Why include the spread...? Here's my two cents...the payout schedule isn't associated with the spread, nor is our vote...we can only cast one vote per contest for one team...it would be different if we could cast 5 votes for Alabama, and the payout schedule was going to take the spread into account...we are each casting a single vote, which is all we are allowed...it should be for the winner...team stats and overall standings are not based on covering the spread either...a win is a win.