A razor-thin finish
0.5252
points between champion and reserve
Closer than 94% of the 4,714 championships in the data
The Grand Championship was decided by 0.5252 points — closer than 94% of every championship in the data.
- PIGSKIN BBQ
- SPITFIRE
8th Annual Big Island BBQ
Aug 28–29, 2015 · Albert Lea, MN
PIGSKIN BBQ won Grand Champion at the 8th Annual Big Island BBQ on August 28, 2015 in Albert Lea, MN, scoring 694.8112 in a field of 55 teams. SPITFIRE took Reserve Grand Champion with 694.2860. Category winners: Chicken — QUETOPIA (179.4400); Pork Ribs — BURNTOUT BBQ CO (176.5600); Pork — Croix Valley Sauces (177.1428); Brisket — PIGSKIN BBQ (180.0000).
The contest at a glance (read off the scored boards)
How the field scored
Overall totals, every team on the board — tall stacks are where the pack sat.
144.53
median 646.70
694.81 🏆
How the meats cooked
Every board on one scale — the bar runs last score to first, the dot is the median.
- Chicken 179.44
- Pork Ribs 176.56
- Pork 177.14
- Brisket 180 🔥
143.34
180
Entries
55
4 judged meats · 6 ancillary
Top score
694.8112
Winning margin
0.5252
GC over RC
Field average
618.84
144.53694.81
median 646.70 · last place to winner
Tightest race
Pork Ribs
3.4056 pts across the top 5
Top-10 cutoff
681.0628
144.53694.81
10th place overall
Field spread
550.2852
winner to last place
Double threats
4
teams with 2+ top-5 calls
How hot was the win?
Top 55%
beats 45% of 4715 Master Series wins in the data
Form held
Strong
ρ = -0.66 between pre-contest rating and finish
Field strength
1,546
avg power rating going in · stronger than 34% of contests
Storylines (4 found in this contest's numbers)
Everything below is read straight out of the results — the number on each card is the one that made it a story.
Photo finishes
Tie
closest of 13 calls decided inside half a point
Chicken places 4–5: MYASSIS SMOKIN and BARK 'N BONES BBQ tied on 174.8572 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker. Chicken places 8–9: BUBBA-Q'S and BURNTOUT BBQ CO tied on 171.9772 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker. Pork Ribs places 2–3: GETTIN' SAUCED and SPITFIRE tied on 174.2744 — settled by the KCBS tiebreaker.
- Chicken 4–5 · tie
- Chicken 8–9 · tie
- Pork Ribs 2–3 · tie
- Pork 5–6 · tie
How the title was won
2 of 4
meats called to the stage
PIGSKIN BBQ took the title on 2 calls from 4 meats, with 1 outright win — their weakest board was pork ribs at 14th.
- Chicken 11th
- Pork Ribs 14th
- Pork 7th
- Brisket 1st
A perfect score on the table
1
perfect 180s
1 perfect 180 was scored at this contest — every judge at the table handing back a nine.
- PIGSKIN BBQ · Brisket
Score curves (score by finishing position — steep cliffs mean a spread field, flat lines a knife fight)
Category showdown (top / average / median score per meat)
Score distribution
Biggest rating movers (power-rating points won and lost at this contest)
Did form hold? (pre-contest rating vs overall finish — ratings called it if the dots climb to the right)
What a call cost (the score it took to finish 1st, 5th and 10th)
| Category | 1st | 5th | 10th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken | 179.4400 | 174.8572 | 171.9656 |
| Pork Ribs | 176.5600 | 173.1544 | 172 |
| Pork | 177.1428 | 173.7144 | 170.8572 |
| Brisket | 180 | 173.1428 | 172.5600 |
Official results on kcbs.us ↗
Master Series
Overall
55 entries · top 694.8112 · median 646.6972
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | PIGSKIN BBQ | |
| 2 | SPITFIRE | |
| 3 | Croix Valley Sauces | |
| 4 | QUETOPIA | |
| 5 | SHIGGIN & GRINNIN | |
| 6 | BURNTOUT BBQ CO | |
| 7 | DRY 2 DA BONE | |
| 8 | BARK 'N BONES BBQ | |
| 9 | SWINE ASSASSINS | |
| 10 | LUCKY'S Q | |
| 11 | GETTIN' SAUCED | |
| 12 | GRUMPY OLD MEN BBQ | |
| 13 | FARMBOY BBQ | |
| 14 | SIN CIRCLE BBQ | |
| 15 | MYASSIS SMOKIN | |
| 16 | SMOKIN PELLETHEADS | |
| 17 | RUB MY RACK | |
| 18 | CASE OF RIBS | |
| 19 | NAGAN FOR MORE BBQ | |
| 20 | BUBBA-Q'S | |
| 21 | TOTALLY SAUCED | |
| 22 | BLACK DOG BBQ IA | |
| 23 | NECTAR OF THE HOGS | |
| 24 | Smoke Em, If You Got Em | |
| 25 | JED'S HOT MESS | |
| 26 | DRAWN TO SMOKE | |
| 27 | TWOLITTLEPIGSBBQ.COM | |
| 28 | THE SMOKING HILLS | |
| 29 | CROW RIVER BBQ | |
| 30 | FULL BOAR BBQ | |
| 31 | PIT 9 BBQ | |
| 32 | SWEDISH PIG | |
| 33 | ANDEQUE'S BBQ | |
| 34 | Papa T's Q Crew | |
| 35 | Po-Po Pork | |
| 36 | Porchy's | |
| 37 | PIGTAILERS BBQ | |
| 38 | BACKYARD BOB-B-Q | |
| 39 | 3 THIRDS BBQ | |
| 40 | STILL KICKIN BBQ | |
| 41 | 3 BRATS AND A COCKTAIL WEENIE | |
| 42 | FNG BBQ | |
| 43 | Boys n Blue Que | |
| 44 | DUKE'S BBQ | |
| 45 | Snaptail Smokers | |
| 46 | SWAMPVIEW BBQ | |
| 47 | Smokin Bros BBQ | |
| 48 | Pump It Up BBQ | |
| 49 | Demon Pig BBQ | |
| 50 | BBQ AVENGERS | |
| 51 | PIGS IN PERIL | |
| 52 | Marie's | |
| 53 | PIG BOOTY BBQ | |
| 54 | SMOKIN JOE'S BBQ | |
| 55 | PIG WHISPERERS |
Chicken
50 entries · top 179.4400 · median 164.8400
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | QUETOPIA | |
| 2 | DRY 2 DA BONE | |
| 3 | GETTIN' SAUCED | |
| 4 | MYASSIS SMOKIN | |
| 5 | BARK 'N BONES BBQ | |
| 6 | Croix Valley Sauces | |
| 7 | SWINE ASSASSINS | |
| 8 | BUBBA-Q'S | |
| 9 | BURNTOUT BBQ CO | |
| 10 | Papa T's Q Crew | |
| 11 | PIGSKIN BBQ | |
| 12 | RUB MY RACK | |
| 13 | GRUMPY OLD MEN BBQ | |
| 14 | ANDEQUE'S BBQ | |
| 15 | SPITFIRE | |
| 16 | BACKYARD BOB-B-Q | |
| 17 | SIN CIRCLE BBQ | |
| 18 | Smoke Em, If You Got Em | |
| 19 | DRAWN TO SMOKE | |
| 20 | NAGAN FOR MORE BBQ | |
| 21 | SHIGGIN & GRINNIN | |
| 22 | FARMBOY BBQ | |
| 23 | BBQ AVENGERS | |
| 24 | SWEDISH PIG | |
| 25 | Po-Po Pork | |
| 26 | 3 THIRDS BBQ | |
| 27 | LUCKY'S Q | |
| 28 | 3 BRATS AND A COCKTAIL WEENIE | |
| 29 | PIT 9 BBQ | |
| 30 | FNG BBQ | |
| 31 | Boys n Blue Que | |
| 32 | Porchy's | |
| 33 | SMOKIN PELLETHEADS | |
| 34 | Smokin Bros BBQ | |
| 35 | PIGTAILERS BBQ | |
| 36 | TWOLITTLEPIGSBBQ.COM | |
| 37 | BLACK DOG BBQ IA | |
| 38 | NECTAR OF THE HOGS | |
| 39 | JED'S HOT MESS | |
| 40 | TOTALLY SAUCED | |
| 41 | THE SMOKING HILLS | |
| 42 | SWAMPVIEW BBQ | |
| 43 | STILL KICKIN BBQ | |
| 44 | FULL BOAR BBQ | |
| 45 | CROW RIVER BBQ | |
| 46 | Demon Pig BBQ | |
| 47 | Pump It Up BBQ | |
| 48 | CASE OF RIBS | |
| 49 | DUKE'S BBQ | |
| 50 | Snaptail Smokers |
Pork Ribs
54 entries · top 176.5600 · median 165.1086
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | BURNTOUT BBQ CO | |
| 2 | GETTIN' SAUCED | |
| 3 | SPITFIRE | |
| 4 | QUETOPIA | |
| 5 | TOTALLY SAUCED | |
| 6 | BUBBA-Q'S | |
| 7 | BARK 'N BONES BBQ | |
| 8 | SWINE ASSASSINS | |
| 9 | LUCKY'S Q | |
| 10 | Marie's | |
| 11 | FULL BOAR BBQ | |
| 12 | SHIGGIN & GRINNIN | |
| 13 | Snaptail Smokers | |
| 14 | PIGSKIN BBQ | |
| 15 | RUB MY RACK | |
| 16 | CASE OF RIBS | |
| 17 | SIN CIRCLE BBQ | |
| 18 | Po-Po Pork | |
| 19 | MYASSIS SMOKIN | |
| 20 | PIGTAILERS BBQ | |
| 21 | CROW RIVER BBQ | |
| 22 | FARMBOY BBQ | |
| 23 | DRY 2 DA BONE | |
| 24 | PIG BOOTY BBQ | |
| 25 | PIGS IN PERIL | |
| 26 | BLACK DOG BBQ IA | |
| 27 | Croix Valley Sauces | |
| 28 | SMOKIN PELLETHEADS | |
| 29 | JED'S HOT MESS | |
| 30 | NECTAR OF THE HOGS | |
| 31 | GRUMPY OLD MEN BBQ | |
| 32 | Papa T's Q Crew | |
| 33 | NAGAN FOR MORE BBQ | |
| 34 | 3 THIRDS BBQ | |
| 35 | SWEDISH PIG | |
| 36 | Smoke Em, If You Got Em | |
| 37 | Boys n Blue Que | |
| 38 | PIT 9 BBQ | |
| 39 | STILL KICKIN BBQ | |
| 40 | Pump It Up BBQ | |
| 41 | DRAWN TO SMOKE | |
| 42 | SMOKIN JOE'S BBQ | |
| 43 | Smokin Bros BBQ | |
| 44 | SWAMPVIEW BBQ | |
| 45 | Demon Pig BBQ | |
| 46 | 3 BRATS AND A COCKTAIL WEENIE | |
| 47 | DUKE'S BBQ | |
| 48 | TWOLITTLEPIGSBBQ.COM | |
| 49 | THE SMOKING HILLS | |
| 50 | FNG BBQ | |
| 51 | Porchy's | |
| 52 | BACKYARD BOB-B-Q | |
| 53 | BBQ AVENGERS | |
| 54 | ANDEQUE'S BBQ |
Pork
53 entries · top 177.1428 · median 162.8572
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Croix Valley Sauces | |
| 2 | SHIGGIN & GRINNIN | |
| 3 | LUCKY'S Q | |
| 4 | PIT 9 BBQ | |
| 5 | SPITFIRE | |
| 6 | NECTAR OF THE HOGS | |
| 7 | PIGSKIN BBQ | |
| 8 | SMOKIN PELLETHEADS | |
| 9 | FARMBOY BBQ | |
| 10 | Porchy's | |
| 11 | GRUMPY OLD MEN BBQ | |
| 12 | BURNTOUT BBQ CO | |
| 13 | BLACK DOG BBQ IA | |
| 14 | CASE OF RIBS | |
| 15 | QUETOPIA | |
| 16 | DRY 2 DA BONE | |
| 17 | SIN CIRCLE BBQ | |
| 18 | JED'S HOT MESS | |
| 19 | Marie's | |
| 20 | Smoke Em, If You Got Em | |
| 21 | BARK 'N BONES BBQ | |
| 22 | NAGAN FOR MORE BBQ | |
| 23 | BUBBA-Q'S | |
| 24 | BACKYARD BOB-B-Q | |
| 25 | SWAMPVIEW BBQ | |
| 26 | 3 THIRDS BBQ | |
| 27 | TOTALLY SAUCED | |
| 28 | SWEDISH PIG | |
| 29 | DRAWN TO SMOKE | |
| 30 | SWINE ASSASSINS | |
| 31 | FULL BOAR BBQ | |
| 32 | THE SMOKING HILLS | |
| 33 | GETTIN' SAUCED | |
| 34 | RUB MY RACK | |
| 35 | STILL KICKIN BBQ | |
| 36 | TWOLITTLEPIGSBBQ.COM | |
| 37 | BBQ AVENGERS | |
| 38 | ANDEQUE'S BBQ | |
| 39 | Snaptail Smokers | |
| 40 | Po-Po Pork | |
| 41 | 3 BRATS AND A COCKTAIL WEENIE | |
| 42 | PIGTAILERS BBQ | |
| 43 | Pump It Up BBQ | |
| 44 | CROW RIVER BBQ | |
| 45 | Demon Pig BBQ | |
| 46 | FNG BBQ | |
| 47 | MYASSIS SMOKIN | |
| 48 | PIGS IN PERIL | |
| 49 | Boys n Blue Que | |
| 50 | Smokin Bros BBQ | |
| 51 | DUKE'S BBQ | |
| 52 | Papa T's Q Crew | |
| 53 | PIG BOOTY BBQ |
Brisket
51 entries · top 180 · median 163.9772 · 🔥 perfect 180
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | PIGSKIN BBQ | |
| 2 | SPITFIRE | |
| 3 | SWINE ASSASSINS | |
| 4 | TWOLITTLEPIGSBBQ.COM | |
| 5 | MYASSIS SMOKIN | |
| 6 | DRY 2 DA BONE | |
| 7 | NAGAN FOR MORE BBQ | |
| 8 | SHIGGIN & GRINNIN | |
| 9 | THE SMOKING HILLS | |
| 10 | Croix Valley Sauces | |
| 11 | ANDEQUE'S BBQ | |
| 12 | CASE OF RIBS | |
| 13 | SMOKIN PELLETHEADS | |
| 14 | FARMBOY BBQ | |
| 15 | LUCKY'S Q | |
| 16 | GRUMPY OLD MEN BBQ | |
| 17 | BARK 'N BONES BBQ | |
| 18 | TOTALLY SAUCED | |
| 19 | SIN CIRCLE BBQ | |
| 20 | RUB MY RACK | |
| 21 | QUETOPIA | |
| 22 | DUKE'S BBQ | |
| 23 | BLACK DOG BBQ IA | |
| 24 | CROW RIVER BBQ | |
| 25 | FNG BBQ | |
| 26 | NECTAR OF THE HOGS | |
| 27 | BURNTOUT BBQ CO | |
| 28 | GETTIN' SAUCED | |
| 29 | Smoke Em, If You Got Em | |
| 30 | DRAWN TO SMOKE | |
| 31 | 3 BRATS AND A COCKTAIL WEENIE | |
| 32 | JED'S HOT MESS | |
| 33 | STILL KICKIN BBQ | |
| 34 | Papa T's Q Crew | |
| 35 | BACKYARD BOB-B-Q | |
| 36 | FULL BOAR BBQ | |
| 37 | Boys n Blue Que | |
| 38 | SWEDISH PIG | |
| 39 | Porchy's | |
| 40 | BUBBA-Q'S | |
| 41 | PIGTAILERS BBQ | |
| 42 | Smokin Bros BBQ | |
| 43 | Demon Pig BBQ | |
| 44 | Pump It Up BBQ | |
| 45 | Po-Po Pork | |
| 46 | 3 THIRDS BBQ | |
| 47 | PIT 9 BBQ | |
| 48 | PIGS IN PERIL | |
| 49 | PIG WHISPERERS | |
| 50 | SWAMPVIEW BBQ | |
| 51 | Snaptail Smokers |
Ancillary categories
Run by the organizers alongside the sanctioned contest. These are judged on their own terms and do not count toward the overall score, so they're kept out of the meat stats above.
Master Series — Anything Butt
8 entries · top 180 · median 167.1028 · 🔥 perfect 180
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pit 9 --2 | |
| 2 | BACKYARD BOB-B-Q | |
| 3 | CASE OF RIBS | |
| 4 | Porchy's | |
| 5 | Smokin Bros BBQ | |
| 6 | FULL BOAR BBQ | |
| 7 | Demon Pig BBQ | |
| 8 | PIT 9 BBQ |
Master Series — Chili
10 entries · top 172.5828 · median 166.8686
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | PIG WHISPERERS | |
| 2 | MYASSIS SMOKIN | |
| 3 | BUBBA-Q'S | |
| 4 | Starfire/Club 57 | |
| 5 | HOLY SMOKE | |
| 6 | Snappy Dog | |
| 7 | Smokin Bros BBQ | |
| 8 | Pump It Up BBQ | |
| 9 | CASE OF RIBS | |
| 10 | SWAMPVIEW BBQ |
Master Series — Dessert
9 entries · top 180 · median 173.1084 · 🔥 perfect 180
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smokin Bros BBQ | |
| 2 | THE SMOKING HILLS | |
| 3 | LUCKY'S Q | |
| 4 | Pump It Up BBQ | |
| 5 | Croix Valley Sauces | |
| 6 | FARMBOY BBQ | |
| 7 | SWAMPVIEW BBQ | |
| 8 | PIT 9 BBQ | |
| 9 | BACKYARD BOB-B-Q |
Master Series — Kid'S Que -11-15 Yo
3 entries · top 168.0116 · median 167.9656
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fisher Holter | |
| 2 | Ethan Battle | |
| 3 | Drake Holter |
Master Series — Kid'S Que -7-10 Yo
6 entries · top 168.5600 · median 165.1200
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edan Thoe | |
| 2 | Zoe Dobosenski | |
| 3 | Reece Brown | |
| 4 | Josiah Jensen | |
| 5 | Sophia Syed | |
| 6 | Zoya Syed |
Master Series — Sauce
14 entries · top 169.1200 · median 163.1314
| # | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | BUBBA-Q'S | |
| 2 | BURNTOUT BBQ CO | |
| 3 | PIT 9 BBQ | |
| 4 | FULL BOAR BBQ | |
| 5 | Snaptail Smokers | |
| 6 | Eroc's 2 | |
| 7 | Smokin Bros BBQ | |
| 8 | Smoke Em, If You Got Em | |
| 9 | STILL KICKIN BBQ | |
| 10 | CASE OF RIBS | |
| 11 | Eroc's | |
| 12 | FARMBOY BBQ | |
| 13 | Demon Pig BBQ | |
| 14 | Boys n Blue Que |