Two Iskoe Systems Analysis Books; Power System Workbook Fresh New Football Books

23 August 2006

By Howard Schwartz

Andy Iskoe's Pointspread Encyclopedia - College Football (143 pages, 8x11 plastic spiralbound, $29.95) and his NFL Teams & Situations (141 pages, 8x11 plastic spiralbound, $29.95) are the latest arrivals at GBC, along with the 2006 NFL & NCAA Football Power System Workbook from Pro Info Sports (51 pages, 8x11 paperbound, $24.95). For the angle shooter, the system player and those who believe history can and will repeat often enough to produce a profit each season, these three books offer a trainload of goodies and become fine time savers for the busy handicapper.

Iskoe's College Football work examines 16 years of college action in more than two dozen situations (such as how they did as home dog; on grass vs. turf, in sandwich games, in the first five games of the season, in their final game, after scoring 30 points in a previous game, and in non-conference home games). You can examine performance year by year since 2000 or for the last three seasons altogether as well as for the last six seasons combined to see if a trend holds up in the long run.

A sample or two: Indiana is 1-8 on grass since 2003 against the spread; 3-14 against quality teams at home since 2000. Tennessee against quality teams at home is a poor 2-14-1 against the line since 2000 (0-9 since 2003).

The book's section on college line moves of significance (meaning at least 1.5 points movement from the opening line) is an eye-opener. It covers the years from 1990 to 2005, and answers the question about whether it's wise to follow the "smart money" or not.

Iskoe's Teams & Situations analyzes three dozen situations, year by year, for the past three years and six years back. Samples: The Baltimore Ravens are 14-5 since 2003 against the spread as a home favorite and seem to do well in their second four games of the year, covering the spread in nine of 12 opportunities. The Cincinnati Bengals are 7-1 as a road dog for the past three years and 7-4 against the line during that same period vs. interconference teams.

If you wish to see how the entire NFL does as let's say, home favorite, home dog, season by season since 2000 or three years or even six years back, the book shows you the results.

New to GBC this year is the NFL & NCAA Football Power System Workbook. Similar in style to Marc Lawrence's Black Book which contains 100% systems, this book even offers rationale or a reason chosen angles continue to win or lose.

There are 25 systems for college and an equal number for the colleges. Two samples:

Play against a non-division road underdog/pick em off a Monday home straight-up win in its last game vs. an opponent not off a road overtime straight up win in its last game. The author shows 16 past games since 1993, with three opportunities occurring in 2005.

One sample from the colleges: Play on a road underdog of more than five points off a non-conference road/neutral straight-up loss as a favorite of 10 or more points.

There was one play in 2005 that won and in 15 previous plays dating back to 1980.

You'll have to have some patience and do some research for this book, but those who can wait for their spot might earn some extra units as a payoff for their diligence.