Week 1

Click the link, then make your picks in the replies. Remember, pick an average of 10 games per week to qualify for the end of year standings and prizes. The winners will be determined by overall win percentage.

Here's how our staff pick'em contest works: we set odds for who we believe the favorite and underdog in each game are. To play along at home, simply pick the favorite or underdog to win by the assigned spread (example, if Team A is favored by 7.5, to get your selection correct, Team A has to win by at least 8 points, or Team B has to lose by less than 7).

Feel free to play along at home, and try to beat our staff!

Disclaimer: We're not gambling. That would be ridiculous. This is a game. For fun.

I'm not the world's best gambler, but I figure I'll track my college/NFL picks this season. Feel free to play along and fade all my picks if you're into making money.

9/12

Five Against the Spread:

Kansas -6 (vs Coastal Carolina)
Western Kentucky +12.5 (vs Louisville)
UL Monroe +23 (vs Army)
Texas State -6 (vs UTSA)
Texas -44.5 (vs UTEP)

Five Over/Under:

Iowa State/UL Lafayette OVER 56.5
Arkansas State/Kansas State UNDER 55.5
Syracuse/North Carolina UNDER 67.5
Georgia Tech/Florida State OVER 51
Clemson/Wake Forest OVER 61

Lock of the Day:

Duke/Notre Dame OVER 52

Here's where I'll house all episodes of Sande Charles Podcast

Episode 1: An Introduction to Sande Charles

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via @Eric.Newman

via @Eric.Newman

via @JasonPSkoda

via @Gregg Rosenberg

via @Eric.Newman

Three weeks until we kick off! I'll post all the preseason articles in the thread below- but first, who do you think has the best shot outside of Chandler adn Saguaro to win this year's open championship?

Hello friends!

I just wanted to follow up on last week's email that went out to the staff to say that I'm really excited about the direction of the website, and thankful to everybody who has been a part of what we're trying to build.

Over the last few weeks I've been trying to figure out the best way for us to not only take the next step with ArizonaVarsity, but finish taking the initial steps that we set out to take. I wasn't having much luck, but because we have such an awesome and thoughtful team in place, @ChillyASU, @Brett Quintyne and Erin stepped up to help me bridge that gap. I'm grateful to them, and for the changes that Chilly and Erin got together to pitch and put in place to help us get there.

From here on out, I'm going to be focusing on producing content for the site + social media, as well as managing the forum to help increase value for subscribers. Writing and podcasting is what put me in a position to meet all of you, and eventually invite you into this partnership, and while I love the experience of being able to work alongside you as an editor and podcast producer, I can best serve everyone by playing to my strengths. The best thing about that is it makes way from some other people to play to their strengths as well.

Shout out to @Zalvira for being named Editor in Chief of #TeamAZV. All written content will go through Zach, and over time, I'm excited to see him begin to execute his vision for the type of content he'd like to see on the site.

Nobody gave me more confidence to pursue the idea of a network of podcasts than @EspoAZ, and now he's going to get the chance to lead it. I'm really proud of The Sande Charles Show, The Espo Show, Streams and Memes, C-Town Rivals and The Take it E.Z. Podcast, and I'm excited to bring my show, The AZSportsCast, back into the fold under Greg's guidance.

I also wanted to take a minute to thank @aluberda and @Radioguyaz99 for their contributions over the last seven months, and wish them the best on their next chapter. Andrew, if you stay involved in youth sports, Kentucky is going to be very fortunate to have you and your storytelling ability. Lee, you've morphed into one of the most vital newsmen in the AZ prep sports world, and have done so from the southeastern corner of the state. You talent and professionalism is undeniable.

I think about what we have on board moving forward, and I feel nothing but gratitude. Whether it's the consistency and commitment of @Eric.Newman and @Gridiron Arizona, the creativity and collaboration of @JordanHamm, @EspoAZ and @jared_co, the unique perspective and storytelling ability of @JasonPSkoda, the talent and professionalism of @sandecharles and @Zalvira, the unequaled expertise and enthusiasm of @codytcameron and @Gregg Rosenberg, the hustle and loyalty of @Photosilvas, the expertise of Brad Cesmat and Erin, and the unconditional backing of @Brett Quintyne... it's hard not to be overwhelmed by how cool of a situation this is.

Chilly is the #TeamAZV brand personified, and I look forward to him stepping further into the role of being over all the talent, and the direction we collectively take over time.

Now, to get back to making things.

via @Zalvira

Who's winning tonight's Chilly Bowl between Higley and Mountain Ridge? Because I'm officially covering them, I've got the Mountain Lions by 300

Welcome to a brand new show on the ArizonaVarsity Podcast Network! It's the debut of Streams & Memes with Jordan Hamm!

In the first ever episode, Jordan Hamm talks with ArizonaVarsity.com managing editor Ralph Amsden about his concept for the pop culture and sports podcast, and then reviews Netflix's Home Game alongside Sarah Kezele. (42 Minutes)

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Thursday: Chilly Bowl!! Let's get the #ChillyBowl hashtag trending in the state on Thursday, I think that would be pretty damn cool.
Friday: Highland vs Boulder Creek. Have been to Anthem many times to interview BC athletes, but have never watched a game there. Eric Sorenson and I will be having pregame dinner up there at around 5 if anyone wants to join!
Saturday: Hamilton vs Salpointe in the Open 8, LET'S GET IT!!!!

Where is everyone else headed??

via @Zalvira

via @Eric.Newman

via @Zalvira

via @Ralph Amsden

via @Zalvira

via @jared_co