TRAIN69,
It's been a few weeks, but I am at a critical juncture and requesting emergency assistance.
If you recall, I have an office pool and we pick weekly from the Tuesday USA Today spreads (static for the week). 5 picks of all games ranked 1-5 and given the corresponding points per level of confidence. With your help through the season, I am currently in first place.
While up by 3 points to the 2nd place entry, I am up 15 points to third place.
Given that the maximum number of points on a "normal" week is 15 points (5+4+3+2+1), my concern is obviously the #2 player.
This, however, is not a "normal" week. This is the final week of the pool. In this final week, the rules allow entrants to pick a "10-pointer". This game is scored as 10-points for the winner and a negative 10 is a loser.
OK, so for the final week I picked for my 5 games:
5* Clemson
4* Ole Miss (Lost Last Night)
3* Notre Dame
2* Tulane
1* Ga Tech
The 2nd place entry picked:
5* UCLA
4* Kansas St.
3* Wake
2* South Carolina
1* LSU
And he has submitted........ North Texas as a 10-pointer
So considering that, there is no obligation to pick a 10-point game.... Should I play it safe and not pick one in hopes that North Texas is a loser? Or should I make a 10-point play with New Mexico who is still available.
Keep in mind:
1) I have already lost my 4-point game this week
2) There are multiple teams within striking distance if they win 10-point games and I lose mine.
Safe play is to not take a 10-pointer and pray N. Texas loses, but if I want to control my destiny, a New Mexico for 10 should clinch the deal!
Always appreciate your expert opinion!