Stupid judges....stupid chicken...
That happened with our ribs in Dover last year. We thought for sure they were going to at least place and we got 73rd out of 81. You just never know.
It can be a real crap shoot. Being of a judge persuasion myself, you're
subject to the 6 judges there are your table. Perhaps your entry was
a little too salty, or too hot (cayenne), or had another taste that didnt
tickle the fancy of the particular judges at your table. Many times that
very same entry, on another table, or at another comp will score
dramatically different. Also, your entry is subject to the entry right
before it. Meaning, if the entry before you was ghastly bad, the odds
are good that your entry will suffer ill effects; reference Jamie's
cayenne experiment in the last BBQ Pitmasters show. I've seen that
same type of thing happen many times (over time).
I always suggest: cook what you enjoy (as long as it's not toooo extreme).
I like spicy (and hot). Our Q is therefore spicy and a little cayenne hot,
but not heavily. It will still not be everyones cup-o-tea. That's just
the way it goes...