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Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook Explodes with In-depth Analysis

13 July 2005

Which college grad from last year has gone on to the NFL? Who replaces these stars? Who are the backups in case the No. 1 guy gets hurt? These are key questions any college football bettor asks before the season opens. And these (and more) are the questions Chris Dortch and his staff answer in the 2005 Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook (384 pages, paperbound, $21.95).

You won¹t find betting angles or pointspreads in this gem of a reference guide that coaches, recruiters, scouts and sportscasters use for finding information, but you will find analysis of strengths, weaknesses, projections, and ratings of offense and defense for the upcoming season.

This is a must-read-before-the-season-starts book to help you identify key matchups, major conference clashes and situations that could mean "the big upset."

The book tells you how many offensive and defensive starters are returning, who the coaches are and what their philosophy or emphasis might be. It explains how they look at offense and defense and whether they are under excessive pressure to win. It shows who was disappointed, who filled in some gaps and who got caught short in recruiting.

It's important to know it might take a few non-conference games for junior college transfers to "gel" in an offense; or that a key player is recovering from surgery or has worked himself into shape after an off-year. Or that the 2005 team is relying more on passing than in previous years or has decided defense is the key.

The book examines categories such as wide receivers and tight ends; quarterbacks; running backs; offensive and defensive lines; kickers; punters; special teams; recruiting. Then Dortch and the staff bring up key questions and offer answers.

This is the fifth year for the football book. Its older brother, the Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook, founded by Chris Wallace (now general manager of the Boston Celtics) is in its 25th year.

This resource should help identify "sleepers" (underrated teams) early in the season and those perhaps given over-optimistic ratings. In either case, the book has value because of its depth of coverage and price. Get it before the season begins. It should help you win a few extra units after Labor Day.

Howard Schwartz
Howard Schwartz, the "librarian for gamblers," was the marketing director for Gambler's Book Club in Las Vegas, a position he held from 1979 to 2010, when he retired. Author of hundreds of articles on gambling, his weekly book reviews appear in numerous publications throughout the gaming industry.

Howard Schwartz Websites:

www.gamblersbook.com
Howard Schwartz
Howard Schwartz, the "librarian for gamblers," was the marketing director for Gambler's Book Club in Las Vegas, a position he held from 1979 to 2010, when he retired. Author of hundreds of articles on gambling, his weekly book reviews appear in numerous publications throughout the gaming industry.

Howard Schwartz Websites:

www.gamblersbook.com