2024 Playbook Football Questions Interviews

1. What is your primary style of handicapping?
I use our exclusive Power Ratings along with a combination of fundamental and situational handicapping.
 
2. What is your “golden rule” of handicapping?
Patience. There are no shortcuts when it comes to handicapping sports. Even with all the technology and innovations over the last three decades it is still a long and detailed process to win consistently.

3. What is the first thing you look for when handicapping a game?
It’s quite simple, I look for an advantage. In most cases the first thing I look at are our power ratings and that is where I start searching for an advantage. Once an advantage has been established in the Power Ratings the fundamental and situational process begins.
 
4. Which team statistic do you value the most?
I do not necessarily value one team stat more than another. I study all the stats to locate a possible weakness or an advantage that we can exploit.

5. What do you like the most about the expanded college football playoff?
Last season was a perfect example of what was wrong with the four-team playoffs. Georgia and FSU deserved a chance to play in the playoffs along with the four other teams that made it into last year’s playoffs. Looking back over the years there have been numerous times there were more than four teams that deserved a chance to play. Plus, it extends the college football season, which is always a wonderful thing.

6. Which college football coach commands your attention from a handicapping perspective?
I do not have a single college football coach that I would say commands my attention. I always study how coaches perform ATS in certain situations and use that information in the handicapping process.

7. My all-time favorite college football player is:
Bo Jackson. He could change a game in one play and did that many times during his short career. He was unique in that he had the size and power of a fullback while picking them up and putting them down at a sprinters pace. I was fortunate to be able to see him play numerous times in person and he was remarkable.  Simple awesome.

8. Which college football team is most likely to win this season's playoff?
Texas Longhorns  They are loaded with experience on both sides of the ball and have already proven they belong with the top teams in college football. 

9. Biggest surprise college football team this season?
Mississippi Rebels    The Rebels were very active in the portal this offseason in fact the Buckeyes are the only team that was more active than the Rebels. Head Coach Lane Kiffin has done an excellent job with the Rebels, they are coming off their best season in one-hundred years. The SEC will be different this season and it affords the Rebels the opportunity to be in the mix for the title.
 
10. Biggest college football bust this season?
USC Trojans   The Trojans with all their talent over the last few years have not made the CFP. This year their schedule does not have a single FCS opponent. They open in Vegas against LSU, and they have another ten games that feature teams that went bowling in 2023. The only team they will face that did not play in a bowl game is Nebraska. 

11. Biggest NFL bust this season?
Denver Broncos.
 
12. Biggest surprise NFL team this season?
New York Jets.

13. Which NFL team is most likely to win this season's Super Bowl?
San Francisco 49ers.
 
14.  My favorite all-time NFL player is -
Lawrence Taylor   He completely changed the position of linebacker in the NFL. Unbelievable player that could take over a game.

15. NFL MVP this season will be -
Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens.

16. NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year this season will be -
Well the most obvious choice would be CJ Stroud. Although it would be a great surprise to have someone else with a great season performance and surprise everyone by winning the Offensive Rookie of the Year this year.

17.  Who is your favorite recording artist?
David Gilmour (Pink Floyd).

18. What is your favorite song?
Comfortably Numb.

19. What is your favorite movie?
Spy Game.
 
20.If I had one last meal, it would be:
Caio Epi  A very simple pasta dish and when prepared correctly it is one of the best things you will ever put in your mouth.