2025 Playbook Football Questions Interviews

1. What is your primary style of handicapping?
I use a combination of my computer modelling and my 38 years of experience in the field.  I look for edges in injuries and scheduling and combine with my own computer algorithm models to give me my plays. 

2. What is your “golden rule” of handicapping?
A lucky win is just as sweet as a calculated win

3. What is the first thing you look for when handicapping a game?
I always look at scheduling first to see if there is any advantage to either team.  Is there revenge, fatigue, player resting spots.... whatever it is.  I go from there. 

4. Which team statistic do you value the most?
I like to look at a team's pace.  Are they fast, slow, will they get more scoring opportunities than their opponent?

5. What do you like the most about the expanded college football playoff?
Gives teams more to play for down the stretch. Bowl Games in general no longer hold that allure. Many players opt out to go in the NFL draft or enter the portal and bowl games can be very washed down. But the playoffs, you get players that will tend to stay and play in those. 

6. Which college football team is most likely to win this season's playoff?
I look for two teams to be the top favorites:

Ohio State Buckeyes: The defending national champions are favored to repeat, despite transitioning to a new quarterback after Will Howard's departure. 

Texas Longhorns:
With Arch Manning stepping in at quarterback, Texas is among the top favorites to win the title.

7. Biggest surprise college football team this season?
I look at two teams:

Boise State Broncos: Boise State is generating buzz as a top Group Five contender. With the CFP adopting a new seeding method that eliminates automatic seeding based on conference championships in favor of a straight forward ranking-based model, dubbed informally as the "Boise State rule," the Broncos' path to the playoff is more attainable. 

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets: Georgia Tech is another team to watch. Quarterback Haynes King has been excellent in two seasons in Atlanta, posting 62 total touchdowns in 24 games with the Yellow Jackets. This feels like a program that is set to ascend under head coach Brent Key, and beating everyone except Clemson and Georgia on their schedule could put them firmly in the playoff mix

8. Biggest college football bust this season?
Colorado Buffaloes: Colorado's 2024 season was marked by a remarkable turnaround, securing 9 wins under head coach Deion Sanders. However, the team now faces the challenge of replacing key players, including quarterback Shedeur Sanders and two-way star Travis Hunter. With uncertainties at quarterback and a need to rebuild the rushing offense I look for this team to be one of the biggest disappoints in 2025. 

9. Which college football coach commands your attention from a handicapping perspective?
Kirby Smart – Georgia Bulldogs: Smart continues to lead Georgia with distinction, having secured back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022. With a career record of 105–19, he remains a formidable presence in the SEC. 

Ryan Day – Ohio State Buckeyes: Ryan Day has maintained Ohio State's status as a national powerhouse, boasting a 70–10 record since taking over in 2019. His leadership has kept the Buckeyes consistently competitive at the highest level. 

10. Which NFL team is most likely to win this season's Super Bowl?
I don't see much change from last year. 

Philadelphia Eagles: With their recent championship and a roster that remains largely intact, the Eagles are poised for another strong season.

Kansas City Chiefs: Despite their recent Super Bowl loss, the Chiefs have a history of resilience and success, making them perennial contenders.

Baltimore Ravens: Led by quarterback Lamar Jackson, the Ravens have consistently been a formidable team in the AFC.

Buffalo Bills: With a potent offense and solid defense, the Bills remain a threat in the AFC. 

11. Biggest surprise NFL team this season?
Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers are often overlooked, yet under head coach Mike Tomlin, they've never had a losing season. This year, they could exceed expectations. The Steelers have a strong roster on both sides of the ball, positioning them for a potential playoff run.

12. Biggest NFL bust this season?
New York Giants: Facing a Challenging Season

Toughest Schedule: The Giants are slated to face the NFL’s most challenging schedule in 2025, with opponents holding a combined .574 winning percentage from the previous season. This includes ten games against 2024 playoff teams, such as the Eagles, Chiefs, and 49ers. 

Quarterback Uncertainty: The team has added quarterbacks Jaxson Dart, Russell Wilson, and Jameis Winston, aiming to stabilize the position. However, the lack of a clear starter and potential for inconsistency could hamper offensive effectiveness. 

13.  Who is your favorite recording artist?
I like both Chicago and the Eagles, though they are groups and not individual artists. 

14. What is your favorite song?
Anything from the Eagles or Chicago. 

15. What is your favorite movie?
Gone with the Wind.  Classic movie and while maybe not politically correct in this era, still tops my list. I am also a big Film Noir Nerd and Laura from 1944 stands out as my top. 

16. What is your favorite meal?
Italian, especially gnocchi.