AVER'S

Mad Mushroom didn't make it this year. I would claim to be disappointed, but I simply can't be, since their cheesesticks are the very reason I gained 30 pounds my freshman year.\nI never was a big Aver's fan, the joint that reigned in at first place for best pizza, but then again, I've tried to boycott the entire pizza industry since that fateful Thanksgiving of 2001 when my family subtly insisted that I not have any pie for dessert.\nBut Aver's, a frequent favorite among students -- especially for delivery -- continues to be popular, secretly doubling the freshmen 15 (or in my case, junior) as the Crazy Eight deal lives on.\nThe silver medal goes to Mother Bear's (my personal favorite, as if you care) who's deep dish pizza, sauce on top, remains one of the unique pizzas offered locally. Although Mother Bear's is a bit more pricey than the others, it's made up for in quality. This is one of the pizzas you can actually enjoy sober, prior to 3 a.m.\nElaine Ellis, junior, is a loyal Pizza Express fan, which survey says earns third place.\n"I really like Pizza Express for delivery, but I really like Rockit's," she says.\nMe too. And since this is my story, I'm going to allow myself to tell you I was disappointed that the little hole in the wall next to The Bluebird didn't qualify as a favorite this year.\nBut the bronze winner, Pizza Express, does have one big thing going for them again this year. They have the easiest phone number to remember while intoxicated -- and they changed shirt colors from yellow to a ravishing sky blue ... which means the cups in your cabinet changed colors too. Hooray for the Big 10, in pizza and life.