2014 MAC Pick 'Em Challenge

[jpfalcon09]

Hello everyone! Its that time again as we prepare for the 2014 college football season, and in particular BGSU football and MACtion! I have contacted those who won last year with details to receive their prizes, and I appreciate everyone's involvement last year.

This year I wanted to get some feedback as I'm thinking to going with a spread based version of the game. Lines would be used from the initial setting, typically set Sunday night or Monday. Or, we can do the old format of simply picking a team straight up. Whatever ends up getting more votes will be the format we use so your input is appreciated. The deadline for voting will be Friday, August 22nd.

[footballguy51]

I'll be honest. I never really understood the spread or how it worked.

[Falcon137]

Spread is more fun. Straight up can get pretty easy. There are only a few toss up games each week.

With the spread you have to actually think about Florida v EMU or BG v UMass. Wasn't the winner something like 90-15 last year picking games? With the spread most people would be between 40-50% and if you are in the 60% range....you should quit your job and move to Vegas.

[Falcon137]

I'll be honest. I never really understood the spread or how it worked.

Example. This is the opening BG @ WKU line. *From 5 Dimes.

Bowling Green -6.5 at Western Kentucky, 7 pm

If you think BG will win be 7 or more you pick Bowling Green. If you think WKU will lose by 6 or less or win outright, you pick WKU.

[BGFalconfromCincy]

Spread is more fun. Straight up can get pretty easy. There are only a few toss up games each week.

That's why I voted for spread, adds a little bit more of a challenge compared to just straight up winner. Though from the looks right now its not looking good for the spread

[daspollak]

We could include a money line for straight up games.

[hustledouble]

I vote for spread as well. A little more challenging, and also it will allow the leader board to move a little bit from week to week. Last season I was in the lead for most of the season, but we had a lot of obvious games at the end of the year so really most people's picks were the same, which made it easy to stay ahead. That is, of course, until I collapsed in the last week.

Speaking of, I received my 2nd place prize from last year today! Awesome! Thanks JPFalcon09, ya lovable son of a such and such

[kdog27]

I voted to keep it the same as we always have but I think you guys are right the spread would make it a lot more challenging. It's difficult to make up ground in the current format.

[Critical Thinker]

[jpfalcon09]

I've thought about either doing both or assigning a confidence number to each pick for points, something that will lead to a greater variation and make it more challenging.

[jpfalcon09]

Alright, so its clear that the straight up format is preferred among a majority of posters so we'll keep that for this year. I am however going to introduce a confidence number for the games which will be used to calculate the standings this year. Some of you might be familiar with this from ESPN's Bowl Mania game. The number will be based on the number of MAC games each week. You simply state who is going to win along with the number. You cannot use the same number twice in one week, so if there are 8 games in a week then your picks must be ranked 1-8 in terms of how confident you feel about your decision. There will be no penalty for incorrect picks, just no points awarded for that game. I'm hoping this will encourage people to take more risks in picking games and help spread out the standings a bit. I'll be posting the Week 1 slate of games in the near future.