POSSIBLY MARC’S BEST “BETCHA DIDN’T KNOW”

The song was recorded in February - March 1966, and was originally intended as a demo.

It was issued as a 45 single in 1966 when producer Elli Greenwich came up with the chorus and can be heard as the prominent background voice, accompanied by Jeff Barry.

Diamond has stated that the song was inspired by an early relationship with a significantly older woman.

Rolling Stone™ would later label "Cherry, Cherry" as "one of the greatest three-chord songs of all time".

"Cherry, Cherry" was Diamond's first big hit and I chose for publication in the Playbook Black Book because it themed around his coming-out party.

And speaking of flipping the script—when NFL teams do just that from one season to the next, they often struggle when asked to carry added weight.

Take this: NFL teams that go from double-digit wins and playoff status one season to 0-1 or worse the next, often “break their cherry” quickly when installed as underdogs—going a reliable 66-45-3 ATS, including 16-12 SU / 20-8 ATS since 2017.

To better qualify these teams, our Well-Oiled Machine recommends you:

PLAY ON any winless (0-1 or worse) NFL underdog

that won 10+ games and made the

playoffs the previous season.

Anxious to wipe the egg off their face, these dogs tend to bark with purpose—going 66-43-3 ATS overall, including 3-1 SUATS last year alone.

Even better? Match them up against teams that also won 10+ games the previous season, and they improve to 36-21-1 ATS. And when that opponent was not favored by six or more points in their previous game? The system sharpens: 27-10 ATS, including 16-1 ATS against an opponent that allows more than 109 rushing yards per game.

Our hold your nose team this week is the slumping LA Chargers.

Because when the tempo flips and the books overreact... that’s when the dogs sing loudest. After all -

She got the way to move me, Cherry

She got the way to groove me

She got the way to move me, Cherry

She got the way to groove me

I hope you enjoyed this Black Book treatise. They are music themes centered around strong handicapping situations in football that are highly profitable. You can instantly download a PDF version of the 212-page 2026 Black Book here.

You can also see and hear Neil Diamond version of “Cherry Cherry” in our Song of the Week at the end of this Coffee Club.

Enjoy the games this weekend and let’s hope the ball bounces our way.

IT’S TIIME FOR A HOME DOG REBOUND

NFL favorites took care of business during the opening week of the 2026 season, winning 12 of 16 games. They also posted a slightly profitable 9-7 ATS mark.

Not much changed in Week 2. Although there were three shocking upsets — the Ravens, Buccaneers and Chargers all lost as substantial favorites at home — favorites still finished 11-5 SU and 8-8 ATS.

Which brings us to an interesting NFL betting trends narrative that is present on the Week 3 card: Road teams are favored in nine of 16 games, with five of those visitors laying more than a field goal.

How have road favorites fared so far in the young season? 7-1 SU, 5-3 ATS.

I’m betting the home dogs bark this week. Are you with me?

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WHO’S IN AND WHO’s OUT

Ah, yes—the NFL Injury List, where the steam begins and point spreads go to sweat.

Here are the biggest names either out or highly unlikely to answer Sunday’s bell:

• Jayden Daniels, QB, Commanders — Out with a left elbow injury. Marcus Mariota is expected to draw the start against Seattle.

• Nick Bosa, DE, 49ers — Out with a calf injury suffered during Thursday’s practice. He could miss multiple weeks, with injured reserve now in play.

• Nico Collins, WR, Texans — Out with a hamstring injury against Indianapolis. Houston’s passing attack felt his absence last week—and likely will again.

• Puka Nacua, WR, Rams — Doubtful with hip and groin issues for Sunday night at Denver. Translation: don’t count on him.

Still sweating it out:

• Mike Evans, WR, 49ers — Questionable with a hip injury. He was limited Friday and appears headed for a game-time call against Arizona.

• Brock Bowers, TE, Raiders — Questionable with a knee injury at New Orleans after doing little in practice this week.

• Zay Flowers, WR, Ravens — Questionable with a hamstring injury for the Brazil battle against Dallas.

• Washington will also be without Sam Cosmi, Frankie Luvu and Chig Okonkwo.

• Buffalo wide receivers Keon Coleman and DJ Moore are both questionable against the Chargers.

Remember, “questionable” is NFL code for stay tuned. Check the official inactive list 90 minutes before kickoff—because that’s when rumors become reality and betting lines start doing their thing.

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IS THE SADDLE SLIPPING FOR THE BRONCOS!N

Three weeks into the college football season, only six Group of 6 teams remain unbeaten: South Florida, Tulsa, UMass, North Dakota State, Appalachian State and James Madison.

Perfect records matter, but so do schedules, style points and surviving the biggest tests.

With the highest-ranked G6 team earning a College Football Playoff berth—conference champion or not—the weekly beauty contest has officially begun. Lrt’s take a look at the current Top 10 ranked squads...
10. Oregon State (1–2), Pac-12

After testing ranked Big 12 contenders Texas Tech and Houston, the Beavers blasted FCS No. 4 Montana, 52-17. Braden Atkinson threw for 333 yards and five touchdowns, giving him 1,120 yards, eight scores and one interception. First-year coach JaMarcus Shephard has something cooking.
9. South Florida (3–0), American

USF’s 19-9 opener over FIU was no Picasso, but the Bulls followed with a dramatic win at Army and a 59-17 rout of Delaware State. Michael Van Buren Jr. has warmed up, passing for 539 yards and three touchdowns over the past two games.
8. UMass (3–0), MAC

Break up the Minutemen. UMass is 3-0 for the first time since 2007 and heads to Sacramento State favored in its first MAC game. Pop Watson has supplied new coach Joe Harasymiak with a dynamic centerpiece. Fluke or not, it’s a terrific early-season story.
7. New Mexico (2–1), Mountain West

The Lobos lost to Oklahoma, 14-6, but held the Sooners to 299 yards and 1.9 yards per rush. That’s serious defense. The question is whether Oklahoma’s offense—with only 24 points in two weeks—is seriously broken. Rival New Mexico State comes next.
6. Memphis (3–1), American

Memphis rebounded from its Boise beating by dropping 45 points on UT Martin. However, a defense allowing at least 21 points in every game ranks No. 98 in SP+. The Tigers can still win the American, but jumping Boise after losing head-to-head is another matter.
5. Western Michigan (2–1), MAC

The Broncos escaped Rice, 28-21, behind their deliberate ground-and-pound offense. They run nearly two-thirds of the time and average 32.7 seconds per play, third slowest nationally. Style points matter—unless they beat Boise State Saturday. Then nothing else does.
4. James Madison (3–0), Sun Belt

After stumbling past Liberty, the Dukes hung 87 on Wagner and handled San Diego State, 26-13, on the road. Billy Napier’s club suddenly looks much more like the JMU machines built by Curt Cignetti and Bob Chesney. Once again, the Sun Belt road runs through Harrisonburg.
3. North Dakota State (4–0), Mountain West

From the FCS playoffs to the College Football Playoff? Believe it. The Bison are 4-0 despite assembling this roster for another FCS season. They’ve dominated three opponents, with an October 24 showdown at New Mexico looming as a potential G6 elimination game.
2. Tulsa (3–0), American

Tulsa takes its unbeaten record to Arkansas seeking a second Power 4 scalp. The Razorbacks laying a touchdown feels ambitious given their early struggles. Beat an SEC opponent on the road, and the Golden Hurricane would own the G6’s most impressive September résumé.
1. Boise State (2–1), Pac-12

The Broncos keep the crown—but it’s wobbling. South Dakota struck for six passes of at least 15 yards in Boise’s shaky 38-24 win. Fortunately, Dylan Riley rushed for 198 yards and Sire Gaines added 102. Riley has 404 yards in two weeks, with both backs topping 90 in each.

Boise remains No. 1—for now. But Saturday’s trip to Western Michigan is no joyride. The posse is closing fast.

WEEK 4 IS WHEN THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD

Conference play is kicking in, the public is still chasing last week’s box scores, and the books haven’t caught up.

Week 4 is when the rubber meets the road and the cupcakes start disappearing.

Three betting spots from Sports Illustrated that are worthy of consideration...

Tennessee (+165) vs. Texas
Arch Manning’s been a brick so far. Texas is limping along at 5.3 yards a pop — 78th in the land — and last week versus UTSA he coughed up 164 yards at a sad 4.9 yards per toss. They leaned on the ground game and papered it over. That dog don’t hunt against Tennessee. The Vols are humming at 6.6 yards a snap, 18th nationally, and they’ve hung a 42-burger in every game. This is a live dog with teeth: better offense, better juice, plus-money on a club that can actually move the chains. I’m pounding Tennessee to cash the ticket outright.
The Pick: Tennessee +165

Oklahoma vs. Georgia — UNDER 44.5
Skip the side. The number is the play. Sooner offense has been a wet blanket, but that D is nasty — 3.5 yards allowed per snap, fourth in the country. Georgia’s front is right on their heels at 3.7. Two stingy defenses, two offenses that haven’t shown they can light the scoreboard. Forty-four and a half is a trap. This one’s a rock fight. Ride the under and not lose a wink.
The Pick: UNDER 44.5

Ole Miss vs. Florida — Florida -3.
5I still isn’t buying the Rebels. Fraud alert. That defense has leaks, and Florida’s going to pour through ’em. The Gators are cooking at 7.7 yards a play. If Ole Miss couldn’t bottle Louisville, the Gators are going to steamroll ’em.Florida’s a real SEC horse. They’re covering the field goal and then some. Lay the 3.5 without blinking.
Pick: Florida -3.5

______________________________

HOT HOT HOT
Marc has nailed each of his two 5-Star releases
the Saints (+8.5) over the Ravens last Sunday,
and Michigan (+5.5) over Oklahoma two weeks ago.
His 5-Star CFB Game of the Month goes this Saturday.
You can get it online now at PlaybookSports.com or
with another 5-Star Weekend of Winners (5-1 last week)
at PlaybookSports.com or call Toll Free: 800.321.7777

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