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 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.

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!!!

Step Right Up and Make Your Pick!!

Due to overwhelming demand, Bubba 'n Earl has decided to open the 3rd Annual Pick 'Em to everybody!

Simply click on this link College Football Pick 'Em, enter the Group ID: 15552, and the Password: bubba.

Hurry though, the picks are already up for this week and the first games begin Thursday.

3rd Annual BnE Pick 'Em Sign Up

The fanaticism begins soon folks, but there is still time to sign up for the 3rd Annual BnE Pick 'Em, hosted at Yahoo this year. If you haven't already, email me here and I'll send you the invite to join the league. We've gone international this year so I know the competition will be fierce. Picks should be up Monday.

Sign up now, and help BnE restore honor to the world of college football blogging once more.

BnE: Restoring Honor to college football blogging...without Glenn Beck.

New & Improved 3rd Annual BnE Pick 'Em, now Kiffin-free!

I love college football and there's only one way to truly grasp just how much we need it, and that's to watch it in action.

Hi folks, Billy Maze here for the new and improved Bubba 'N Earl Pick 'Em! The fast and easy way to participate in the SEC's best football games and the best non-conference games of the week. It's by far the best college football pick 'em on this site*, GUARANTEED!

Billy Mays, not Billy Maze

If you're tired of all the countless viewings of stale Vampire movies with your girlfriend, the repetitive blabbing of your wife's thoughts on Oprah and Dr. Phil, the endless summer heat and no football,  I'm here to tell you the new BnE Pick 'Em will cure all your summer woes just in time for college football season. It's sure to beat any other college pick 'em with less irritation, no biting, and no vibration. No other pick 'em can do that*!

You can research your favorite teams, review stats, watch highlights, read post game breakdowns, see all the best SEC and non-conference games and more in preparation for making your picks each week. The new and improved BnE Pick 'Em is GUARANTEED to quench your thirst for college football prognosticating. And better yet, there is no Lane Kiffin or Tim Tebow in the SEC this year. The new BnE Pick 'Em is 100% Satisfaction*.

Soft enough for female readers, hard enough for the most die-hard fans, the BnE Pick 'Em is available to anyone*! Don't settle for any other college football pick 'em on this site. The new and improved BnE Pick 'Em comes with no strings attached*, and is so good, not even a coconut can beat it!

If you're not satisfied, I'll send you a picture of this coconut

If you sign up now, we'll even throw in a weekly preview of the games of the week. And that's not all! After each week, we'll post the Top 5 of the pick 'em as well as the Bottom Feeder of the Week! Not even a Grater Plater or Mighty Putty can give you that!

3rd Annual BnE Pick 'Em, more entertaining than a tube of Mighty Putty

Sign-up right now, and we'll double the offer on the best BnE Pick 'Em yet by throwing in a free comments section for all your taunting and trash talking - a $20 value, FREE. Just pay separate shipping and handling*.

You get it all! The new and improved 3rd Annual BnE Pick 'Em, the weekly preview of the games of the week, every SEC game and the best non-conference games, the Top 5 and the Bottom Feeder of the Week, and a picture of a coconut if you're not satisfied. To top if off, if you sign up right now, we'll throw in a free picture of a misspelled Alabama* vs. Mississippi State ticket! BUT HURRY, THIS IS A LIMITED TIME OFFER. SIGN UP BEFORE TUESDAY, AUGUST 31.

Here's how to order:
Submit your name and email address to me by emailing here with BnE Pick 'Em in the subject line. I will provide a link to the new BnE Pick 'Em site where you'll sign up. The new pick 'em will be ready by Monday, August 30. Good luck and WDE!

*Site only refers to Bubba 'n Earl Sittin' on the 50 and no other web site
*Some pick 'ems can do that
*Actual satisfaction is based on a survey of 200 midgets from Nebraska when asked if they preferred to sniff a corn cob or participate in the 3rd Annual BnE Pick 'Em
*3rd Annual BnE Pick 'Em is available only to those participants who sign up, Geckos, the prime minister of Japan, anyone under 7' in height, the undead, fans of Seinfeld and carnies. Any participation by persons residing in Albania is prohibited
*Some strings up to 6" in length may be attached with prior notification
*Shipping and handling fees for all US residents equal to 17.2% of buyer's gross income divided by their age. No shipping to Albania
*Bama Sucks!