By Brent Malone, Founder
One argument started it all
For more than 25 years. Over 20 champions. One question no one could answer.
Wendy Rowland
2015 Champion
Scotty Boaz
2022 Champion
Courtney Davis
2025 Champion
In 1998, we were just talking trash
A group of us UT alumni went to Tempe and watched the Vols finish undefeated as the first PCS Champions. The next season we kept the group going by email — arguing about every game, and predicting the exact final score to back it up.
I'd eyeball the picks after each game and name a winner. For fun.
I'd eyeball the picks after each game and name a winner. For fun.
Then, in 2001, someone called me out
After the LSU loss in the SEC Championship, I sent out the results. One of the Chrises wrote back:
"How DO you figure? My score was closer to the spread."
"
"
He was right to ask. Who actually picked the best score?
And by what standard?
I didn't have an answer, so I built one.
And by what standard?
I didn't have an answer, so I built one.
The math took years
We broke a prediction into what actually matters: your team's score, the opponent's score, the spread, and the total. Simple formulas first. Then refinements — a penalty for picking against your own team (thanks, Jennie), and Vegas added as a player every week, so everyone had the same benchmark to beat.
By 2003, the system held. Weekly rankings. Season rankings. A real answer to Chris's question.
By 2003, the system held. Weekly rankings. Season rankings. A real answer to Chris's question.
And here's what surprised us:
The people winning weren't always the ones who followed the closest. My grown kids beat me. The guy with the spreadsheet finished mid-pack more often than he'd like.
Turns out predicting a final score is a different thing than knowing a team.
The people winning weren't always the ones who followed the closest. My grown kids beat me. The guy with the spreadsheet finished mid-pack more often than he'd like.
Turns out predicting a final score is a different thing than knowing a team.
winning
Anyone can win this!
Stats won't save you
Injury reports and advanced metrics won't get you there. Calling a number will.
Everybody beats Vegas!
or doesn't...
Vegas plays every week alongside you. Same games, same standard. Coming this season.
One good week changes your season
Weekly rankings mean you're never out of it.
Then it stopped being about us
Ten players became twelve. Then fifteen. Wives, brothers-in-law, and eventually the family. Season champions started getting a plaque.
Twenty-plus champions later, we're still growing, including student groups on several college campuses, with more on the way.
Twenty-plus champions later, we're still growing, including student groups on several college campuses, with more on the way.
Start now
Now It's Your Turn
Since 1998. Over 20 champions. One question no one could answer.