TOM STRYKER’S SYSTEM of the WEEK

Handicapping the first few weeks of the college football season can be tricky. Unlike the pros, the NCAA doesn’t allow exhibition games. When a college team tees it up for the first time, surprises can be in store. Depending on the amount of returning starters, both in the trenches and at the skill positions, teams can look completely different than they did the year before.

There is one variable that I’ve found in my 21-year career that has helped me early – REVENGE. During spring practices, in the weight room and even when kids report, they KNOW their opponents well in advance. Paybacks can be a “you-know-what” and that fact is certainly displayed in the following system:

Since 1980, PLAY ON any road dog of +6 to pick in their first road game of the season if they are playing with revenge.

25 Year ATS Record – 70-38 ATS for 64.8 percent.

If you think about this system for a second, it makes perfect sense. The general public is well aware of last year’s results. Certainly, if our home team defeated this opponent last season and our host is installed at a cheap price (-6 to pick), it would be “automatic” for the novice to lay the lumber here wouldn’t it? As you can plainly see, that’s NOT a wise decision.

On this weekend’s card, there are four Road Opening Revengers: Oklahoma State, Tulsa, Nevada and Florida State.

There is one tightener that applies to this college system that makes it more effective. If our guest playing their first road game of the season is matched up against a foe that won eight games or more last season, this technical situation improves to a blistering 28-11 ATS for 71.7 percent since 1986! There is ONE team out of that foursome that applies – FLORIDA STATE.

Good Luck with the Seminoles on Friday night!

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