SPS Week 14, It All Ends, and UK/UT Sports Updates

Sorry for the slight delay on the SPS this week folks.  We had folks strewn about the Southeast this weekend and didn’t get things rolling prior to Turkey Day.  Below, you won’t find any football helmets, but you’ll at least get the SPS in all its text happy glory.  Also, I’ll try to total things up as well. 

UK/UT sports were important this weekend because the two teams collided on the gridiron, and it wasn’t pretty.  Tennessee owned the whole game against the Cats from the commonwealth.   Phil Fulmer Day, Senior Day, and a UK team that has been completely sliding backwards the entire year combined for a beat down at the hands of the Big Orange for the 24th straight time.  I didn’t get to see a lot of the game and TGC will surely have more to say about this emotional day in UT sports, so I’ll let it go at that.

On the hardwood the Vols have put together an impressive run this week holding off a good Sienna team and beating Georgetown (both by double digits).  They take on the #10 Zags tonight and will look to run their record to 6-0.  Tyler Smith has been leading the way with Cam Tatum, J.P. Prince, and big Wayne stepping up and putting double digits points up so far.  Bobby Maze and Scotty Hop have been providing a good balance at the guard position and Maze is averaging over 6 assists a game for the Vols.

The basketball Cats had themselves a fine weekend.  In another UK event that I was unable to watch (no ESPNU at the Louisville locale I was tucked away in for the weekend) the Cats held of the Wildcats of K. State on Friday night to secure a berth in the championship of the Random Tournamnet in Las Vegas.  Kentucky held a large advantage throughout periods of the game but K. State made it close in the end.  In the championship Kentucky came out flatter than their football team in the first half.  The seocond half was all UK though and they took the tournament with an 11 point win at the hands of West Viriginia.  Jodie Meeks was named MVP of the tournament after pouring in 37 on Friday and 19 on Saturady (12 of 12 at the free throw line).  Pat Pat player well enough over the weekend when given the ball and Harellson played fairly well in reserve as well.  Porter saw his playing time limited on Saturday as Liggins played most of the game, after he refused to play on Friday.  I still am not sure we’ve got the whole story of that event, but in any case it’s good to see the kid get out there and play pretty well.

Well, that’s it for the sports round up, on to the SPS.

 

For the week I have Matt Jones and Sir Richard leading the way with 8 each and SmoothRon, Holly, and Spanklin drawing up the rear with 4 each.  Here’s the list.

Holly 4
ExtraP 5
PB 7
MJ 8
Burnsy 5
Spank 4
Sir R 8

TGC 7
eDay 6
2SL 5
Smooth 4
BW 6
Bru 5
TheW 5

 

That brings the season totals to…Homers 583, Awayers 531.  And the championship of the singles division…

eDay  94
BW 92
MJ 89
2SL 88
Holly 84
Burnsy 82
TheW 80
Smooth 78
TGC 77
Bru 74
EP 73
Spank 70
Sir R 69
PB  64

 

Thanks to everyone for playing and all the great comments throughout the year (sorry for the times when we didn’t get them in).  We promise to do things better next year, somehow, but again thanks for playing, picking, being funny and joining in.  Until next year, go fuck yourselves!

Pickem Scramble Week 13 – It’s Thankstaking! You’re welcome!

 

It is almost that time of year.  And around here, it means that it IS that time of year…

The APIAS.net crew will be celebrating a epic tradition this weekend, Thankstaking.  Starting with Friday night’s Thankstaking feast, which has all the charm of your normal Thanksgiving feast–turkey,  ham, devilled eggs, booze, fistfights, blood, cops–you know, the usual, with one charming exception.

We’re not thankful. You are. 

Today is the day when we reflect on all the good and great things we’ve given the world this year.

Here’s a brief list from your neighborhood cowboy.  More during the official carving of the beast.

Tennessee football, you’re welcome.  You’re welcome for my purchase of ESPN Gameplan to watch 7 (and counting) losses. 

Tigers baseball (and mlb.tv) you’re welcome for the $20 a month eDay and I dropped to watch the Tigs and A’s lose a collective 174 games (and yes, this includes the play-in game).  

Blogfrica, you’re welcome for all the ADD wit and charm we supply you with on a semi-regular basis.   Oh and for the completely and semi-ridiculous live-blogs.

Eday, 2SL, and Smooth, you’re welcome for all my failed attempts to teach you how to use Excel and Paint.  Seriously guys?!? 

SPS Field, you’re welcome for my giving you plenty of time to get your ten (10!) picks and a few witty comments in and for not reaching through the internet’s tubes at you for causing me to have to throw it together late, and without complete graphics, almost every week.  You’re all welcome.

To anyone I’ve forgotten:  You’re welcome.  And do a better job of getting me to notice you next year.

I’m taking this week off from calculating totals and whatnot, but I think E is still rolling the field.  Whatever.

On to this week’s games.  And you’re welcome.

Pickem Scramble Week 11: Free ACC title, this way

Let’s start off this week with a look at last week’s storyline questions.

Q: What will Urban do in response to Celegate? 
A: An end-to-end ass-kicking involving two timeouts called in the last 2 minutes, up 40.  Point Meyer.

Q: Can Leach finally get over the Texas hump and have a less-than-4-loss season? 
A: It looks that way.  An ill-advised double-coverage pass to Crabtree after a dropped game-ending pick by the Longhorn D may have solidified the best Mike Leach record ever.

Q: Can Spurrier put the final nail in the coffin? 
A: Um. Yes.  And then, in a way only he can, somehow drive it deeper, “Congratulate him on hitting that lottery ticket, that’s a big ticket.  He got a big one.  He got the best deal ever, I think.”

Q: Can Sly Croom’s genius manifest once more?
A: Nope.  Even the SCG can’t defeat Randall Cobb.  He’s a winner.

This week’s storylines.  Does anyone want to win the ACC?   Hell, does anyone want to win a DIVISION in the ACC?  Can Michigan hold on to a second half lead?  Can Coach Cut corral the Cameron Crazies and make a bowl run?  Is Brian Kelly ready to step up to the big stage and knock off a hot WFV team?  Can Leach keep this crazy Pirate ship afloat?

On to this week’s games!

Pickem Scramble Week 10: They’re saying Booo-urns

 Not a very good homerrific week around these parts, but as you can see, we’ve put it behind us admirably moved on to basketball.  Eday won the week, leads the scramble, yet will be attending the Blue and White game on Saturday (you know, that one thing where 24,000 Kentucky fans pay money to go to a practice… no not that… that was banned.  I mean this.)   Matt Jones, probably covered up with recruit interviews, Camp Keightly, and bussing BCG around, couldn’t be found this week, though we’ll make every attempt to find him before the games.  The football games, that is.

As you can see in the sidebar, TheW was not rewarded for winning the comments (Corky’s… haha…) yet sits tied with yours truly, as we all look up at Holly and E.  Burnsy is making an impressive run this year so far, probably due to the lack of obligatory Kevin Smith ogling weighing him down.

Some interesting story lines this weekend.  What will Urban do in response to Celegate?  Can Leach finally get over the Texas hump and have a less-than-4-loss season?  Can Spurrier put the final nail in the coffin?  Can Sly Croom’s genius manifest once more?

On to the picks…

Pickem Scramble Week 9: I hate Alabama

Yes children, it’s Bama week.  That special time of year when the leaves are turning orange, the windows are open, and we must monitor our profanity at the television.  It’s beautiful.  And I know I know, we’re 3-4, they’re unde(coughcough).  But [rivalry game cliches] so anything can happen.  And judging by the first incoming picks from both Homers and Awayers, some of you feel that way too.

Last week BobWicket and–wait this can’t be right–Bru(?) win the week!  Spanklin takes home his first Awayer title, and Eday doesn’t do much to let anyone catch him.  A 3 way tie for overall second has emerged with Holly continuing her consistent dominance of the rest of the males, BobWicket still on his honeymoon high, and Jonesy with his predictable success.  (I hope you gamble, Matt.)

Several good BCS games this week involving other undefeated teams highlight this week’s CFB lineup.  That probably means more separation between the leaders and the rest.  And Tulsa makes its SPS debut!

On to this week’s games!

Sandwich Pickem Scramble Week 5: has anyone seen my Elliott Smith record?

The king’s crossing was the main attraction
Dominoes falling in a chain reaction
A scraping subject ruled by fear
Told me whiskey works better than beer

It’s been that kind of week.  As Eric once told me, a “lonesome highway kinda sound” kinda week.  A coming-to-terms kind of moment.  A moment of clarity.  Recognition.  Sheer sheer sadness.  I could only, of course, be talking about football.

But as with many things in life, football always promises life anew.  A new week.  A new season.  A new (cough) coach?

Anyway, let’s take a quick look at the standings.  Eday is plowing everybody but Holly.  Holly is plowing everybody else.  And WordPress® still won’t let me hightlight, copy, or paste into a goddam widget, so the standings will be all out of sorts on the right until i get unlazy.

Kyle King for DawgSports.com has bowed out of the competition.  We’ve replaced him with Super Monday regular Sir Richard Claverhouse Jebb, one of the wittiest Irish bastards we ever had the pleasure to discuss major league baseball with. (Yeah, it was odd to us that a thick black Irish like Sir Richard was an MLB fan, but his knowledge was quite impressive, so now we’ll see how he does in CFB.)  We set his points even with PB’s who was in last going into the week (although I still think we might owe him a week’s reprieve after, you know, trying to avoid a hurricane).  More on that later.

Big thanks to E for managing this piece while I was pluggin’ toward the River.

On to this week’s games!

APIAS Pickem Scramble Week 4: It is officially time to PANIC!

TGC out of town?  Check.  eDay on the road?  Check.  Lots of late picks?  Check.  A blogger dropping out?  Check. 

Wow, TGC turns this thing over to me for one week and all Hell breaks loose.  But that won’t stop SPS baby!  Right now we’ll be giving you everybody’s quotes from the week at large.  Later, we’ll have everyone’s picks up as well, so never fear.

Burnsy has contracted gonnasyphillAIDS (again?), Holly is on the road, and several folks just didn’t have time for the funny this week.  But there was still a lot of good stuff folks, Holly did have time for this one gem.

On the road for work, so this’ll have to be quick and dirty.  Like TGC in the sheets (ba-zow!).

 

APIAS Pickem Scramble Week 3: Woops I drank Smooth’s birthday

 

So this bad boy is going up late, and is being typed at 2:34 a.m. East Coast time on Saturday morning.  Regardless of the fact that we still have yet to see picks from 3 of the players… it’s still Smoothron’s birthday and BobWicket was making it rain in [LOCATION REDACTED].  Honestly, the fact that I can still work the keyborad should garner a standing ovation.

I would however like to apologize to Marikka’s and [FORMER KENTUCKY SHOOTING GUARD REDACTED]’s house for drinking all their beer.

Also Burnsy apparently just told Smooth via facebook chat (yeah… gay!) that all his roommates were trying to bang the same chick.  (While he was facebook chatting) Nice effort B.

Per Eday’s advice, I’ll throw this up on the front page.  Upon reading the email that reminded SPS participants that picks were due in a few hours, I got this back from sell-out and ESPN The Mag writer ERIC!!! ANGEVINE!!! (Extra P to those who knew him before, Yoda to those who discussed the post-Wilco Jay Farrar live on Super Monday.)

 To show you what a nerd I am, I have a to-do list for every day, and one of the items on it is APIAS.

Also, I think Holly’s winning.

APIAS Pickem Scramble Week 2: The Bobby Johnson Invasion WILL be televised!

Stop the presses!  Could Bobby Johnson be this year’s Sly Croom?  The next man to be donned with Genius status by the one and only BobWicket of the Nobel Foundation*?  Or is owning Steve Spurrier really anything to tout these days?  Discuss.

So last night’s Vandy/SC got us all geeked for this week’s amazing matchups right?!?  Okay no.  The continued pwnage of Steve Inferior aside, not a whole lot good going on this week.  Can Urban break the UM curse?  How will Tebow fare in the rain?  Is Harbaugh’s undefeated record a fluke?  That’s about all the worthwhile headlines I can think of.  And way too many questions to start off a post with.  So… er… sorry?

Last week the swiss-cheese Tennessee Prevent made Burnsy (8) out to be a prophet.  Which I think we’re all in agreement is not a good thing.  KSR’s Jones (whom I’ve yet to here from this week) also notched a first place finish.  Rounding out the Awayers were Holly with 7 and a gutsy UK pick and a sad sad email dap to yours truly on Tuesday, Bean and Spanky (6) didn’t fare as well as predicted–you went with Bowden? Zook?–and the late arriving TKK’s picks (who apparently is playing hooky with Matty) garnering a generous 5.

The Awayers take the early lead 46-41, thanks to the APIAS expert gambler/bona fide newspaperman going a combined 10-20 (I’m talking to you Smooth and Bru).  Last year’s champ Eday (6) is rewarded for his homerism, but dewarded for betting against the Hawkinses.  Last week’s home team champs (COUGH) me and W could only muster up 7 winners, while BobWicket, Clemson, and Temple also notched a 6.

In other news, if you don’t get your picks in by the deadline, I’m putting whatever helmets I think will kick your ass into gear in your column.  Bladdaaaww!

On to this weeks games!

Sandwich Pick’em Scramble: Week 1 – Awayyy we goop!

Welcome, welcome.  It is that time again!  And I for one could not be more excited.  The leaves are falling off the trees.  We’re skipping out of work earlier, and kickoff is a few mere hours away.  I can almost smell the Burgoo, I can almost taste the Jack and Pepto, and I can almost feel the orange courduroy on my legs.  It’s football time.

We’ve expanded this year from 10 to 14 participants (including one still MIA), and in doing so I have knowingly created hell for myself, and still don’t know why.  The old organizing bloggers to herding cats analogy didn’t take too long to manifest, as 8 of the 14 participants missed the initial deadline… IN THE FIRST WEEK!  What have I done?

At any rate, let’s move on to take a quick look at this year’s enhanced panel.  Returning for the Awayers:

The always lovely Tennessee-girl-gone-west, Holly from EDSBS and Snarkastic.  Glad to hear that living in LA for the past few years hasn’t erased the beautiful East Tennessee accent.

The premiere Texas Footblogger, Peter Bean from Burnt Orange Nation.   I still respect this man as much as any blogger around for taking the opportunity we’ve all wished for at one time or another and calling Paul Finebaum a motherfucker live on the air of a sports show.  Was that a sports show?

Contributor to damn near every sports publication around–including ESPN.com, Storming The Floor, and Chicago Sports Weekly–Eric Angevine (Extra P)–the only Kansas football fan living outside the state. 

Noted Kentucky Sports author and radio personality, Matt Jones of Kentucky Sports Radio and Louisville’s ESPN Radio show, Sports Night.  I still say Matt should have Kige on his show one day.

The leading man at the leading Georgia Bulldog site, dawgsports.com, T. Kyle King.  Since 2006, TKK has been runner up twice for best SEC blog in the CFB Awards, which is actually much better than the actual Dawgs have done in the SEC East over the same time frame… so that’s er… good, right?

The reigning title-holder of “Orlando’s Funniest Blogger”, actual journalist, and the self proclaimed man-about-town and all-around manimal, Burnsy–a UCF grad and fan.

Burnsy’s Cohort from pseudo-politico blog Red, White, and Dude, Benjamin Spanklin will be joining us this year as well.  Benny claims Arizona as his football team.  I guess that says something.

Meet the 2008 Homers after the jump.