The PBR Built Ford Tough Series resumes this weekend in Nashville, and the event should have plenty of intrigue. The title races are heating up, and it looks like there will be a very strong pen of bulls as well. I’ve put together eight key first-round match-ups to keep an eye on. If you have any others you want to talk about, please list them below or email me at: [email protected]. Thanks for reading and supporting Rant Sports Bull Riding!
Aaron Roy vs. The Game
Aaron Roy has had a pretty decent 2010 so far, and he is currently in 16th in the standings. He rode one out of three in San Antonio a couple weeks ago. He has drawn The Game in round one this weekend. This bull is owned by Brandon Gasper Bucking Bulls, and he is making his 2010 BFTS debut in Nashville. He was very strong at the end of 2009, and he is a bull that can get a rider close to 90 points. Roy is a bigger cowboy, and these kind of bulls fit him pretty well. This should be good watching.
My Pick: Aaron Roy
Brendon Clark vs. Outa Da Red
Brendon Clark has had a resurgence the last couple months, and he is riding as well as he has in years. He is coming off a two-for-three performance in San Antonio. He has drawn Circle T’s Outa Da Red in round one. This bull isn’t as rider-friendly as his running mate Outa Da Blue, but he is still one the guys like to draw. He has been ridden three times in 10 outs on the BFTS in 2010, and the average ride score is 87 points. This won’t be a gimmie for Clark, but it’s one he should take care of.
My Pick: Brendon Clark
Guilherme Marchi vs. Commotion
Guilherme Marchi is once again in the middle of a title race, but he has fought injuries much more this season than any in the past. He is still fifth in the world, however. His first-round bull is Commotion, a bull owned by D&H Cattle Co./Tom Luthy. This bull has been ridden two times in 13 BFTS outs this season, and his average bull score is 43.62 points. He has been a short-go bull on numerous occasions, and he isn’t one the riders necessarily want to have. Marchi still isn’t feeling 100%, and this bull is all over the place and won’t help things.
My Pick: Commotion
J.B. Mauney vs. Outa Da Blue
J.B. Mauney’s recent struggles have been well-documented, but he has shown positive signs the last two events. Regardless of how poorly he has ridden the last handful of BFTS events, he is still seventh in the standings. He has drawn the pick of the litter in round one in Outa Da Blue. This bull is owned by Circle T, and he has been ridden 11 times in 14 outs this season. On top of that, the average ride score is close to 88 points. If Mauney bucks off this one, it’s panic time. He won’t though, and he will be on his way to a possible event win.
My Pick: J.B. Mauney
McKennon Wimberly vs. Shortcut
McKennon Wimberly has had a great 2010 season, but he has struggled a little on the BFTS as of late. In fact, he has bucked off his last six bulls at the big time. His first-round bull is Shortcut, a bull owned by Circle T Ranch and Rodeo. This bull has been out twice on the BFTS this year, and he has been ridden one time for a ride score of 86.75 points. Fans who follow multiple associations will know this bull is definitely better than he has been his first two outs. Wimberly has struggled recently on the BFTS, and this bull is going to keep getting better and better under the bright lights.
My Pick: Shortcut
Robson Palermo vs. Chance
Robson Palermo has battled injuries the past couple months, and from what I read on the PBR website earlier this week, he was going miss significant time because of hand problems. He missed the Tulsa event before going 0-for-2 in San Antonio. His first-round bull is Chance who is owned by Teague Bucking Bulls, LLC. This bull is often in the short-go, and so far in 2010, he has been ridden three times in nine outs for an average ride score of 89.25 points. This is normally a great draw, but similar to Marchi’s situation, this isn’t a great bull to get on if the rider isn’t 100%. It could be the round win or a quick buckoff.
My Pick: Chance
Shane Proctor vs. Comet’s Gold
Shane Proctor has cooled off considerably since starting off the season on a hot streak. He didn’t cover a bull in Tulsa or San Antonio, and he will have to get hot if he wants to make it into the top 10 before the Final Five Chase. He has drawn the bull Comet’s Gold in the first round this weekend. This bull, owned by Box K Cattle, is pretty new to the BFTS. For those who watch the CBR, however, this bull has been one of the best this season. He is capable of taking a guy close to or above 90 points, and this could be a contender for the round win. That being said, Proctor hasn’t shown us much as of late, and he will have to have his ducks in a row to get a score.
My Pick: Comet’s Gold
Travis Briscoe vs. Cajun Blast
Travis Briscoe has been hard to figure out. He is fourth in the standings, but he has also cooled off quite a bit since the early part of the season. That being said, he is coming off a 10th-place finish in San Antonio. His first-round bull is Cajun Blast, another bull owned by Circle T Ranch and Rodeo. In 10 BFTS outs in 2010, he has been ridden five times for an average ride score of 86.45 points. This is another one the riders love to draw, and even though Briscoe has been a little inconsistent lately, this is one he should handle. It should put him in the top 10 in the round.
My Pick: Travis Briscoe
