341 points and a 101-37 record
3.  Silver Britches with 1336 points going 102-36
4.  BLACKOUT with 1300 points going 100-38 
5. allyugadawg with 1325 points and a 100-38 record

I'd also like to give an honorable mention to BNE's Streit, who has managed to compile a league-best 103-35 record so far this season, placing him 2nd overall from the BNE staff, and the top 15 of all pickers.

Moving from our warm and fuzzy honorable mention, we come to our weekly dishonorable mention, The Bottom Feeder of the Week,  which is sponsored by Capitol Nashville's new album, Charleston, SC 1966 by Darius Rucker. Moving into the bottom position this week is G.D.. You managed only 129 points on an 11-11 record. I know 'We All Fall Down' and I know you thought you 'Might Get Lucky' by picking Washington over Arizona, but you need to stop drinking the purple Kool-aid 'In a Big Way'. Secondly, 'The Craziest Thing' and 'Things I'd Never Do' is continue picking BYU, especially 'This' week. Its not too late, you can turn things around. Give a listen to Darius's new album Charleston, SC 1966 and listen to the lyrics and the soulful voice describe his soul searching as he matures and moves into his prime. Give it a shot and this week might just be your 'Come Back Song'.

This album is great to listen to on the way to games

Keep it going folks. Don't forget to get your picks in and I'll be back next week after we make the turn.

BNE 3rd Annual Pick 'Em: Week 5

UGA is 1-4. Let's be frank, we can evaluate this situation from all different angles, from blaming Richt for losing the ability to coach his players (both on and off the field) to Bobo not coaching in general, from the lack of skill-set players to run the new D to the plethora of talent not executing, the fact remains that something is wrong in Athens and the Dawgs have slipped to 1-4 this season. If it were just one thing it would be blatantly obvious, but in this case, I think we're looking at a systemic failure across the whole team top to bottom, and the team is in a fog as a result.

I'll be honest, I was the one and only person who picked Colorado in the BNE Pick 'Em this week. It wasn't because I'm an Auburn fan or don't have faith in the Dawgs, I just saw a bad situation in a bad location for the Dawgs to turn this thing around. AJ Greene came back and proved why he is the best WR play maker in FBS this season. However, as I said in my last post, the altitude got to him and most of the team resulting in a lot of cramping and substitutions, and one man does not make a team. Altitude is a variable that has to be taken into account for any game played in higher elevations. This factor, coupled with the time change, the travel, and the intensity coming into a game with a 1-3 record only helped to disrupt a team already playing with little focus. I don't think UGA lost this game because of bad play (the fumble not withstanding), I feel everything else was stacked against the Dawgs before they even arrived.

Now sitting 1-4, UGA has an even greater sense of urgency to win coming into this week's game against the Vols. Luckily for the Dawgs, they're back in Athens. My only hope is that the fans are back as well and will have enough faith to back the Dawgs when things get tough. Richt has taken a suggestion from a fan to heart, and will lead the Dagws out onto the field this Saturday. I have a feeling he will lead them out and on to a win over Dooley. If not, he might be leading someone else off the field entirely...

Outside of this game, look for me on ESPN2 when I make the trek with the #8 Auburn Tigers as we go to face the Wildcat offense of Joker Phillips, Mike Hartline and the rest of the 3-2 Smurfcats in Lexington. We're favored by 6.5 and rightly so given our double come from behind wins against the state of South Carolina. I think I'll also be catching up on Bama and SUC, Arkrysaw and the Aggies at Texas Stadium, UCLA and Cal, and maybe Clemson and UNC just for fun.

And now for our top 5 leaders for the week followed by our overall leaders:

1. LostinAlabama making a midseason surge after a stint as our BFotW with 218 points and a 17-5 record
2. BLACKOUT with 210 points and a 16-6 record
3. woof woof with 209 going 16-6
4. Hayduke with 206 points yet managing a 14-8 record
5. AUMav's Picks with 199 points going 16-6

Our overall leaders:

1. woof woof with 1232 points and a 89-27 record
2. AUMav's Picks with 1192 points and a league-best 91-25 record
3. Hayduke just one point behind at 1191 and 85-31
4. Dawgsman81 with 1774 points and a 88-28 record
5. Silver Britches and allyugadawg with 1164 points and a 87-29 and 86-30 record respectively

Now that the cream has risen to the top, we can shift our focus to the bottom and our weekly Bottom Feeder of the Week, sponsored by http://www.georgiadogs.com/ , the official website of the UGA Athletics Department. This week's BFotW is OneHairyDawg with 151 points and a mediocre 13-9 record. What can I say OneHairyDawg, you're on a downward spiral much like the real Dawgs of UGA. You started off with such promise in Week 1 with 319 points going 21-6, just like UGA and their shiny new season, only to slip and fall over the next 4 consecutive weeks. And while this week you managed a 13-9 record, your picks showed a lack of focus and attention causing you to fumble into our BFotW...just like UGA did in Boulder. Picking Navy over an Air Force team that nearly beat Top 10 ranked Oklahoma, AND with 20 confidence points?? JoePa and a shallow offense over Iowa's swarming and fierce defensive line? And what did you see in Kansas to convince you to risk 11 points over Baylor? You must have been calling that pick in from the land of Oz. Seriously, much like UGA, you need to turn this around and fast. Four consecutive weeks of falling points! Wake up, make a change, try something different, don't go with the status quo, make smart choices, watch some tape! Hell, maybe even let your girlfriend pick 'em based on uniforms, or mascots, or cutest QB. Whatever you do, do it fast or else you and the Dawgs might share the same fate this week and head straight into a downward spiral.

Who wins? Smokey...

...or Uga?



3rd Annual BNE Pick 'Em: Week 4

We're heading into the meat of the season as conference play commences fully this week. Week 4 showed who is emerging as a contender, and who isn't quite there yet. Bama and Auburn both needed comeback talent to overcome some top opposition, while Tennessee needed two overtimes to beat a sloppy UAB. Meanwhile, no one saw UCLA coming, and neither did Texas as the Bruins ran all over Muschamp's defense. Look for Brown and the Horns to be fired up and ready for the Sooners in a potential upset at the Red River Shootout in Dallas.

I don't Texas and OU fans are normally this close

Minnesota and the Gophers have yet to emerge from their gopher holes, falling to NIU and a 1-3 start. Kudos to Dawgfan17 for being the only one not to take the bait and going with the Huskies. Finally, sitting with a 1-3 is UGA who fell to Mississip(p?)i State. The Dawgs make the trip out to Boulder to face 2-1 Colorado. AJ Green has been practicing during his suspension and shouldn't look green in his first start this season. Its a big morale boost to have AJ back in the game, but the coaching and Rocky Mountain air may have a bigger impact against the Dawgs. I expect UGA to pull off a close one and start winning...I hope.

More intimidating: Uga charging the field, or a 1200 lb buffalo? Mind your step

And now for our top 5 leaders for the week followed by our overall leaders:

1. Earl's Girl with 187 points & 15-6
2. AUMav's Picks with 186 points & 17-4
3. G.D. & woof with 179 points and both going 16-5
4. calgee & Fresh Catch Shuffle with 178 points and also both going 16-5 . calgee making a dramatic climb out of the bottom. Congratulations!!!
5. allyugadawg with 176 points & 15-6

Our overall leaders:

1. woof woof with 1023 points & 73-21
2. G.D. with 1007 points & 71-23
3. AUMav's Picks with 993 points & 75-19
4. allyugadawg with 993 points & 73-21
5. Hayduke with 985 points & 71-23

With last week's Bottom Feeder of the Week, calgee, skyrocketing out of the bottom of the barrel, we have a new BFotW! This week's BFotW is brought to you by the macabre crew over at www.tombwrecks.blogspot.com, and they are a fitting sponsor given the grave performance of ugadawg13 this week. With a low score total of 134 points and an 11-10 record, ugadawg has managed the second lowest points total and win/loss record thus far. Making picks like these will only dig your grave faster. Just a friendly point of advice: don't pick more than 2 upsets each week unless you somehow have some inside information. If you do, let me know and I'll call my bookie. Otherwise, keep it simple. Hopefully we won't see you down here again. If we do, I'll be picking out your sports-headstone from www.tombwrecks.blogspot.com similar to this one...

Bingo might be more to your talents if things don't pick up

Don't forget to get your picks in by the end of the day! If you get the chance, check out Air Force v. Navy, UGA v. Colorado (of course) and Oregon v. Stanford. I think Oregon might be the best team in the Pac-10 if they can keep their speed attack going. Keep an eye out for the winner of this top 10 match up as they might end up in the BCS title.

I'm drinking the Kool-aid I know, but even an airline is getting on board with the Ducks!



3rd Annual BNE Pick 'Em: Week 3

Don't forget to get your picks in this afternoon! Go Dawgs - WAR EAGLE!

BNE Pick 'Em Top 5

1. Fresh Catch Shuffle: 283 points & 19-5
2. woof woo: 278 points & 20-4
3. OneHairyDawg: 277 points & 20-4
4. Dawgfan17: 273 points & 20-4
5. dawg1976: 272 points & 20-4

Overall Leaders

1. woof woof: 844 points & 57-16
2. G.D.: 828 points & 55-16
3. srm2006: 823 points & 56-17
4. Dawgfan17: 821 & 61-12
5. Dutch: 821 & 55-18

And now for our Bottom Feeder of the Week, sponsored by Blue from American Express. I'm sad to say, but my former co-worker and mentor, calgee, is our new BFotW with a dismal 178 points and 16-8 record. Picking UGA over Arkysaw, ok, I can see that. Tubs over Brown, sure, it was plausible. And no one would have thought Arizona over Iowa. But Duke over Bama? With 7 confidence points?! I think you need to apply for a line of credit with our sponsor, Blue from American Express, to help cover the checks your dumbass picks are making but teams aren't cashing. Blue helps you earn points on purchases you make, much like you earn points for the CORRECT picks you make. Maybe swipe our little Blue friend to buy a few Athlon Sports magazines to help you research your picks for this week. While you're at it, maybe use Blue to buy a ticket to the blue turf capital in Boise for the Oregon State vs. Boise State game. And if you're feeling blue again on Monday, go visit our other friends at http://www.smurfhappens.com/ to catch a sneak peek at the all new, true-blue Smurf movie coming to a theater near you in 2011. I'm blue-daba-dee-dabba-da-dabba dee-da-ba-dee...

Oh lord the terrible Euro-trash that will be heard in Boise.

South Carolina Learns to Count, Places UGA at #6

Every year, someone ranks college football stadiums in terms of the size, the loudness, the atmosphere, or the impact on the game. Newspapers and blogs love to rank The Swamp and Tiger Stadium at the top for the volume, and Vaught-Hemingway and The Rose Bowl for the atmosphere, and the Horseshoe and Big House for sheer size.

In preparation for the SUC vs. Auburn game this weekend, Ron Morris, from http://www.thestate.com/, has compiled his top 12 most intimidating SEC stadiums based on his experience and opinion from attending games at each stadium. While he freely admits his ranking are subjective, I'm not sure I agree with his placement of Sanford Stadium at number 6 on the list, but I do think that UGA has slipped in its intensity for home games.

#1 stadium in the SEC for intimidation

From the post (click here) Mr. Morris writes of Sanford Stadium, "Georgia football has become too much of a social event in Athens. The world’s loudest and most obnoxious video board system also works against Georgia. It is a sure sign that Georgia has resorted to having to create noise instead of getting spontaneous crowd reaction."

So Dawg fans, what do you think? Has the expectation of winning reduced the intensity of the crowds? Have the short comings this year turned passion and volume from the fans on 4th and 1 situations into anger and dejected silence? Do people care too much about tailgating and not enough about their impact on the game-time atmosphere? Has UGA gone from being known for having the most obnoxious fans to the most obnoxious scoreboard?

Has Sanford lost its mojo?

Thoughts on ESPN College GameDay

My wife and I had the fortunate experience to attend a VIP event for ESPN's College GameDay this weekend in Auburn. I know a lot of you watch this pre-game show every Saturday morning as I do, but seeing it from behind the barriers and up close brings a whole different experience. I have a new respect for the show, as well as the on-air personalities.

Having never seen a TV broadcast up close, I was amazed at the number of crew members and staff involved in the production of this show. Everything begins each week on Thursday afternoon when the GameDay bus rolls into town with the production team. As soon as everyone arrives, the support equipment, fences, and sets are set up along with the monitors, cameras, speakers and miles of cable necessary to transmit the show. 5am on Saturday, everyone is on the scene reviewing stats, scores, news and prepping for the show. Over 100 staff and volunteers are on hand to aid in the logistics of producing the show.

We were shown around the tour bus driven by a great gentleman named Bobby, who is a veteran and Georgia Bull Dawg. He drives the GameDay bus for 14 weeks during the fall in addition to the college basketball season, and he seems to know everyone on the staff. He is a great guy with a lot of little stories from his travels, and was so well respected by the staff. Amazingly, he gets to take his wife and dog on the road on the bus in between games.

A Dawg helps bring GameDay to your city.

We were also shown the production trailer. Pulled behind a semi, this trailer expands to hold the entire production team of roughly 15 people, 137 monitors, and the security and satellite equipment. From here, all the TV feeds from the site, from the remote reporters to the live feeds coming from Bristol, are combined to form the seamless show you see every Saturday.  The staff in this trailer spend about 18 hours every Saturday coordinating the broadcast from GameDay to kick-off. The amount of direction and coordination we saw while the show was filming was intense. 

This was one section of 5 in the production trailer. 137 monitors in total!

Bringing everything together are the on-air personalities: Erin Andrews, Chris Fowler, Desmond Howard, Kirk Herbstreit and Lee Corso. The biggest thing I noticed was the amount of security on hand. Each broadcaster had two officers escorting them between the set and the bus, with Ms. Andrews having three or four. They are constantly on the move between the main set, the "practice field" and their tour bus. Make no mistake, they were in the heat of the Auburn Plains the majority of the time but still managed to keep their professional cool.

Kirk and his police escort

Desmond Howard making his way to the set.



Erin Andrews

After the taping, we had a chance to take a photo with the crew on the set, in addition to a meet-n-greet. Chris Fowler is very professional and almost stiff, much like you'd expect from a broadcast news anchor. Kirk Herbstreit is very fan-friendly, taking time to sign autographs and going out of his way to see fans outside of the fence line. Out of the 5 broadcasters, he stuck around the longest. Desmond cuts the most jokes around the set. Erin Andrews was very elusive and did not stick around. But the most interesting of the crew is Lee Corso.

Kirk Herbstreit



Don't worry Josh, I passed your message along to Chris. A restraining order is pending.

 Watching Lee on TV, you can see that he has come along way in dealing with the effects of his minor stroke. In person, it is a bit more noticeable, but I admire how well he has persevered and also how approachable he is to those around him. I had great conversation with the coach discussing Auburn and our traditions, the rolling of Toomer's corner, and the game that day. He also let me in on the lapel pin he wears each week. For those of you who are curious, the pin he wears is a B-2 stealth bomber with an American flag on it. It was given to him at the Air Force Academy by the former B-2 wing commander, and its a rare pin to receive. He wears it in honor of our service men and women. It was great to talk Lee and see his passion for college football.

Lee is the man.

Getting up each Saturday going forward will bring a new appreciation for my favorite fall pre-game show. I'm in awe at the logistics, team work and coordination it takes to produce College GameDay each week. It will be hard not to think about the cameramen out in the heat, the statisticians feeding endless numbers, and the guys in the truck for 18 hours on Saturday who help bring it all together. While I won't always agree with the on-air personalities and their picks, I will appreciate their hard work after seeing it in person.

3rd Annual BNE Pick 'Em: Week 2

I have to say, everyone did pretty good last week. With the exception of the Techs losing (Va and Ga), most everyone had a winning record for the week. Don't forget to have your pick in by this afternoon. This week features some good match ups between GaTech and UNC, UGA and Arky-saw, OU and Air Force, BYU and FSU, Texas and Texas Tech and the game of the week, Clemson vs. Auburn.

Speaking of Auburn, there have been rumors floating around the blogosphere of a total "Blue Out" at Jordan-Hare Saturday night to combat the all-orange uniforms of Auburn By the Lake. Specifically, a photo of a very authentic-looking Under Armour helmet in navy blue has popped up, leading to rampant speculation of the Tigers wearing all blue, from the rumored helmet down to the pants, much like UGA has done for their "black out" games.

I'm all for having the stadium decked out in blue and I appreciate the jolt a new look can bring, but Auburn has one of the best looking uniforms in college football and its a classic look that should not be messed with. Making a uniform switch can bring you luck; look at Notre Dame and their green jerseys. On the other hand, making a switch from tradition can bring you bad luck; look at Notre Dame and their green jerseys. While the black uniforms for UGA worked in 07 and for the Sugar Bowl, making a huge statement and pumping up the fans, using it too often can result in an embarrassing black eye...

First UGA, then VaTech, then Texas Tech and now we might see Auburn making a switch? Come on folks, let's leave the uniform gimmicks to the experts over at Oregon...

For the BNE Pick 'Em Top 5, we'll be presenting the top performers of the week and the overall standing. So without further delay...

1. AUMav's Picks with 237 points and a 20-2 record. Yeah, suck it bitches!
2. allyugadawg with 225 points going 17-5
3. BLACKOUT (18-4), woof woof (16-6), G.D. (17-5), and Dawgfan17 (20-2) all with 221 points
4. WarriorDawg (16-6) & FelonWaites (18-4) with 220 points
5. and finally, Dawgsman81with 219 and an 18-4 record

Overall leaders:

1. woof woof: 566 and 37-12 
2. Dawgsman81: 561 and 39-10
3. G.D.: 560 and 38-11
4. AUMav's Picks: 557 and 40-9
5. HayDuke: 554 and 39-10

And now for out Bottom Feeder of the Week, sponsored by my favorite time-wasting website, www.cakewrecks.com. Once again, BFotW will throw out those who did not make picks and those who seemingly don't understand how to make a pick. So, with this in mind, this week's Bottom Feeder of the Week is LostinAlabama with a whopping 95 points. The entire group managed to average 436 points, but you couldn't break 100? 11-11 for the week picking Vandy over LSU, Tennessee over Oregon and Penn State over Bama, and with such high confidence? Come on now, I thought we went over how to make picks when our friends from last weeks BFotW helped us with counting. You know what, I'm a sport. I'm willing to forget this whole mess. In fact, I even got you a cookie cake from our sponsor, www.cakewrecks.com to show there's no hard feelings and to help you enjoy your football Saturday...

Oh lord, the horror, the laziness, the blue icing...just don't hold it in front of your crotch and take a photo...

Get your picks in by the end of the day on Friday. Saturday morning, get up early and look for me and my lovely wife on ESPN's College GameDay, built by The Home Depot. Maybe if I'm lucky I can wrangle my way onto the set and meet up with Fowler, Howard, Corso and Herbstreit.

WAR DAMN EAGLE!

3rd Annual BNE Pick 'Em: Week 1

Well folks, all I have to say is, WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO OLE MISS!?!?!?!

  Um, I have no idea who stole that picnic basket, but I plan to find out here at Ole Miss.

Every single one of us got that game dead wrong. I don't blame the hype around Houston Nutt, or the strength of the SEC West this year, or even the new savior of the Grove, Jeremiah Masoli. Ole Miss was just supposed to win this game simply because they were playing Jacksonville State. JACKSONVILLE STATE!! At least Vandy lost to a reputable opponent in Northwestern.

Next to that pick, everyone else seemed to have UCLA pegged over K State which turned out wrong. The other overwhelming favorite, VaTech, produced a nail biting extravaganza of a game that is probably going to be looked back on as not only the best game Boise plays all year, but probably even better than 80% of bowl games at the end of the season. I was not so much impressed by Kellen Moore's on the field leadership as I was the at the turnout of the fans from Idaho. I had no idea that many people lived in Idaho.

Look kids, Idaho...

Without further delay, I present the BNE Pick 'Em Top 5:
1. Mrs. Streitenbereger heself, Melissa's2010 Picks in top spot with 352 points
     Apparently the silver britches in the house aren't worn by Streit, at least this week...
2. woof woof with 345 points
3. Our old friend Dutch is back at 343 points and tied with Hayduke
5. Dawgsman81 rounds out the top 5 with 342 points

And now for our weekly Bottom Feeder of the Week, sponsored by Sesame Street Games. Excluding those who didn't make picks or didn't get their picks in on time, our first BFW is FCS Southeast Cobras. While 19-8 is nothing to scoff at, your point assignment was terrible. A group average of 279 and you managed only 102? I'm guessing you thought this pick 'em would be as competitive as playing NCAA 2010 on Playstation, with the settings turned down to easy, and your user-created FCS Cobras dominating Alabama 77-0. Well it ain't that easy! If you want easy, head on over to our sponsor at Sesame Street Games and take a shot at 'Elmo's Potty Time'. I don't even want to know what that game involves, but I'm pretty sure you and every other kindergartner can beat Elmo at what ever he does in the game...yeah. Anyway, try harder next week and take some tips from my friend...

1 point for Michigan over Notre Dame, ah ha ha ha....2 points for UGA over SUC, ah ha ha ha....

Heads up, don't watch the Vikings and Saints tonight. I predict Favre will get pummeled and injured in the second quarter and be out for the rest of his career. Instead, watch the Auburn vs. Mississip(p?)i State game instead. Kick off is at 7:30 on ESPN. Don't forget to get your picks in!!!