2015 MAC Pick 'Em Contest

[jpfalcon09]

Hello everyone,

As you are aware, I've been running the MAC Pick 'Em contest for the past few years. Last year, I made a couple changes which seemed to make things a bit more interesting during the season and also added in prizes to encourage participation. My goal this year is to once again bring back the competition, but to possibly incorporate a few changes pending feedback from board members who have played in the past. Attached at the top is a poll for voting on format for this year, please vote and provide replies for feedback.

Last season, I changed the format from simply a picking contest to assigning a confidence number based upon your selection. This was done to provide more variation amongst participants and to encourage some risk taking for people that perhaps found themselves sliding down the standings. I felt this system worked well and provided a simple method for picking. I'm considering bringing this back but also know some folks have preferred a "Vegas-style" system based upon lines set each week for the games. I'd assume people want to continue with the previous method but please vote your choice above.

Secondly, I'm seeking feedback on how picks should be submitted. Previously, I've made all picks public but have come to realize that this leaves open to possibility for picks to be copied by people who are winning to avoid losing points. I'm proposing to have picks submitted via private message to me up until kickoff of the first MAC game of the week. Again, vote above on the poll on which method you prefer.

Finally, last year I funded prize money out of my own pocket. This year, I am considering a monetary donation into a pot that will be divided up at the end of the season by 50/35/15% for the top three finishers. I believe this will incentivize participation during the season as we have had people drop off in previous years towards the middle and end of the season which only left a percentage of players left towards some of the more important games. Simply put, we can either have a system built upon that through a PayPal account that will solely be managed for this game, or the game can be played for bragging rights without any money involved. Typically, prizes have been BG related but this year I am considering having trophies made for the top three finishers this year.

Please vote in the poll above. There are 6 options total, two for each of the topics I've outlined above. Vote for one of the two grouped together and then the official game rules will be enacted on August 1. Thanks for your time and I look forward to another fun year with everyone!

[footballguy51]

How much money would you intend to charge?

[jpfalcon09]

The amount donated will be up to each person. whatever is collected before the beginning of the season will be what's divided up for the end of the contest.

[jpfalcon09]

Everyone,

I have created a PayPal account to house all prize money donated for this year's contest. If you wish to donate, you may send whatever amount you'd like through the PayPal website to the email [email protected].

Only those who donate are eligible to win the prize money. It simply isn't fair to have someone who didn't foot any money to walk away with a large sum. When you donate, please include your AZZ username so I can keep tabs of who has donated. Winnings will be split as follows:

50% for 1st
35% for 2nd
15% for 3rd

If you have any questions leave a reply. The first week's games will be posted on August 27th.