Apparently all it takes to motivate this crew of pickers is a threat.
Last week, the Master of Ceremonies threw down the hammer and threatened to kick each person off the panel if results didn't improve.

What we were left with is an outstanding week by each panelist.
Even "Touchdown" Tommy Millsaps found some success this week, compiling an 11-2 record.
"I probably don't deserve the opportunity to be a part of this panel, but I think I proved I still have a few tricks up my sleeve," said Millsaps. "Of course, for me to win the title, that's a trick that even Harry Houdini couldn't pull off."

Of course, not all the pickers were concerned with the job threats.
"Those were nothing but empty threats," said "Hollywood" Corbitt Hollingsworth. "We are what makes the panel so entertaining. There's no way we were going to be fired."
With only a few weeks left in the season, Bryan "The Brain" Burchfield still holds the lead, but only by six games over Steve "He Hate Me" Wall.

However, The Brain, who has been abnormally quiet the past three weeks, didn't seem concerned at all with Wall looking to close in on his lead.
"He can pretend like he's going to challenge me all he wants, but these final few weeks are just a formality. I've worked out all the possibilities and equations through an advanced scientific and mathematical formula. There's no way he's passing me," said Burchfield.

And if that doesn't work, Burchfield can employ the NASCAR-like block he's put on Wall this week.
The two frontrunners have the same exact picks this week, which guarantees Wall will maintain his six-game lead over Wall for another week.

"Bush league," sad Wall. "His tactics are nothing more than that. I've got him scared so now he just goes into defense mode. I demand an investigation to see if he, like Tommy, is copying my picks."
Unfortunately, the Master of Ceremonies has neither the time nor desire to launch an investigation.
Lurking in the shadows is defending champion "Mailman" John Taylor.

The Mailman is only one game behind Wall in the standings and seven games out of first.
And he's not going away quietly.
"Let's not forget who the defending champ is now. Actually, it should be two-time defending champ if politics hadn't been involved, but I digress," said Taylor.

"I'm not out of this by any means. Seven games to knock out over four weeks? Doesn't sound all that challenging to an expert like me."
Taylor can take a big step in knocking out two of those games with wins by Boston College and Ole Miss.
"We'll see who's really the smartest among us in a couple of weeks when I'm hoisting that trophy again," said Taylor.