I'm gonna do a mock competition (kcbs) to get my times down and I actually have about a hundred 9x9 containers thanks to a friend. I looked at some bb ribs while I was sam's and was disappointed in them. They were tiny and I don't think you could have gotten 2 pieces from each one that would have enough meat or be similar in size. As far as the chicken.... I like to cook thighs, but would a breast that is as juicy and flavorful as a proper thigh have a better chance?
If you cook a good thigh, then by all means go with that. There is no
white -> dark meat bias. The perfect thigh could easily tie the perfect
breast. However, getting that breast perfect in the judges hands (15 or
20 minutes after you've taken it off the grill) is VERY tough.
You'd asked earlier about ribs and chicken. More than anything else, know
that if you present it, it's going to be eaten/sampled by a judge. So, dont
present anything that you intended as decoration, etc. For example, if
your chicken is presented with skin, do not expect the judge to remove the
skin. So, if the skin in rubbery, bad news... Also, the judges are looking
for great tasting tender/moist meat. So, for ribs, present whatever works
best for you. They're going to be biting them, so make sure you remove
the membrane. Otherwise, go with what works for you. I would suggest
that you not heavily sauce. The sauce should compliment the flavor of
the meat; not over-power it. Medium to light, or possibly no sauce if
they're great Memphis style works fine. Again, it really gets back to the
basics of tender, moist, flavorful. I did a contest that was MBN a while
back and had a friend do ribs... He was so panic'd that he went with
Memphis style when honestly he didnt do a good Memphis style rib. The
ribs were slammed, because they weren't great. It's really simple: go with
what works for you.
Then, it'll come down to the judges at your table. You can put the same product
in 3 times, land on 3 different tables, and come away with 3 very different sets
of scores. It just happens... Know that you can't please everyone every time.
However, you can turn-off most everyone darned near every time. Think tasty.
Spicy, but not too spicy. Sweet, but not too sweet.