THE PIG'S EAR

THE PIG'S EAR is a competition barbecue team with 20 Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) contests on record between 2013 and 2020. Their best overall finish is 4th of 37 at the Pickin' in the Panhandle (2013). They are ranked #6302 of 6,491 teams in the KCBS power rankings. Also listed in KCBS results as “The Pigs Ear”.

⚔ Compare with another team

At a glance (the record in numbers)

Power ranking

#6,302

of 6,491 rated · rankings

Rating

1410

peak 1410 · rated over 19 contests

Contests

in the data

First seen

Apr 26, 2013

latest Aug 7, 2020 · 7.3 years on the trail

Grand champs

0 reserve

Category wins

1 podium

Overall top-10s

5% of 20 contests

Avg finish

top 76%

overall standings

Best overall

664.0116 / 720

Master · Pickin' in the Panhandle

Perfect 180s

Current form

618.24 ▼

last 5 Master vs avg 619.19 (-0.96)

Walk rate

25%

contests with a top-10 call

Best single call

172

Pork · Covington Cork & Pork Festival

Consistency

±21.90

spread of their Master overall scores (lower = steadier)

Strongest meat

Pork

avg 160.20 · weakest Brisket (149.84)

Road miles

2,746

across 20 mapped stops · furthest 178 mi

Schedule strength

34%

of rated fields were softer than their average draw (1545)

Purse competed for

$3,000

listed at 1 contest — purses, not winnings

State championships

0 🏅

won from 1 state-championship entry

Master avg

619.19 / 720

18 Master contests · 0 GCs

Backyard avg

274.72 / 360

1 Backyard contest · 0 GCs

These overall scores sit on different scales (Master out of 720, Backyard out of 360), so they're kept separate — averaging them together would be misleading.

This team cooks the Backyard series — its own boards, records and Team of the Year are here.

Storylines (7 found in their record)

Each card leads with the number behind the story, straight from their results.

High-water mark

664.0116 career-best overall

92.2% of a perfect 720

Their best day on record: 664.0116 at Pickin' in the Panhandle — 92.2% of a perfect 720.

Master
Sep 6, 2013

Their season

2013 their best year

2013 was the year it came together: 5 contests, 0 Grand Championships and 0 category wins, at an average finish in the top 66%.

5 contests
1 overall top-10
0 category wins
average top 66%

A tough matchup

16–0 behind in the head-to-head

WOLF'S REVENGE BBQ ahead in 100% of their meetings

WOLF'S REVENGE BBQ has come out ahead in 16 of their 16 shared contests.

The weak link

−10.4 points behind their best meat

Brisket is where the weekend gets away from them — it averages 10.36 points below their pork, and turns into a call 6% of the time against 28%.

Brisket avg 149.84
Pork avg 160.20
1 call in 18 entries

A strong matchup

4–1 ahead in the head-to-head

Ahead in 80% of their meetings

They've finished ahead of smokey anderson bbq in 4 of their 5 shared contests.

The comeback

1.8 yrs off the trail, then back

Off the trail for 1.8 years, then back at BBQ WYTHE US DAY 1 (Aug 7, 2020).

last seen Oct 12, 2018
back Aug 7, 2020

Pork nemesis

13 of 15 shared pork entries lost

WOLF'S REVENGE BBQ ahead 87% of the time

Even in their strongest meat, WOLF'S REVENGE BBQ has out-cooked them in 13 of 15 shared pork entries.

Teams like this (closest power rating)

The teams rated closest to THE PIG'S EAR, each with one reason worth a look.

BUTT BROS BBQ

#6,306 of the rated field

1410 power rating

Contests: 17
GCs: 0
Top-10s: 0%
Peak: 1410

This is the highest they've ever been rated, 17 rated contests in — a team sitting at its own career peak.

rated over 17 contests
last seen Jul 19, 2019

⚔ Compare careers

Rack Em Up

#6,303 of the rated field

1410 power rating

Contests: 12
GCs: 0
Top-10s: 17%
Peak: 1500

Fewer contests behind them than THE PIG'S EAR has cooked, 12 to 20, which makes theirs the less settled rating of the two.

rated over 10 contests
last seen Aug 3, 2024

⚔ Compare careers

BONES & BIBS SWINE TEAM

#6,305 of the rated field

1410 power rating

Contests: 9
GCs: 0
Top-10s: 0%
Peak: 1410

Both teams' first contest in the data came in 2013.

rated over 9 contests
last seen Jul 12, 2019

⚔ Compare careers

OH YOU BET WE SMOKE

#6,304 of the rated field

1410 power rating

Contests: 9
GCs: 0
Top-10s: 0%
Peak: 1410

Their last contest in the data was back in 2017, 3 years before THE PIG'S EAR's most recent — their rating stopped moving when they stopped cooking.

rated over 9 contests

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Porkaholics Barbeque

#6,311 of the rated field

1409 ▼ 1 power rating

Contests: 19
GCs: 0
Top-10s: 0%
Peak: 1409

19 contests and no Grand Championship yet.

rated over 19 contests
last seen Jul 12, 2018

⚔ Compare careers

1 2 BBQ

#6,308 of the rated field

1409 ▼ 1 power rating

Contests: 18
GCs: 0
Top-10s: 0%
Peak: 1409

Level with THE PIG'S EAR on power rating, which is the whole reason they're on the list.

rated over 18 contests
last seen Aug 9, 2024

⚔ Compare careers

Familiar foes (most-met opponents in overall standings — one meeting per contest)

Opponent	Meetings	Ahead	Behind	Win rate
WOLF'S REVENGE BBQ	16	0	16	0%	⚔ compare
JD'S SMOKIN MISFITS	9	1	8	11%	⚔ compare
SMOKIN SKULLIES	9	0	9	0%	⚔ compare
REDNECK SCIENTIFIC	8	0	8	0%	⚔ compare
HOLY SMOKE BBQ-NC	7	1	6	14%	⚔ compare
OLD VIRGINIA SMOKE	7	0	7	0%	⚔ compare
Rocks Money Pit BBQ	7	0	7	0%	⚔ compare
SAUCED! BBQ TEAM	7	0	7	0%	⚔ compare
CHECKERED PIG	7	0	7	0%	⚔ compare
FRED VEGAS SMOKERS	7	0	7	0%	⚔ compare
APORKALYPSE NOW	7	0	7	0%	⚔ compare
SMOKETASTIC BBQ	6	2	4	33%	⚔ compare
3 EYZ BBQ	6	1	5	17%	⚔ compare
4:20 Q	6	1	5	17%	⚔ compare
PEPPER MONKEY BBQ	6	1	5	17%	⚔ compare

By meat

Category	Entries	Calls	Podiums	Best	Worst	Average	Avg finish
Chicken	19	0	0	168.0228	131.4284	150.41	top 80%
Pork Ribs	19	1	0	164.5944	141.6228	156.94	top 62%
Pork	18	5	1	172	149.0856	160.20	top 53%
Brisket	18	1	0	167.4628	133.6228	149.84	top 78%

“Calls” = top-10 category finishes (getting called to the stage). Scores here are the final weighted totals KCBS publishes; per-criterion appearance/taste/tenderness marks aren’t in the public results feed.

By field size and state

By contest size

Field	Contests	Avg finish
Small (<20 teams)	1	top 84%
Medium (20–39)	6	top 76%
Large (40+)	12	top 75%

By state / province (where the contests were held)

Where	Contests	Avg finish
VA	11	top 81%
NC	7	top 77%
WV	1	top 11%

Repeat visits (contests they've cooked twice or more)

Contest	Visits	Best	Avg finish	Last visit
Pigs & Pedals	3	25	top 78%	Aug 3, 2018
BBQ Jamboree	3	38	top 69%	May 13, 2016
Que & Cruz	2	28	top 92%	Oct 6, 2017

More numbers

Busiest season 2013 5 contests

Contests a season 2.9 across 7 seasons in the data

Most contests held in VA 12 of 20 contests · 3 states in all

Contests visited 14 3 of them more than once

Opponents faced 459 finished ahead 215 times, behind 623

Longest layoff 1.8 yrs Oct 12, 2018 → Aug 7, 2020

Milestones (the firsts, the round numbers and the personal bests)

20201 milestone

Aug 7 Most recent contest BBQ WYTHE US DAY 1

20161 milestone

Jun 24 Career-best single call (Pork)172 Covington Cork & Pork Festival

20151 milestone

Apr 10 10th tracked contest Bib's Camel City Cookoff (formerly Jammin' Pig)

20136 milestones

Apr 26 First tracked contest BBQ Capital Cook-Off
Apr 26 First call BBQ Capital Cook-Off
Apr 26 Peak power rating (1494) BBQ Capital Cook-Off
Sep 6 First overall top-10 Pickin' in the Panhandle
Sep 6 First overall past 90% of a perfect score664.0116 Pickin' in the Panhandle
Sep 6 Career-best overall score664.0116 Pickin' in the Panhandle

Power rating over time (1500 = average; recomputed nightly)

📈 Biggest rating jumps

Swing	Contest	Date
+15.3	Pickin' in the Panhandle	Sep 6, 2013
+2.1	Pigs & Pedals	Aug 3, 2018

📉 Toughest weekends

Swing	Contest	Date
-11.2	Eastern Carolina BBQ Throw Down	Oct 11, 2013
-10.8	Que & Cruz	Oct 6, 2017
-10.5	Shenandoah Valley BBQ Fest	Oct 17, 2014
-9.7	Que & Cruz	Jul 19, 2013
-8	Pigs & Pedals	Jul 31, 2015

Scores over time (% of a perfect score — tap a meat to add it)

Overall finish over time (top-% of field, lower is better)

Where they finish (overall)

Best vs average (by meat)

How entries end (by meat)

Season by season

Season	Contests	Top-10s	Walk rate	Avg finish	Best overall (% of perfect)	Avg overall (% of perfect)
2020	1	0	0%	top 84%	76.3%	76.3%
2018	2	0	0%	top 80%	90%	87.5%
2017	1	0	0%	top 100%	80.4%	80.4%
2016	3	0	33%	top 75%	87.4%	87%
2015	4	0	25%	top 80%	89.6%	88.3%
2014	4	0	0%	top 77%	86%	84.8%
2013	5	1	60%	top 66%	92.2%	85.5%

Contest history (click a row for the event, a column to sort)

Date	Event	Overall	Chicken	Ribs	Pork	Brisket
Aug 7, 2020	BBQ WYTHE US DAY 1 🏅 Wythe, VA	16 / 19 (274.7200)	15 (133.0972)	16 (141.6228)	—	—
Oct 12, 2018	Pigs in the Pit Alton, VA	28 / 30 (612.4116)	30 (147.9772)	20 (159.9888)	28 (153.0856)	26 (151.3600)
Aug 3, 2018	Pigs & Pedals Asheboro, NC	32 / 48 (647.9084)	21 (168.0228)	31 (161.1200)	28 (165.6684)	42 (153.0972)
Oct 6, 2017	Que & Cruz Louisa, VA	28 / 28 (579.1540)	28 (134.1484)	28 (141.6456)	20 (157.0856)	26 (146.2744)
Jun 24, 2016	Covington Cork & Pork Festival Covington, VA	23 / 27 (629.5772)	20 (158.8456)	25 (148.4916)	3 (172)	24 (150.2400)
May 13, 2016	BBQ Jamboree Fredericksburg, VA	53 / 72 (622.1260)	72 (138.7772)	53 (155.9656)	24 (163.9660)	26 (163.4172)
Apr 29, 2016	3rd Annual Pickin' N Pullin Lanexa, VA	32 / 48 (627.2680)	41 (151.3828)	29 (160.5484)	35 (156.5140)	27 (158.8228)
Jul 31, 2015	Pigs & Pedals Asheboro, NC	28 / 31 (637.6800)	17 (164.5944)	20 (162.2972)	31 (151.9312)	25 (158.8572)
Jun 19, 2015	Peak City Pigfest Apex, NC	28 / 45 (645.0172)	32 (160.5832)	24 (162.8228)	10 (167.9884)	38 (153.6228)
Apr 17, 2015	2nd Annual Pickin' N' Pullin BBQ Competition Lanexa, VA	—	—	—	—	—
Apr 10, 2015	Bib's Camel City Cookoff (formerly Jammin' Pig) Winston-Salem, NC	44 / 51 (624.4116)	48 (154.2516)	35 (162.2744)	45 (154.8228)	41 (153.0628)
Oct 17, 2014	Shenandoah Valley BBQ Fest Woodstock, VA	37 / 40 (596.3656)	39 (143.3940)	28 (156.5260)	36 (149.0856)	36 (147.3600)
Aug 1, 2014	Pigs & Pedals Asheboro, NC	25 / 32 (619.3256)	26 (155.4172)	18 (158.8456)	17 (159.9656)	25 (145.0972)
May 9, 2014	BBQ Jamboree Fredericksburg, VA	38 / 64 (616.5144)	37 (155.3600)	31 (157.7144)	27 (159.4628)	52 (143.9772)
Apr 4, 2014	Rockahock's Pickin' and Pullin' Festival Lanexa, VA	32 / 41 (611.3940)	37 (149.1312)	21 (156.5600)	11 (162.8572)	38 (142.8456)
Oct 11, 2013	Eastern Carolina BBQ Throw Down Rocky Mount, NC	49 / 55 (611.8056)	53 (147.9772)	40 (153.6456)	7 (167.9772)	49 (142.2056)
Sep 6, 2013	Pickin' in the Panhandle Inwood, WV	4 / 37 (664.0116)	13 (163.9544)	7 (164.5944)	10 (168)	7 (167.4628)
Jul 19, 2013	Que & Cruz Louisa, VA	38 / 45 (596.4684)	36 (152.5600)	21 (158.8800)	34 (151.4056)	44 (133.6228)
May 10, 2013	BBQ Jamboree Fredericksburg, VA	45 / 60 (577.7140)	56 (131.4284)	28 (153.7144)	38 (150.2858)	41 (142.2854)
Apr 26, 2013	BBQ Capital Cook-Off Lexington, NC	49 / 71 (626.2854)	66 (146.8572)	23 (164.5714)	10 (171.4284)	63 (143.4284)

THE PIG'S EAR

At a glance (the record in numbers)

Power ranking

Rating

Contests

First seen

Grand champs

Category wins

Overall top-10s

Avg finish

Best overall

Perfect 180s

Current form

Walk rate

Best single call

Consistency

Strongest meat

Road miles

Schedule strength

Purse competed for

State championships

Master avg

Backyard avg

Storylines (7 found in their record)

High-water mark

Their season

A tough matchup

The weak link

A strong matchup

The comeback

Pork nemesis

Teams like this (closest power rating)

Familiar foes (most-met opponents in overall standings — one meeting per contest)

By meat

By field size and state

By contest size

By state / province (where the contests were held)

Repeat visits (contests they've cooked twice or more)

More numbers

Milestones (the firsts, the round numbers and the personal bests)

Power rating over time (1500 = average; recomputed nightly)

📈 Biggest rating jumps

📉 Toughest weekends

Scores over time (% of a perfect score — tap a meat to add it)

Overall finish over time (top-% of field, lower is better)

Where they finish (overall)

Best vs average (by meat)

How entries end (by meat)

Season by season

Contest history (click a row for the event, a column to sort)

Career map (orange GC · green top-10 · grey the rest — tap a pin)