Pre-Tournament Odds

 As you well know by now my contribution other than providing a token chump to finish second apparently) to this whole Cat-driven thing is to bring entertainment in the form of stupidity and lame attempts at humor and such.  This year, I am assigning an NFL QB Mascot to each team based on their squad.  Why?  Because I didn't think it would be well received to do what I did for my home Philly pool I run, which was assign a player from the Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles, so I spared you all that at least.  

Looking back at last year, I had the top two favorites as Mana and El Bagre, who finished 1 and 3 respectively.  And so..here goes another year of stupidity:

El Bagre - Pick #1  5-1

Best Pick - Mayo (Kansas) Round 5

Worst Pick - Nique Clifford (CSU) Round 3  {Just too early}

QB Mascot: Baker Mayfield (Just looking at him you'd think he can't beat you but he can)

El Bagre has made some nice runs at this recently.  I'm not loving Auburn limping into this tournament but he has some solid squads in play otherwise.  I do think he pulled the trigger on the hometown guy from CSU a little too soon.  the 12-16 picks rarely get you more than one game so burning a third rounder on it could be El Bagre's downfall this year.    

Pick #2 - Scooter   3-1

Best Pick - RJ Luis (Johnnies) Round 1

Worst Pick - Nate Johnson (Zips) Round 5  (just too early also)

QB Mascot: Jalen Hurts (He got disrespected and now he's pissed and looking like the Vengeance Tour may lead straight to a title)

The committee could not remotely hose Scooter's Johnnies again this year and Scooter took advantage grabbing two of Ricky P's boyz in the first three rounds.  As the Johnnies go, so will go Scooter.  I happen to have them taking it all so Scooter gets very good odds here, way ahead of Cat, just as he requested.    

Pick #3 - Strong Island JT  9-2

Best Pick - Adkins MSU Round 2

Worst pick - Griffa (High Point) {what is it with you NY guys loving the 12-16 guys and blowing early picks on them anyway?}

QB Mascot:  Russell Wilson (the once mighty has maybe dropped down the rankings a bit but is still very capable of returning to form).

Our hero has finished bottom 4 since 2020 every year so we really need a strong showing this time JT.  I like the mix and the potential scoring punch.  He will need Houston to go far but many experts think it's not their year.  

Pick #4 - Pags  7-2

Best pick -John Tonje (Wisconsin) Round 3

Worst Pick - Braden Smith (Purdue) Round 4 (Had him last year and he just can't score)

QB Mascot:  Joe Burrow (all the talent in the world but is it the right team?)

Pags has some scoring here.  If he gets any longevity at all he will be a factor.  The only pick I don't like a lot is Iowa State but for some reason I am always anti-Cyclone.   If Creighton takes down the 1 seed Pags walks away with this.

Pick #5  El Gato  99-1

Best Pick - Cooper Flagg (Duke) Round 1

Worst Pick - Mad Max Shulga (VCU) Round 6

QB Mascot:  Will Levis (I'll be shocked if he beats anybody)

Everybody loves an underdog but holy moly, almost half your roster on 11 to 16's? You made my job here very easy mi amigo, gracias!  He does have a very good top 3 but then the wheels fell off which saved him from being a million to one.   

Pick #6 - Filete de Queso        Second Place Odds are even money

Best pick - Zuby Zuby Doooooo

Worst Pick - Chaz Lanier (Tenn) Round 1 

QB Mascot: Josh Allen (always second best)

I like my team but that usually means doom, I just hope it doesn't drag Scooter's Johnnies down.  I need to see Pitino win it all again. 

Pick #7  Farco  5-1

Best Pick - Sears (Alabama) Round 1

Worst Pick - Jake Ognacevic (Lipscomb) Round 4 (early thing again)  

QB Mascot:  Brock Purdy (Didn't make any obvious mistakes but just doesn't scare you)

Farco has been subject of my wrath in previous years and been a very good sport.  There was the Farco point shaving scandal of 2021, 2022 and 2023.  While that sounds really bad for him, it was actually me shaving points off his total so it wasn't his fault at all.  I am a little disappointed that Farco didn't mangle any names this year, that is always entertaining.  Nice work Farco.  Sorry I couldn't increase your odds, I just don't like the team.  But the good news is I don't win so what the hell do I know?

Pick #8 - Mana   7-2

Best Pick - PJ Haggerty (Memphis) Round 4 

Worst Pick - Kaufmann (Purdue) Round 3

QB Mascot: Matt Stafford (Always dangerous, has won before)

Mana is right there in the thick of this with Scooter and Pags.  Another beneficiary if Creighton can manage a run as Kalkbrenner Lerch is a scoring machine.  Haggerty is the top scoring player in the entire Tournament so if Mana gets some longevity he is likely to be at or near the top.

Pick #9 - Dustin  4-1

Best Pick - Dickinson (Kansas) Round 3

Worst Pick - Kelly (Auburn) Round 6

QB Mascot: Mahomes (looking to reclaim the top spot)

After a year sabbatical, Dustin the multiple time champ, returns to reclaim his throne.  He had a nice draft and seems like he might contend but drafting 9th meant he settled for a lesser scorer on a top team for his first pick, which can always hinder chances.  He looks like he may have the longevity but scoring may be his issue.  He needs his guys to score more than they do to compete at the top.  

Pick #10 - Tmac  4-1

Best Pick - Hepburn (Louisville) Round 4

Worst Pick - Philon (alabama) Round 3

QB Mascot: Jared Goff (This guy may blend into the woodwork this year a bit but is every bit capable of winning)

Tmac also has a winning pedigree and looks to return to form.  Hepburn was a risk but he's a stud and if they can pull off an upset TMac will be lovin life but they have a tough first round opponent in Creighton.  I wouldn't be surprised to see Tmac's name near the top come the end.