As part of the team representing the EC in the Harbus Sports NFL Pick ’em contest, Matt Stovcsik has nearly 900 students watching his every move. Unfortunately, most of those moves have been bad as he is in last place with only 111 points – 64 points back from the nearest competitor. I sat down with Matt to see if he would reveal details of his “giving a pistol to a monkey” approach.
Q: How many years have you been following American football?
A: Depends on how you define “following.” I’ve been watching for 25 years. I played organized football for 7 years. I’ve been playing fantasy football for 10 years. I’ve been gambling for 6 years. Between fantasy and gambling, I usually have an interest/financial stake in every game. I’ve recently been brainstorming ways I can hook up a satellite dish without HPRE noticing so I can order NFL Sunday Ticket.
None of which is really explaining my performance in this league. My analysis of this case is you have not aligned my incentives properly. Had you told me last place had to run across Spangler lawn naked during lunch singing “It’s Raining Men,” that might have caused me to pay more attention. The lure of a free dinner and t-shirt just isn’t there. Also, it should be apparent to everyone by now, that I have no pride.
Q: Who is your favorite NFL team?
A: Definitely the Steelers. Tough, hard-nosed, intelligent, smack you upside the head three-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust team. Same adjectives apply to the fans. Incidentally, you can go to any city in the US and find Steelers fans. I’m not kidding. There’s a Steelers fan club that draws 40-50 people every Sunday at the Sports Depot in Allston to watch the games.
Q: You didn’t get any picks right this week – can you explain that?
A: It is with a heavy heart that I must report I accepted a bribe from the faculty team to refrain from making any picks this week. That’s the sort of incentive I’ve been talking about.
Q: Have you ever been in a Turkish prison?
A: Have you ever seen a grown man naked?
Q: If the EC team ends up losing to the faculty and RC by a small margin, can every EC student kick you in the pants?
A: A light spanking would be preferable.
Thanks Matt, and good luck in the weeks to come!
