It's time we got our hands dirty here at the alligatorSports Brand picks column.
We're talking farm-work type dirty.
Before the Gators take on the Gamecocks on Saturday, we wanted to find out what a Gamecock is and how to take care of one.
So we decided to call up Nate Applegate of Wingo Gamefowl, located in Eastern Kentucky by the Ohio state border. Nate was quite the southern gentleman as he explained to us that gamecocks bred in the Philippines are brought up to have a never-quit attitude and be aggressive and always ready to start a battle quick and hard.
We're intimidated.
"The gamecock will not quit," said Applegate, who doesn't put any of his chickens in any fights, but just raises them and occasionally sells them. "The gamecock will keep on until he has nothing left."
Applegate said that while gamecock fighting is a national sport in the Philippines, many others have started to breed them for their colors and how all their feathers have to be kept perfectly in place.
"They've got a little bit of an attitude to them," Applegate said. "They're always happy, never sick. Their immune system is real strong."
However, you do have to be careful if you decide to start breeding gamecocks. They're happy chicks, but not necessarily when they're around each other.
"When I first got chickens, I really didn't know that," Applegate explained. "I picked some up and they gave me a cock and a couple hens. I turned them loose and raised some young ones. Next thing I knew, they done killed each other."
May they rest in peace.
Apparently, a gamecock doesn't mind being on the road, either. And with the way South Carolina has played in The Swamp recently, it's hard to argue against that.
"A gamecock will act better at different surroundings," Applegate said. "Like when you have them at the house and then you take them to a show, say, 10 minutes down the road. You put them in a pen where they can see the other chickens. They act a lot better. They're a lot happier. With them playing on your field, you could probably say they'll be in their best mood."
We'll put the word out to keep your chicken gear at home.
With that said, on to the picks!
In first place with a 60-30 record is Assistant Sports Editor Evan "What do you mean you don't know who Niklas Kronwall is?!?!?" Drexler, who is still in mourning over the Red Wings' 7-6 overtime loss to the Penguins on Tuesday night. Drex Factor, you get way too excited over a team filled with 30+-year-old men.
In second place with an improving 59-31 spot is Phil "Don't hate on my phrasing, baby" Kegler, who we are absolutely sure still doesn't read the picks column - or his insult. Therefore: THE RAYS SUCK. THE RAYS SUCK. THE RAYS SUCK. EVAN LONGORIA WILL SIGN WITH THE YANKEES. TAKE THAT, BABY.
Also tied for second with a steady 59-31 record is Karl "Old Navy is super comfortable" Hyppolite, who had his recent column shredded apart on a truly thought-provoking blog.
In fourth place with a record of 56-34 is Sports Editor Brian "I SWEAR IT WAS A YAWN!" Steele, who is still in denial that he actually had a night terror at 5 p.m. in the back seat of a car on the way to the Vanderbilt game. With a scream like that, Steele, you must have been dreaming about American Idol getting canceled.
In dead-ass last place - unsurprisingly - with a piss-poor record of 53-37 is Mike "I puke more than a freshman who just chugged a six pack of Natty Light" McCall, who recently had to have his genitals removed to see a Coldplay concert. At least he won't be reproducing any East Carolina fans anytime soon.
| ED | KH | PK | MM | BS | NA | |
| Tex-Kan | Tex | Tex | Tex | Tex | Tex | Tex |
| FSU-BC | FSU | FSU | FSU | FSU | BC | FSU |
| Bama-MissSt | Bama | Bama | Bama | Bama | Bama | Bama |
| UNC-MD | UNC | UNC | UNC | UNC | UNC | UNC |
| Minn-Wisc | Minn | Minn | Wisc | Wisc | Wisc | Wisc |
| Rut-USF | USF | Rut | USF | USF | USF | Rut |
| Duke-Clem | Clem | Clem | Clem | Duke | Clem | Duke |
| Cal-OreSt | OreSt | Cal | Cal | OreSt | Cal | OreSt |
| Vandy-Kent | Vandy | Kent | Kent | Vandy | Kent | Vandy |
UF-USC: ED - UF 42-17; KH - UF 35-14; MM - UF 31-17; PK - UF 21-17; BS - UF 31-20; NA - UF
