GG/BG Bowl Season Mirrors CFB

Well, are you exhausted? I now I am after flipping through all 34 bowl games except the one on NFL Network since no one other than the fans in stands saw that one. Can you even name it? I can't. I know when I picked my games and picked my top 5 and my bottom 5 the rest might as well have been a tossed salad. It worked last year but not this year. Just like our numbers were down in the regular college season so were our numbers in the bowl games. This years third place winner would have been in 7th place last year. That's the way the football bounces.

Now it is very tough to repeat as winner each year, just ask Matt Scalisi and LSU. Same thing goes for the one with the best record. They don't always come in first place or win the Championship. Just ask Jay Roche and Utah. Our winner this year also is our Comeback Player of the Year. Joey Paganelli came in 12th place last year and really redeemed himself with the most points and title as Champion of our little group for the Bowl Season 2008-2009.

On to our list of winners and almost winners. The top 10 only.

1. Joey Paganelli - 397 Points - $65.00

2. Matt Scalisi - 360 - $39.00

3. Jay Roche - 357 - $26.00

4. Mike Roche - 346

5. Scott St. Joseph - 337

6. Amy Roche - 334

7. Jason Roche - 304

8. Joey Plaia - 300

9. Big Jay Roche - 295

10. Anne Paganelli - 291

Due to fear of carpel tunnel we will only list the top 10 finishers. Well, that is it for this year. Before you know it, the dog days of summer will turn to the dog days of fall when we will tee it up again. I hope everyone will come back next year to try their hand at this again. It is fun to pick these games besides, where else can you really care about Fresno State vs. Hawaii when it kicks off at 11:00 PM Central time? See you in the fall. Checks and certificates will be mailed out this weekend. Matt, you can get yours from Jason.

The Season is Over

Yes, it is but what a season it has been. In the history of this little group, dating back to 2002 when 7 people were vying for glory, we have never had such a close race with two people tied going into the last weekend of the season. This year we had 21 people put in their $10.00 for a chance to win in the end. Most everyone stayed around to the end and didn't take any weeks off, others ..well you know who you are. This is the largest group we have ever had and thank you all for playing. Before we recap the top 10 spots let's take a look at this season and see how it compared with the past two seasons.

To give you an idea of how this game can go back and forth, my score of 559 points would have been good for 13th place two years ago. Last year Jason won with 517 points which would have put him in 5th place this year. Two years ago we had 16 perfect scores and one week with only one score under 50 points. This year we had 4 perfect scores, all in week 3, and only 14 scores all season over 50 points. This game was obviously tough this year.

You will all recall week 7 when the average score across the country was 11 and our highest score was achieved by Joey Paganelli at 32, well done. It was disastrous as team after team, or better said, pick after pick went down to defeat. Last years winner, Jason found himself atop the heap after week 8 and promptly forgot to make any picks the following week. Since he and Matt, our founding members, are always competing, Matt decided to take the week off in week 10 and still managed to make the top 10. Good perseverance, Matt.

Let's recap the top ten and then give out the season ending awards.

1. Mike Roche 559 pts, 172 in country $105.00

2. Scott St.Joseph 557 256 $63.00

3. Joey Paganelli 537 3006 $42.00

4. Joey Plaia 522 6915

5. Jay Roche 513 10286

6. Ann Paganeli 507 13071

7. Roady Ferlisi 506 13557

8. Big Jay Roche 500 16711

9. Rose Ferlisi 483 27375

10. Matt Scalici 478 30846

Our top 8 folks all were above 90% in their picks, congratulations. Now the season ending awards:

Rookie of the Year: Joey Paganelli - New to the group and the first time in the money very well done. It helps to do well on a weekend when everyone else is doing poorly. Great Job!

Most Improved: This was a tough one since there were more than a few folks who really improved over last year but it goes to Joey Plaia. Was out of the money by 15 points but landed in 4th place after finishing in 8th place last year.

Biggest Fall From Grace Award: Has to be last year's winner Jason Roche who was on top of the heap after week 8 and then missed the next week. I can still hear him boasting about how he was going to win the whole thing. The final insult was giving up the last two weeks, but hey at least you got an award.

The I'm Only Going to Play One Week and See Where That Gets Me Award: Paul Noto, hands down. After telling me I need to remind him to make his picks each week and was so looking forward to this season did well the first week and then forgot. No, I didn't remind him about his picks. I don't remind anyone about them, they are their picks. The saving grace is he had not paid by the time he forgot. Oh, by the way it was good for a tie at 218,776th lace in the country. Way to go Paul.

Mr. Consistency Award: Scott St. Joseph. I have never met Scott but we have been in this group together for at least three years and he has always done well in the group. Two years ago, he was 3rd. Last year he missed a week and still came in 6th, missing the top spot by 42 points and money by just 12 points. I know he will be right up there again next year.

Well that is it for this year's College Pick em thanks for playing, i hope you had fun over the season. We will have the Bowl Game up and running when it comes up on ESPN and if you are so inclined you can put up $10.00 again this year. It is played the same way but with 1 to 34 confidence points. You pick only one time so no having to remember, take note Paul. See you then, certificates and checks will be out soon.

Sorry I'm Late But...

- I really thought there was another bowl game. 32 just doesn't seem to be enough.

- I've been really, really busy trying to decide what songs I would download with my iTunes Gift Card. did it today and am listening to them now. Ever heard of Pat Metheny, Cashman & West, Aztec Two Step Todd Rundgren or Michael Murphy. Good stuff.

- I didn't know how to spilt the winner's money because he had been fronted by his uncle

I have had all sorts of ideas about this bowl recap blog and they were really good ones too. My problem is I would think of them as I was falling asleep and I told myself each time I would remember in the morning and guess what? That's right I have CRC disease, "Can't Remember Crap." The truth is I've been busy with just life, I know you all know what I mean. I did not want to wait much longer though otherwise we would be in the middle of the next college football season. It was a fun season in the Bowl Games, though. Thanks to all who played this year. Joey was hoping to repeat as champion this year since there was money on it but it is tough to repeat. Just ask him. This year, as in last year, the best record did not come in first place in the group.

Here is the recap of our top ten of the season:

1. Matt "Stugots" Scalici 23-9 401 pts $60.00
2. Mike "Instant Replay" Roche 25-7 388 pts $36.00
3. Scott "Atlanta Twins" St. Joseph 23-9 380 pts (not in the money)
4. Amy "No Heels/No Bowls" Roche 23-9 368 pts $12.00
4. Paul "Back in the Game" Noto 24-8 368 pts $12.00
6. Jay "No Cornhuskers Again" Roche
7. Matt "Papamatt" Scalici
8. Jay "2007 Bowling for $$" Roche
9. Roady "mswiseguy" Ferlisi
10. Joey "Bowl Pick'em Plaia" Plaia

This was good season for the founding members of this group both Jason and Matt won a game. You may recall Jason came in first in the regular college season. This is the first time for each of them.

Now I find it interesting that Matt had his entry money put up by his uncle. All those in favor of giving the money to Roady so he can deliver to Matt minus his cut of course say Aye...AYE. Opposed...NO. Well I think that passed.

Once the dust settles from all the couching changes across the country, every one's attention will turn to recruiting and spring football. I'm focused on the Super Bowl first and then MLB and the Red Sox. I will be back in touch as the summer winds down and the college season kicks off again. Just think only about 32 weeks before we tee it up again. See you then.

Checks and certificates will be mailed or delivered this week.

A ROCHE TRIFECTA!

Three generations of Roche's have combined to take the top three places in this year's Good Guy/Bad Guy College Pick'em. Congratulations go out to Jason, Mike and Big Jay for surviving the 2007 season unlike most of the college teams we saw play and loose. Here is a picture of the men celebrating their good fortune.

It was quite a different year than ones past with only 4 perfect scores all season and all in the first week. The top finisher of those folks was 5th place. Many people started in the group but many failed to finish. Sounds like Alabama. Some signed up to play but never really showed up, sounds like ND. Simple consistency won the race this year.

As to the top finishers,

1st Place = Jason Roche, the younger, 517 pts, 99.4% $ 90.00 One of the founding members of this fine group finally came in the money after so many years.

2nd Place = Mike Roche 507 pts, 98.6%, $54.00 Your humble blog writer (when the mood strikes) and just happy to be here.

3rd Place = Big Jay Roche, the elder statesman, 487 pts, 95.7%, $36.00 Second year in a row in the money and thankful there was not another week to play as he beat out Roady Ferlisi by one point.

Other awards this year:

Rookie of the Year = Roady Ferlisi, who came on strong the last weeks and had a knack for picking correctly that one upset each week. Finished out of the money by one point. Just needed one more week to play.

Comeback Player of the Year = Scott St. Joseph, who after missing the 6th week finished 6th in the group ahead of 7 players who never missed a week and still had a 92.8% average.

Checks and certificates will be out to everyone soon.

The group will be playing the Bowl Challenge again this year and we would like to put some money on it if you are up for it. The pay to play amount is the same, $10.00. The pay out would be the same too, 50%, 30% and 20% of the total pot to the top three finishers. The system is the same only there are 32 or so bowl games and each has a confidence point assigned to it, 1-32. Joey Plaia, last years winner, wants to defend his title and win some money at the same time so what do you say? I'm sure you can find $10.00 in your seat cushions or in your car. You know where to send it and it needs to be here by December 9th. That gives you two weeks to get it here. Any questions, let me know.

OK, What have we learned?

I don't know about you but this year as been one of the strangest football seasons in memory. I am watching the USF-Rutgers game right now and hoping that Rutgers upsets USF. They had a great fake punt in the first series. I just don't feel like they belong there. Call me a traditionalist but it just doesn't seem right for them to be in position to play for the national championship. I'm not really torn even though it is Cathy's Alma Mater, she didn't even walk at graduation, so it is OK. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

ALERT!! ALERT!! Red Sox 1-0 after Youk's homer. (I'm switching between games.)

So, what have we learned this season? Well...

1. I've learned that when looking for your golf ball in the woods, look where you place your feet to make sure you don't step in an ant hill. I did this on Sunday. Bites all over my ankles and hand and wrist from trying to get them off. Lesson for you kids out there, the learning never stops. This was really insult to injury on a very poor round of golf.

2. It really doesn't matter who is number 1 or 2 in the country because eventually, they will loose.

3. We still have folks who paid to play but missed a week. It didn't work last year so I'm not sure if the learning has set in for some. Unfortunately for those who didn't start playing the next week, they are now out of it. With the low scores this season, even a week off doesn't mean the entire season is lost. No problem though, the winners will be happy to take your $$$.

4. To illustrate this, the top two people, Jason and myself have only had one week each over 40 points.

5. Compare this with Scott, the perennial super power in fantasy sports, (unlike his beloved Yankees, did i mention, they suck?) missed one week and is still in the top 10. Shame on all of you who are below him and have played every week.

6. To further illustrate this, Scott last year never had a week below 40 points. Over the first 7 weeks, 5 have had a national average of below 30 points with someone, not sure how, picking a perfect 55 points each week.

CRAP!!! CRAP!!!! 1-1 after 1 inning.

So, we are more than half way through the season with only 6 weeks left. Only 33 points separate 1st from 10th place. Still a lot of football to be played (hows that for cliche?) I will recap the season even if I don't get to do another blog before the end of the season. Money is still on the line and it should be interesting down the stretch. Good luck to all.

Have to go concentrate on the Sox, as Jackie used to say, catch you burgers on the flip side.

Official Start 2007 Season

Well it is officially here, Fall Football. It is hard to imagine this weather is in any way related to fall. With record highs being broken nearly every day and sweating your butt off just going from the car to the house, it is difficult to get ready for football but in just 20 days the season will kick off. Footballs are flying through the air all over the country and fans are eagerly awaiting the first kick-off to their favorite's first game. Each team is looking for a great season but many will be disappointed along with their fans. There are so many questions to be answered this year:

• Will Carter try to repeat her winning ways of 2006?


• Will someone be able to knock Big Jay from his second place finish last year?


• Will someone please keep that Yankee (Boo, Hiss) fan out of the top three?


• Will Alabama go back to their winning ways with Nick Saban at the helm? (Does anyone care outside of the state of AL care?)


• Will Auburn beat Alabama once again in the Iron Bowl? (See note above)


• What BCS Bowl Game will Notre Dame be invited to with their 7-5 record?


• Will the originators of this group actually pay to play this year?


• Will Paul Noto play the entire season or will he take a weekend off like last year?


• Will Lin Stokes join so Amy Roche can live up to her game name?


• Will North Carolina serously consider dropping their football program to 1-AA?

There are many other questions and I'm sure you have some of your own but the fact is; it just doesn't matter until the games start. Regardless, of which team is your favorite, where else can you get excited about Fresno State and San Diego State which starts at 11:00 PM on a Saturday night? You know that which ever team you picked has to come through because you foolishly put 9 points on them. Oh the pressure has caused many competitors to leave the group because they just can't take it. Wussies!!

We now have 13 members signed up to play and many of them have already paid. How about you, have you decided to put your money where your mouth is and risk your weekely allowance to play?

Just 20 days to get your money into the offices of GG/BG Sports. Don't delay, do it today.

13 Weeks Goes By FAST!!!!!

It all started with a few emails and the SI Pre-Season issue and everyone was getting excited about football. That was back in August and we started this little game on September 2nd. It seems like a long time ago but it sure went by fast. The season is over and we have a new champion for this season, a newcomer to the winners circle and one repeat winner. But before we get to the winners let's look back on the season with some of the highlights and lowlights.

In our group we had:
- 12 people get perfect scores one week or another
- Three people had multiple perfect scores
- Calvin Carter(Youngest Member) - 3 weeks of perfect scores
- Big Jay Roche(Oldest Member) - 2 weeks of perfect scores
- Kathy Carter - 2 weeks of perfect scores
- Only one member had no weeks below 40 points - Scott St. Joseph
- Week 8 had 9 perfect scores and only one score below 50 (must have been an easy week)
- We had 23 people start the group and most finished. 16 paid to play
- We had 8 people take at least one week off from competition.(Not a sure fire way to win)
- Our top ten all picked over 90% for the season

Our top three:
- Only 7 points separated first from third
- Our #1 came in the top 2400 across the country
- Our #2 was in the top 5300
- Our #3 was in the top 5800
- This is out of over 228,000 entries across the country.

Individual Awards:

Most Consistent = Scott St. Joseph Never had any week below 40 points and had 5 weeks over 50
Highest High/Lowest Low = Calvin Carter Our youngest competitor had 3 perfect scores, 5 weeks over 50 AND the group's lowest score of 20 in the third week. (He coulda been a contenda)
Come Back of the Year = Kathy Carter 2005 was in the lower echelon and 2006, 5 weeks over 50 points, only one week below 40 (39 in week 11)
Rookie of the Year: We had many people who easily could have won this honor IF they had competed each week BUT for some inexplicable reason took at least one week off. Contenders included Adam Bailey, Liz Melfi, Jon Beemer, Pat Noto. Better luck next year.

Finally THE WINNERS:
First Place: Kathy Carter $80.00
Second Place: Big Jay Roche $48.00
Third Place: Scott St. Joseph $32.00