December 13, 2012

Pigskin Picks Players Have Made Their Picks

The Invitational is happy to present the 2012-2013 Bowl Edition of Pigskin Picks.  We would like to introduce our field of 24 players trying to pick the winners of 35 games.  The final winners will receive some very nice gifts.  Rules for this contest are very simple - just pick the winner of each game.  No point spreads are used, and no money exchanges hands.  The tiebreaker score will be used to "settle the score" if needed.  Throughout the Bowl Championship Series, we will post updates and standings on our leaderboard following play.  If the winning player correctly chooses 31 games, they will win a charcoal grill valued at $150.  Contact us at johnsara@belsouth.net.

WHAT A GREAT FIELD OF PLAYERS FOR THIS YEAR'S CONTEST.  SARA 
AND I THANK YOU FOR PLAYING AND SUPPORTING THE BLOG.
IF WEST VIRGINIA, NOTRE DAME, GEORGIA AND SOUTH CAROLINA ALL
WIN, THERE WILL BE A BIG PARTY AT THE ALE HOUSE IN THE VISTA !!
IF NOTRE DAME WINS, LOOK OUT FRIENDS, JOHN AND KIEL COULD BE
BUYING A FEW DRINKS.  HERE COME THE IRISH!!!  ALL PLAYERS
HAVE OFFERED CONDOLENCES TO SARA ON BALL STATE'S LOSS.
JUST WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR HONEY, THEY  WILL BE BACK.




 
Let's Meet the Players!!
 
 
 
Sara, aka "The Blogette":  The Blogette isn't sure she has been the same since The Great Squirrel Incident in June.  Caught by surprise when said squirrel was caught in a trap in the Beckman attic on that fateful day, she perforated her eardrum with a Q-Tip.  Yes, we all know we aren't supposed to clean out the ears with such a dangerous device, but we also all know that "everyone does it".  In golf, in sports and in life....timing is everything.  Sara is chalking up the incident to bad luck and bad timing and has agreed to sound off on her picks, even though she is recovering from ear surgery and can only hear about half of what is said (and is quite selective about hearing anything John says!)  Her picks:    
               
   Arizona         Utah St     San Diego St    Ball State        East Carolina
   Washington   SMU        Central Mich     Baylor             Cincinnati
   San Jose St    La Monroe   Va. Tech       Texas Tech     Air Force
  West Virginia  Ariz St        Oregon St.       Michigan St     Vanderbilt
   Southern Cal   Iowa St.   LSU                 Northwestern     Purdue
   Michigan        Georgia    Texas A&M    Ole Miss           Kent St.
   Stanford          Fla. St.     Flordia             Oregon            Notre Dame  

Tiebreaker Game LSU-Clemson 59 points
.


 
 
Rob Catlett:  Rob is the golf pro at the new Dick's Sporting Goods Store in northeast Columbia.  He is originally from Mullins, SC and has been in the golf business for 18 years as a PGA professsional.  This family man loves to duck-hunt and plays golf in his spare time.   Rob invites you to stop by and see him at Dick's for all your golfing needs.  His picks:
 
  Nevada         Toledo         San Diego St     Central Fla        East Carolina
  Washington     Fresno St  Western Ky       UCLA               Cincinnati
   Bowling Green   Ohio     Va Tech            Texas Tech        Air Force
   West Virginia  Arizona St     Oregon St   TCU                   Vanderbilt
   Southern Cal    Tulsa       LSU                  Miss. State         Oklahoma St
   South Carolina   Georgia  Texas A&M     Ole Miss             Kent St
   Stanford         Flordia St    Florida             Oregon               Alabama
 
Tiebreaker Game LSU-Clemson 56 points
 
 
 
 
Jamie Mabe:  Congrats to this recent Clemson grad - - You finally made it, buddy!  Jamie is getting ready to jump into the big, wide world in January.  He is excited about getting started in a new job and eager to begin making some serious bucks.  Work will occupy a lot of his former free time, making it tough for Jamie to work in his other usual hobbies - Lauren, golf, and sports - especially Wolfpack basketball.  Hoping to improve on his bowl picks from last year (tying for last place), he has submitted the following picks:
 
    Arizona        Utah St         San Diego St   Central Fla       East Carolina
    Washington  Fresno St       Western Ky    San Jose St       Cincinnati
    UCLA     Louisiana Monroe  Rutgers       Texas Tech       Air Force
    Navy            West Virginia   Oregon St     TCU                 NC State
    Southern Cal   Tulsa           LSU                 Oklahoma St    Miss State 
    South Carolina  Georgia     Stanford           Fla State           Florida
    Oregon         Texas A&M    Pitt                  Kent St             Alabama
 
    Tiebreaker Game LSU-Clemson 38 points
 
 
 
     
 
Jason and Logan:  Son-in-law Jason and grandson Logan have once again entered the field all the way from Indiana.  Last year, Team Who-Day finshed tied for 8th place, and we aren't sure which one is team captain.  We do know that they are serious followers of Notre Dame football, Indiana basketball and the Cincinnati Bengals.  They have been studying the bowl picture and are hoping for a top finish.  Their picks:
 
  Nevada            Toledo         San Diego St    BALL STATE     East Carolina
  Boise St           Fresno St     Central Mich    UCLA                  Cincinnati
  San Jose St      Ohio             Rutgers            Texas Tech          Air Force
  West Virginia  Navy            Oregon St        Michigan St         NC State
   Southern Cal   Tulsa            LSU                Miss St                 Oklahoma St
   South Carolina  Georgia      Texas A&M    Ole Miss              Kent St
   Stanford         Fla State       Florida              Oregon                 Notre Dame
 
Tiebreaker Game LSU-Clemson 32 points
 
 
 
 
Amanda Mitchum:  Born and raised a Gamecock fan in the Columbia area, Amanda has a degree from Midlands Tech and works at the bar at Carolina Ale House in the Vista.  She would love to be a sports journalist or working for a pro basketball or football team in the future.  Her picks:
 
 
Nevada         Utah St        San Diego St      Ball St          East Carolina
Boise St        Fresno St     Central Mich      UCLA          Cincinnati
San Jose St    Ohio            Rutgers              Texas Tech   Air Force
Syracuse       Arizona St    Oregon St          Michigan St  Vanderbilt
Southern Cal  Tulsa           LSU                   Miss State    Oklahoma St
South Carolina  Georgia    Texas A&M      Ole Miss       Arkansas St
Stanford        Fla State        Florida              Oregon           Alabama
 
Tiebreaker Game LSU-Clemson 33 points
 
 
 
 
 
 
Steve Price:  A regular pigskin picker,  Steve is sales manager for Bruce Jenner Aviation, and also manages Sundance Motors in West Columbia.  He's a big sports fan, and you can find him enjoying a game along side a cold bottle of Miller beer.  This past winner of the 2012 Masters Mix on the blog obviously knows something about picking a winner.  His picks:
 
 
Nevada        Utah St         San Diego St    Central Fla       Louisiana-Laf
Boise St       Fresno St      Central Mich    San Jose St      Cincinnati
UCLA    Louisiana- Mon   Rutgers           Texas Tech      Air Force
Arizona St  West Virginia  Oregon St       TCU                Vanderbilt
Southern Cal    Tulsa         LSU                  Northwestern  Oklahoma St
South Carolina  Georgia    Stanford            Northern Ill.    Flordia
Oregon         Oklahoma     Ole Miss            Kent St           Alabama
 
Tiebreaker Game LSU-Clemson 63 points
 
 
 
 
 
Kiel Ott:  Originally from Maryland, Kiel attended the University of South Carolina.  He is a huge sports fan and fortunately works at Carolina Ale House's Vista location as a bartender, where he can keep an eye on all the action.  He is shown here proudly wearing  his Notre Dame hat.  Go Irish!  It is the blog's understanding that if Notre Dame wins the National Championship, Taylor will wear a kilt while working along side his buddy Kiel  His picks:
 
 
Nevada      Utah St             San Diego       Central Fla       Louisiana Laf.
Boise St       Fresno St       Central Mich    UCLA             Cincinnati
San Jose St   Louisiana Monroe  Rutgers   Texas Tech      Air Force
West Virginia   Navy          Oregon St        TCU                NC State
Southern Cal    Tulsa          LSU                  Northwestern  Oklahoma St
South Carolina   Georgia    Texas A&M      Pitt.                 Kent St
Stanford        Fla State         Florida             Oregon            Notre Dame
 
Tiebreaker Game LSU-Clemson  35 points
 
 

 

 
 
Jim Beckman:  Known on the blog as "Brutus", Jim is a faithful fan of Ohio State sports, gin and tonics, and wife Rhonda ... but not necessarily in that order.  Here he is shown toasting a ND win, since OSU is on hold until next year.  This bowl season, Jim is likely to pull out tapes of this year's 12 Buckeye wins.  He took time off from the golf course in Florida to select these picks:
 
 
Arizona        Utah St         BYU                 Ball State             East Carolina
Boise St        Fresno St      Central Mich    UCLA                  Cincinnati
Bowling Green   Ohio      Rutgers               Texas Tech            Rice
West Virginia   Arizona St   Oregon St       TCU                    Vanderbilt
Southern Cal     Tulsa          LSU                Northwestern       Oklahoma St
South Carolina   Georgia    Texas A&M     Ole Miss              Arkansas St
Stanford         Fla State       Florida              Oregon                Alabama
 
Tiebreaker Game LSU-Clemson 67 points
 
 
 

 
 
Wes Graves:  Currently living in Augusta, Wes is formerly from the Fort Wayne, IN area.  An avid golfer and big sports fan, he can bring life to any foursome with his funny stories and antics on the course.  His golf game could use some work, and he and John frequently compare horror stories from their experiences on the course (a few cold brews always solves the problems)  He is hoping the prize for winning this Bowl Edition of Pigskin Picks is a lesson from Rob at Dick's (see above) or possibly some damn good advice on how to play the game..  Wes says it's time for a change from SEC teams winning the BCS, so he's going with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.  His picks:
 
 
Nevada            Utah St             San Diego St    Ball State         Louisiana Laf.
Boise St           Fresno St          Central Mich    San Jose St      Cincinnati
Baylor              Louisiana M    Va Tech           Texas Tech       Rice
West Virginia   Arizona St       Texas               TCU                 NC State
Southern Cal     Tulsa               Clemson          Northwestern   Oklahoma St
South Carolina  Georgia           Stanford            Northern Ill.    Florida
Oregon              Texas A&M    Ole Miss           Kent State       Notre Dame
 
 Tiebreaker Game LSU-Clemson  37 points
 
 
 
Robert Peeler:  Robert is a self-proclaimed sports junkie.  He carries around a mini-computer in which he has created many files of sports information.  It is stored under that white hat in his brain.  Robert is a former Clemson student and sometime professional caddy.  Currently, he is getting ready for the Web.com Tour in February 2013.  That means hitting the gym lifting weights in preparation for carrying that big bag, and battling the elements over long-yardage courses.  His picks: 
 
 
Arizona          Utah St         San Diego St     Ball State       Louisiana Laf
Boise St          Fresno St      Western Ky      San Jose St     Duke
UCLA             Louisiana M  Rutgers           Texas Tech     Air Force
Arizona St       West Virginia   Oregon St    TCU               Vanderbilt
Southern Cal    Iowa St         LSU                 Oklahoma St  Northwestern
South Carolina  Georgia        Stanford          Fla State         Florida
Oregon            Oklahoma      Ole Miss          Kent St           Alabama
 
 Tiebreaker Game LSU-Clemson 48 points


 
 
 
 
Chris Johnson:  Chris is a fan of the Indianapolis Colts, and is pleased by their progress under rookie quarterback Andrew Luck.  He is still a follower of  Peyton Manning, and now keeps tabs on the Denver Broncos as well.  When not following pro football, Chris can be found managing the meat department at the Sparkleberry Kroger store.  He is from Muncie, Indiana and hopes to conclude with a better finish than last year's bowl picks.  His picks:
 
 
Arizona           Utah St             BYU              Ball State            East Carolina
Boise St           Fresno St         Western Ky    Baylor                Cincinnati
San Jose St       Ohio              Virginia Tech   Texas Tech        Air Force
West Virginia   Navy              Oregon St        Michigan St       Vanderbilt
Southern Cal     Iowa St          LSU                 Miss St.             Oklahoma St
South Carolina   Nebraska       Texas A&M    Ole Miss           Arkansas St
Stanford          Northern Ill.      Florida            Oregon              Notre Dame
 
Tiebreaker Game LSU-Clemson 56 points
 
 
 


 
Brian Anderson:  This service manager at Mastercraft in Northeast Columbia is our go-to guy when it comes to car repair, and he has provided us with many a rescue. He is looking forward to some of that fudge, since he has sampled it on some holiday cookie platters in the past.  He's a huge Gamecock fan and 18-year season ticker holder. Brian enjoys a good joke and understands John's way with cars.  Drive in to their Two Notch Road location if your car is in need of any repairs.  Brian
will always give you a fair price to fix your car. His picks:
 
 
 
Nevada          Utah St             San Diego St     Ball State       East Carolina
Boise St       Fresno St           Western Ky.       UCLA            Cincinnati
Bowling Green   Louisiana M    Rutgers         Minnesota       Air Force
West Virginia   Navy            Oregon St            TCU               Vanderbilt
Southern Cal    Tulsa            LSU                     Northwestern  Purdue
South Carolina    Georgia      Oklahoma           Pitt                  Kent St
Stanford          Northern Ill.    Florida                Oregon          Alabama 
 
 Tiebreaker Game LSU-Clemson 45 points 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Marisa Minico:  Marisa is a New Yorker and went to school in Long Island.  She now bartends at the Carolina Ale House in the Vista, and you can always expect to see that friendly smile.  She and her family are devoted  Ohio State Buckeye fans.  She picked her teams for this contest, but in her heart she is waiting for next year's first dotting of the "I" in the Script Ohio. Looking at her picks we see that she has chosen two big upsets: Louisville over Florida and Northern Illinois beating Florida State.  GO GIRL!!   Her picks:
 
 
Arizona           Utah St              BYU            Central Fla      Louisiana Laf 
Boise St           Fresno St       Central Mich    UCLA            Duke
San Jose St     Ohio                  Rutgers        Texas Tech      Air Force
West Virginia    Navy             Oregon St        TCU               NC State
Southern Cal     Iowa St            LSU              Miss State       Oklahoma St
South Carolina   Georgia         Oklahoma       Pitt                  Kent St
Stanford             Northern Ill.   Louisville       Oregon           Alabama 
 
 Tiebreaker Game LSU-Clemson 25 points
 
 
 

 
 
Bob Abney:  This colorful old-timer from Richmond, IN spent many years living in sunny Florida before returning to his birthplace.  He has participated in almost all of our contests on the blog, tying for 5th place in last year's bowl picks.  He is certain Notre Dame will take down Alabama. His picks:
 
 
Arizona          Utah St          San Diego St      Central Fla      Louisiana Laf
Boise St           Fresno St       Central Mich     UCLA            Cincinnati
San Jose St  Louisiana M  Virginia Tech        Texas Tech      Rice
West Virginia   Arizona St     Oregon St         Michigan St    Vanderbilt
Southern Cal     Tulsa             LSU                   Miss St           Oklahoma St
Michigan           Georgia         Texas A&M       Ole Miss        Arkansas St
Stanford           Fla St               Florida               Oregon          Notre Dame
 
Tiebreaker Game LSU-Clemson 44 points 
 
 
 
 

 
Justin Mehaffey:  This USC graduate is an entrepreneur who is always looking for clever ways to cash in.  Justin is a well-known bartender, who is currently pouring drinks at The Tin Roof in the Vista.  It's no surprise that Justin picked all eight SEC teams as winners.  This is a popular fad with members of the Gamecock Nation.  His picks:
 
 
Arizona       Toledo        San Diego St      Ball State           East Carolina
Boise St       Fresno St    Western Ky        Baylor               Cincinnati
San Jose St   Ohio           Rutgers              Texas Tech        Air Force
West Virginia  Arizona St  Oregon St       TCU                  Vanderbilt
Southern Cal   Tulsa       LSU                    Northwestern    Oaklahoma St
South Carolina   Georgia   Texas A&M     Ole Miss            Kent St
Wisconsin    Fla St         Florida                 Kansas St           Alabama
 
Tiebreaker Game LSU-Clemson- 68 points
 
 
 



 
Daniel Hardy:  Known to close associates as The Wingman, this big boy can really pound some wings, not to mention a brewski or two.  Daniel is a former Spartanburg Methodist Pioneer, who is continuing his studies at USC-Aiken.  As a golfer, he can hit it a long way but doesn't take the game too seriously - - smart thinking!  His picks:
 
 
Nevada          Utah St          BYU                Ball State        Louisiana Laf
Boise St         Fresno St       Western Ky     UCLA             Duke
Bowling Green  Louisiana M  Rutgers       Texas Tech      Air Force
West Virginia   Navy          Texas               Michigan St     NC State
Southern Cal    Iowa St        LSU                Miss St            Oaklahoma St
South Carolina  Georgia     Texas A&M    Pitt                    Kent St
Stanford           Fla St           Florida            Oregon             Alabama
 
Tiebreaker Game LSU-Clemson  50 points
 
 
 
  

 
 
Donnie Lipscomb:  Donnie comes to us by way of world-reknowned Boomer, West Virginia...has anyone ever heard of that place before?  He has been in the restaurant business for 18 years, currently serving as manager at Carolina Ale House.  There is no more loyal WVU Mountaineer fan...and that applies to all sports.  If you stop in to see him in the Vista, ask to see photos of his pride and joy...daughter Jayden.  He will be happy to pull out his phone to show her off.  His picks:
 
 
 
Arizona         Utah St          San Diego St    Ball State      Louisiana Laf
Washington   Fresno St       Central Mich    Baylor          Cincinnati
San Jose St    Louisiana M  Rutgers             Texas Tech   Rice
West Virginia  Arizona St    Oregon St        TCU            Vanderbilt
Southern Cal    Tulsa          LSU                  Northwestern   Oaklahoma St
South Carolina   Georgia      Texas A&M    Ole Miss      Kent St
Stanford         Fla St              Florida             Oregon         Alabama
 
Tiebreaker Game LSU-Clemson  54 points
 
 


 
Marcel Sterling:  This former collegiate hockey player from Michigan is a fun-loving guy.  He is just biding his time with college football, while he waits for the NHL strike to end.  Marcel is one of the few pickers who has chosen the Wolverines over the Gamecocks, so we will not be posting his address here on the blog.  We will be watching his picks closely!  His picks:
 
 
Arizona        Toledo       BYU           Central Fla            East Carolina
Washington  Fresno St   Central Mich   Bowling Green  Duke
UCLA            Ohio       Virginia Tech   Minnesota          Rice
West Virginia  Navy     Texas           TCU                      Vanderbilt
Southern Cal    Tulsa     LSU            Purdue                   Miss State
Michigan       Georgia    Stanford      Northern Ill.          Florida
Oregon        Texas A&M    Pitt         Arkansas St            Alabama
 
Tiebreaker Game LSU-Clemson  51 points
 
 
 


Josh Scott:  Josh leads a double life, working eight months in Columbia with Justin Mehaffey (above)  at the Tin Roof, and returning to Rock Hill each January for tax season to work in the family business. Josh is a great guy and when  reviewing his picks, you will see he is a risk-taker looking for quite a few upsets.  His picks:


Arizona        Utah St           San Diego St     Ball State         East Carolina
Boise St        Fresno St        Central Mich    UCLA               Duke
Bowling Green   Ohio          Rutgers            Texas Tech       Rice
West Virginia   Arizona St    Texas             Michigan St       NC State
Southern Cal     Iowa St      LSU                  Miss St               Purdue
South Carolina    Georgia    Texas A&M     Ole Miss            Arkansas St
Stanford           Northern Ill.  Florida            Oregon               Alabama

Tiebreaker Game LSU-Clemson  52 points




   
 
Taylor Hudson:  A big-time Georgia fan, Taylor is an Augusta native.  He firmly believes the Bulldogs should be in the national championship game, and is still trying to figure out a way for them to beat Alabama.  John and buddy Kiel at CAH are trying hard to convert Taylor to becoming a Golden Domer.  He is obviously not listening to reason since he has picked Bama.Taylor will look so good in that  kilt!!!  32 has made his picks:
 
 
Arizona        Utah St          BYU              Ball State           East Carolina
Boise St        Fresno St      Western Ky   Baylor                Cincinnati
San Jose St    Ohio              Rutgers         Texas Tech         Rice
West Virginia  Arizona St   Oregon St      Michigan St      Vanderbilt
Southern Cal   Tulsa            LSU              Miss St               Oaklahoma St
South Carolina   Georgia     Texas A&M  Ole Miss            Kent St
Stanford          Fla St            Florida           Oregon              Alabama
 
Tiebreaker Game LSU-Clemson  68 points
 

 
Ronnie Platner:  Originally from Augusta, Ronnie currently lives in Lexington.  He owns a surveying company, and loves to fish and golf in his spare time.  Ladies, he is available and is looking for that special someone.  He is confident that he has picked at least 30 games correctly, and will be watching the bowl action from his house at the lake. ( Bud Lite man ) His picks:
 
 
Arizona           Toledo       BYU               Central Fla         East Carolina
Washington     SMU         Western Ky     UCLA               Cincinnati
Bowling Green  Ohio        Rutgers           Texas Tech        Air Force
Syracuse           Navy         Oregon St       TCU                  Vanderbilt
Southern Cal    Tulsa          LSU                Miss State        Oklahoma St
South Carolina  Georgia     Texas A&M   Ole Miss           Arkansas St
Stanford            Fla State    Florida           Oregon               Alabama 
 
Tiebreaker Game LSU-Clemson  50 points
 
 

 

 
 
Kenny Wilhelm:  Kenny is known to his golfing buddies as The Thinman.  He manages a recycling business in Lexington, and loves to play golf.  He is a true gentleman both on and off the course.  He is a huge Gamecock fan and thinks they truly belong in National Championship game.  Wait till next year, Kenny.  His picks:
 
 
Nevada            Toledo         San Diego St    Central Fla          East Carolina
Washington       Fresno St     Western Ky     UCLA                 Cincinnati
San Jose St        Louisiana M   Rutgers         Texas Tech         Rice
West Virginia    Navy           Oregon St         TCU                   Vanderbilt
Southern Cal      Iowa St        LSU                 Northwestern     Oklahoma St
South Carolina   Georgia       Texas A&M     Ole Miss            Kent St
Stanford              Fla St          Florida              Oregon              Alabama
 
Tiebreaker Game LSU-Clemson 54 points
 

 

 
John Gunter:  John is originally from Germany and has lived in Columbia for most of his life.  He is a big Gamecock fan, just like the hometown boys.  He is assistant manage in the meat department of the Sparkleberry Kroger and is always ready with a smile and eager to talk about the daily specials.  He made his picks with a lucky rabbit's foot in his hand.  Who can argue with that strategy? His picks
 
 
Arizona          Toledo        San Diego St      Central Fla        Louisiana Laf
Boise St          Fresno St   Central Mich       UCLA               Cincinnati
San Jose St     Ohio           Virginia Tech      Texas Tech       Rice
Syracuse        Arizona St   Texas                  TCU                 Vanderbilt
Southern Cal   Tulsa          Clemson             Northwestern   Oklahoma St
Michigan       Georgia     Oklahoma           Ole Miss           Arkansas St
Stanford        Fla State       Florida                Oregon             Alabama
 
Tiebreaker Game LSU-Clemson  46 points
   
 

 
 
Paul Milleman:  Paul thinks he can make a living as a professional picker.  He is actually a contractor, whose specialty is boats.  Originally from Michigan, Paul is a Michigan State- Michigan fan and cheers on the Carolina Panthers on Sundays.  He spent a fair amount of time studying the schedule and records before turning in his selections.  His picks: 
 
Arizona        Utah St             BYU            Ball State       Louisiana Laf
Boise St        Fresno St         Western Ky  UCLA           Cincinnati
San Jose St    Ohio                 Rutgers       Minnesota      Air Force
Syracuse       Arizona St       Oregon St     Michigan St   Vanderbilt
Southern Cal   Iowa St          LSU              Miss St          Oklahoma St
South Carolina   Georgia      Texas A&M  Ole Miss        Kent St
Stanford        Fla State          Florida           Kansas St       Alabama
 
Tiebreaker Game LSU-Clemson  52 points 
 
 

 

 


 



 
 

 




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