Carroll Hoff Cook Trophy

Way back in 2003, young whippersnappers, my friends and I started a weekly college football pool. We pick the winners for games involving Top 25 teams throughout the year and tally up the points at the end of the season. No money is exchanged. The contest is for bragging rights only. We tried playing for a measly $1 grand prize, and only two people were willing to cough up the cash to the winner. That should tell you something about the quality, or lack thereof, of our pool. In lieu of fame and fortune, the winner of the pool receives the coveted Beano Trophy, so named for Beano Cook's oh-so-incorrect prediction that Ron Powlus would win multiple Heisman Trophies while playing QB at Notre Dame. As a constant reminder of that glorious ridiculousness, a fictional Beano Cook picks every game correctly in the pool - his score thus serving as the highest possible tally that can be obtained in pool play.

Below is the list of winners and losers (as well as their chosen home team) from years gone by. I seem to have a penchant for second place finishes. Buena suerte to all, and Go Illini!

Year	Winner	First Place Loser	Third Place
2021	Balijeet	Andy	Christopher
2020	COVID-19	Dumpster	Fire
2019	Andy	Christopher	Todd
2018	Balijeet	Steve C	Christopher
2017	Christopher	Andy	Steve K
2016	Andy	Christopher	Daryl
2015	Balijeet	Steve C	Steve K
2014	Steve C	Andy	Balijeet
2013	Steve K	Christopher	Steve C
2012	Balijeet	Andy	Steve K
2011	Callan	Balijeet	Jasy
2010	Steve K	Christopher	Balijeet
2009	Christopher	Steve K	Todd
2008	Steve K	Christopher	Steve C
2007	Balijeet	Christopher	Jasy
2006	Steve C	Christopher	Todd
2005	Todd	Raj	Steve C
2004	Joel	Andy	Wendy
2003	Balijeet	Christopher	Todd