Home Field Advantage in the MLB (Part 3) by: Proloy Bhattacharyya

By Proloy Bhattacharyya

NFLSystems.com

proloy@nflsystems.com

September 12, 2005

In one of our earlier articles, we demonstrated how the home field advantage was stronger in the first game of a series and qualified that by explaining how the opposing team has to travel to a visitor's stadium and may struggle in the first game.

I wanted to apply a few handicapping principles that we generally apply to the NBA such as the betting against a team on zero-days rest angle.

Home teams in the first game of a series are 54.4% winners if their opponent is playing back-to-back days but only 52.8% if their opponent has had 1 or more days rest. This is a significant advantage that is averaged over approximately 5000 games.

If we condition this fact on our team not having to travel because its previous game was at home, the percentage increases to 975-801, 54.9%. In fact, blindly betting home teams in this situation is +26 units over the past 6 years. Because of the large number of games in baseball, even simple angles such as these do not get factored into the spread as they should.

As my "2005 YTD Home Favorite Money Line Records" piece suggested, home teams perform much better against non-divisional rivals than against divisional rivals. Utilizing that knowledge, we improve this system to 55.6%, +39 units.

American League favorites that fall into this system are 226-113 (66.7%), +56 units over the past 6 seasons with no losing seasons. Even though this is coincidental

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Paintball Is A Bang-Up Sport For Anyone by: Lee Rummage

Ron Fowler said it feels like being hit with a wet towel. Bryan Vasaris said it's like being snapped with a rubber band or stung by a bee. Being shot by a paintball gun doesn't sound very fun. So why is paintball one of the fastest growing sports in America, according to the National Sporting Goods Association? "It's a stress relief, because you can go out and shoot at people and not dangerously hit them," Vasaris said. "But it's also being with a group of guys that you like to hang around with."

The most commonly played paintball game is "capture the flag." There are rules variations, but the object is for a team to capture the opposing team's flag while protecting its own. Players eliminate opponents by shooting them with their paintball guns.
The games can be played outside in an open field or forest, or inside at a specially designed facility with inflatable bunkers and other obstacles. "It's not the hide-and-seek game everyone thinks," Vasaris said. "It's really action-packed and fast-paced." Players use carbon dioxide- or nitrogen-powered guns that fire thin, gelatin capsules filled with non-toxic paint - the "paintballs."

Vasaris, 22, who has been playing paintball since he was in high school, will be a senior at the University of Cincinnati this year and is the president of the school's paintball team. He said getting shot isn't as bad as it seems. "After the first time, I didn't even think about getting hit," Vasaris said. "There is such an adrenaline rush that you don't even feel it."

For those who want to experience that rush, there are plenty of paintball facilities around Cincinnati. A good place to start for beginners is the Hueston Woods Paintball Club at Hueston Woods State Park.

Tom Arvan, who has been the paintball club's general manager for 12 years, likes to promote the game to new players. "My personal enjoyment is seeing the kids play and seeing first-time players come off the field with a grin on their face," Arvan said.
Hueston Woods is open every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and offers two fields, including one that is wooded with some constructed obstacles. The cost to play is $27, which includes a gun, a carbon dioxide tank, 200 paintballs and protective gear. Players who have their own equipment pay $12. The fields are open Monday through Friday by reservation for groups of 15 or more. Arvan said Hueston Woods has catered to birthday parties, bachelor parties, fraternity and sorority parties and corporate outings. "We have had high praises from corporate groups for team-building," Arvan said. "It's a game that really fosters some friendship and sportsmanship."

Arvan said his paintball field is open to players of all skill levels. "Paintball is a sport that isn't dominated by youth and physical size," Arvan said. "We've had mom, dad, grandma and grandpa out here."

For more information on the sport of paintball please go to www.alphasportsinc.com

Alpha Sports Inc provides readers with information on Paintball News. We work hard to keep you up to date on the latest paintball news, events, and paintball gear. Please visit us at www.alphasportsinc.comAlpha Sports Inc provides readers with information on Paintball News. We work hard to keep you up to date on the latest paintball news, events, and paintball gear. Please visit us at www.alphasportsinc.com

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Coach Tom Craft got fired! by: alfred Johnson

The NCAA Football former quarterback for the Aztecs in the mid-1970s Tom Craft was fired Monday after failing to post a winning record in four seasons.

The NCAA Football athletic director Jeff Schemmel promised to hire a replacement, "Give Tom a lot of credit. I think the program's better than it was before," Schemmel said.

Schemmel hopes to hire a replacement by Christmas, promised to hire a replacement "who can excite the community."

Possible candidates: The former Washington and Colorado NCAA Football coach

Rick Neuheisel, Bobby Hauck, coach at Division I-AA Montana its another option.

Schemmel saids San Diego State can become a top 10 program.


This article is free for republishing Alfred Johnson provides all sports fans with the most recent a up to date news information in the sports world. Mr. Johnson has been an exceptional article writer for www.bookemdirect.com



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Cleveland Indians: 2005 Title Contenders or Pretenders? by: Proloy Bhattacharyya

By Proloy Bhattacharyya

NFLSystems.com

proloy@nflsystems.com

September 10, 2005

I lived in Cleveland for two summers not too long ago. My second year there was when they had their fire sale. Jim Thome was one of the last to go. Their argument to him was that it would take a long time before they start to contend again so that it was best to part ways.

Well, the Indians are contending in a hurry and are atop the Wild Card by 1.5 games. There is no question in my mind that these Indians are title contenders. With the questionable starting pitching of the Boston Red Sox, inconsistent hitting of the Angels and White Sox, the Indians prove to be the only team with a great balance of hitting and pitching.

What's better news is that these Indians are lethal on the road. Their road record of 45-29 is the third best in baseball. The Indians can play small ball and they can also play long ball which makes them great in any ballpark on the road. They can run the bases and move people over in pitching friendly ballparks. They can also hit home runs in hitting friendly ballparks.

Their pitching staff is headed by lefty C.C. Sabathia and is supported by one of the best bullpens in baseball. There is no doubt these Indians are playing the best baseball. The Indians are on a 70% run spanning more than 40 games and are hitting both lefties and righties extremely well.

The one glitch to the Indians season is that they are a combined 8-18 against AL playoff teams Red Sox, Angels, White Sox. If they are going to advance to the World Series, these are the teams they are going to have to beat.

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Morris’ Suspension Reduced to 14 Games by: Julie Smith

By Julie Smith

Kentucky University Randolph Morris' suspension was reduced to 14 games this Thursday after he tried to enter the NBA draft.

According to the NCAA some of the new information that helped to soften Morris' punishment was the fact that he clearly intended to retain his collegiate eligibility while he was declaring for the draft.

Morris declared he had made some bad decisions, like accepting bad advice and putting distance between him and his coaches and teammates.

The NCAA Basketball player won't be able to play on Kentucky's nonconference schedule until the Southeastern Conference opener on January 10th 2006 against Vanderbilt.

The basketball team have been struggling with their inside game without Morris, who started 33 of 34 games last season with an average of 8.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.

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Julie Smith is one of the most recognized copy writers on Sports and currently writes for www.instantactionsports.com
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Home Field Advantage in the MLB (Part 2): Tale of Two Halves by: Proloy Bhattacharyya

By Proloy Bhattacharyya

NFLSystems.com

proloy@nflsystems.com

September 10, 2005


Home teams perform completely differently during the first half of the baseball season and the last half. I analyze baseball games differently based on which half of the season it is and I will demonstrate one such disparity.

Baseball is a long drawn out season with so many games that the best effort from teams generally do not surface until the latter half of the season. As a result, the home field advantage is stronger during the first half of the season.

Over the past 6 seasons, baseball's home teams have won 54.6% of their games during the first 81 games of the season ( including 55.8% this season ). During the second half of the season, baseball's home teams have only won an average of 53.0% of their games. Although a 1.6% difference may not seem major, it still represents a 3.2% drop to a home team's advantage. Also, first half home records have not been below 53% in any of the past 6 seasons.

If we only take into account division rivals, the home field advantage drops by exactly 4% from the first half of the season to the second.

This indicates that one ought to first try to find profitable road teams during the second half of the season. So far this season, road teams in the second half of the season are 179-153, +54.3 units. Last season they were 319-353, +16 units. Decreasing the sample size to a smaller number of games can really yield huge profits for any bettor.

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Two great NFL systems by: James Campbell

FOOTBALL FORECASTOR


Hello my friend...

It is never a good idea to place a wager based strictly on a system or on a trend or because of an injury or just because of a weather concern, the reason why of course is because you can bet your bottom dollar that the odds maker also knows of these factors as well and has already made the adjustments.

Why would the odds maker make adjustments you ask? Simply put my friend, the reason why is because the odds maker already knows what today's "Joe Public" bettor will do and that is to pounce on the system or trend play or in the case of bad weather jump on the "UNDER" and when hearing about an injury jump on the opposing team like there is no tomorrow.

Personally, when hearing of a team suffering an injury to virtually any player with the exception of the QB, I have found it very profitable to play the ole "wait and see" game, meaning that later in the week once Joe Public has influenced the line that value will probably be found on the side of the team with the injury!

Below you will find a couple of NFL system plays dated since 1990 that have been quite profitable because of the fact that they are very uncommon in frequency and secondly because they combine solid handicapping theory, meaning that there is rhyme and reason as to why they occur!

1) Play against teams playing their 3rd consecutive road game if they lost the 1st game and won the 2nd game. 15-4-1 ATS 79%

What makes this system so useful is the fact that it is based on straight up wins and losses in a teams previous two games which allows a handicapper to see a prevailing pattern, in this pattern the team in question falls into two different handicapping situations that cannot be overlooked as the team in question will not only be in "Road Weary" mode, but they will also be in a prime spot for a "Letdown".

2) Play against a team playing their 3rd consecutive home game if they are a dog of more than 3 points and they lost their 2 previous games in straight up fashion. 10-4 ATS 72%

Like the above system, is a very uncommon but very effective situation indeed when considering that six different teams played three straight home games during the 2003 season but none ended up classifying for the system.

The last time this system came into play happened at the end of the 2001 season when the Panthers of Carolina played host to the Patriots after coming off consecutive home losses to St. Louis and Arizona.

Those of us that were fortunate enough to have wagered on New England in that contest were rewarded with a 38-6 Patriot win and cover!

take care and good luck this season!

Jim

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Over the past 30 yrs plus, I have been on both sides of the Sports Investment Business, as a entrepreneur that ran his own business, to building and maintaining a Private Clientele base that Greatly Benefits from my Superior Handicapping expertise in the sporting arena.

Football Forecastor has been an internet based sports handicapping service since 1997, we specialize in NFL and College football handicapping and over the past eight years have maintained one of the very best winning percentages of any sports handicapping service.

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What Do Gladiators and the Weekend Warrior Have In Common? by: Louise Roach

Strip off the tie and grab your running shoes, golf clubs or baseball
mitt! The weekend has arrived. You look forward to extra time on
Saturday and Sunday to enjoy your favorite sport. And you probably
cram in as much activity as possible before Monday morning rolls
around. You're a weekend warrior!

If you find yourself nursing a painful knee or strained muscle at the
office, you are in the company of gladiators.

Favored gladiators were considered the sports heroes of their day.
If a gladiator survived serious injury, they were attended to by
sports physicians for common problems such as sprains, torn ligaments
and muscle strains. The first doctor to gain notoriety for treating
gladiators was Galen, acclaimed as the father of sports medicine.
Living from 129 to 199 BC, Galen traveled throughout Rome bandaging- up gladiators. Although Galen used a form of traction to set bones
and was considered way ahead of his time, he was not aware of the
simple principle of R.I.C.E. (rest-ice-compression-elevation) to
treat sports-related injuries.

Today, it's easy for weekend warriors to take care of minor sprains
and strains using the recommended technique of R.I.C.E. According to
the Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, "more than 10 million
sports injuries are treated each year in the USA. Athletes and non- athletes share many similar injuries…Immediate treatment for almost
all acute athletic injuries is R.I.C.E."

Here is the four-part method for using R.I.C.E.:

Rest: Stop the activity causing pain and allow the injured area to
rest for 2 to 3 days.

Ice: To decrease swelling and numb pain, apply ice in the form of ice
packs or ice massage as soon as possible. Treat for a period of 48 to
72 hours after an injury happens. Ice applications should last for 10
to 30 minutes until the point of numbness. Longer icing periods
should be avoided as this could result in tissue damage. Allow the
skin to return to normal temperature before reapplying an ice pack.

Compression: To decrease swelling and bruising, compression should be
applied immediately using a compression or elastic wrap, or athletic
tape. Do not apply compression to the point of cutting off
circulation (a feeling of numbness or tingling). Compression can also
be used at the same time an ice pack is being applied.

Elevation: Raise the injured area to above heart level to minimize
internal bleeding and swelling.

Unlike yesterday's gladiators, today's weekend warriors who survive
the trials of running too hard, pitching a no-hitter or shooting too
many hoops, are better prepared. With a reusable ice pack in hand
and knowledge of R.I.C.E., every warrior can triumph over pain.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended as a substitute for
professional medical treatment or consultation. Always consult with
your physician in the event of a serious injury.

About the Author: Louise Roach is a health and fitness editor,
marketing specialist, and product development consultant. She helps
others find pain relief through the use of SnowPack reusable,
chemical-free ice packs, the SnowPack SportCover and SnowPack Body-n- Ice Kits. Learn more about the benefits of ice therapy at
http://www.snowpackusa.com/
Sign up for free health and fitness newsletter at:
http://home.netcom.com/~newsflash/

This article is free for republishing Louise Roach is a health and fitness editor,
marketing specialist, and product development consultant. She helps
others find pain relief through the use of SnowPack reusable,
chemical-free ice packs, the SnowPack SportCover and SnowPack Body-n- Ice Kits. Learn more about the benefits of ice therapy at
http://www.snowpackusa.com/
Sign up for free health and fitness newsletter at:
http://home.netcom.com/~newsflash/



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Home Field Advantage in the MLB (Part 1) by: Proloy Bhattacharyya

By Proloy Bhattacharyya
NFLSystems.com
proloy@nflsystems.com
September 10, 2005

Of all the major sports, baseball is known for not having a great home field advantage. During the regular season, astute bettors will prey upon bookies by betting on teams that are in situations where the home field advantage is extreme.

Home teams win on average 53.6% of the time. This translates to a 7.2% advantage over road teams which is a smaller disparity compared to Basketball and Football.

Home teams in Football and Basketball feed off of their home town fans and are motivated. With baseball, it is most appropriate to try to find situations in which baseball teams will be more motivated.

Consider the Red Sox are 51-15 + 29 units the past 3 seasons at home off a home loss. Over the same span and angle, the Rangers are 47-33 +17 units and the Braves are 52-20 +20 units. These are 3 such teams that have a strong home field advantage given this situation. Because baseball is such an unpopular sport with bettors and this angle does not apply to all teams, the oddsmakers have not had to adjust on a situation as this.

Those 3 teams alone combined for 150-68, +66 units. This means that to even it out, the spread would have to be adjusted 30 points. So instead of being -130, the team would have to be -160. Instead of being +145, they would have to be +115. This is considerable in the eyes of most bettors. The normal home field advantage is already taken into account in the spread but it is the handicapper's job to find profitable situations in which the home field advantage is higher and capitalize on it.

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Home Field Advantage in the MLB: Interleague Games (Part 4) by: Proloy Bhattacharyya

By Proloy Bhattacharyya

NFLSystems.com

proloy@nflsystems.com

September 12, 2005

Our analysis has consistently shown us that home teams perform better against non-divisional rivals but we have always lumped Interleague teams into this category. There is reason to believe that Interleague home teams have a larger advantage.

It makes sense for home teams to perform better in Interleague play for a variety of reasons. AL teams have an advantage at home and a disadvantage on the road because of the DH. When allowed to use the DH, AL teams are able to use a vastly superior #9 hitter than the NL teams are used to. If AL teams are not allowed to use the DH, this will often cause the AL team to either drop their DH, who is generally one of their best hitters or move him into a position for the Interleague games. Since the DH is not used to playing the position, he becomes susceptible to committing errors.

There is also an issue with familiarity. Road teams in Interleague games are often not familiar with the stadium they are playing in and as a result cannot use it to their advantage. The classic example would be at Fenway Park where banging balls up against the Green Monster leads to a lot of doubles. The Padres had a losing home record last season and much of their complaints had to do with the fact that their hitters were not familiar enough with the stadium to take advantage.

Familiarity can also be extended to pitcher / hitter scouting reports. With both teams lacking the extensive scouting reports they normally would have in normal games, the home field advantage will likely weigh more.

Our analysis shows us that home teams during Interleague play have won 56.2% of the time versus 53.2% during non-Interleague play. A 3.0% difference is significant here, especially in a sport where home field advantage is perceived not to exist.

Home Favorites in Interleague play over the past 3 seasons have gone 331-191 (63.4%) +53 units. If our team is motivated off a loss to the very same team it is facing, our team's win percentage jumps up to 65.1% and the spread is off by about 15 points on average.

As you can see, since Interleague games represent such a small minority of the total number of games played, the home field advantage in such games is not readily known.

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Sunglasses 101 by: Nathan Sauer

Sunglasses are not as simple as many people think. As such, it's important that you get "briefed" before you buy.

The different parts to sunglasses will have a great impact on the look and feel of the pair. Different parts can also affect UV protection, glare resistance, and what sports the sunglasses would best be used for. With this in mind, it is important to consider each of the different options available for sunglasses.

Different sunglass lenses, tints, and coatings will be beneficial depending on the intended use. Lens materials also serve different purposes. The best lenses to use are glass lenses, because they are of the highest quality and most scratch resistant. Unfortunately, the glass lenses are also the most expensive. Acrylic plastic lenses are the least expensive and weigh less. As a result, they are not of the highest quality and therefore scratch extremely easily. For casual ware, less expensive glasses may be preferred. For sports, higher-quality lenses should probably be considered.

Sunglass tints also serve different purposes. The common tints are amber and orange, brown, gray, green, rose, vermilion, and yellow. Amber and orange tints reduce blue light, which is a chief component of glare. This tint is ideal for high glare sports like fishing, boating, skiing, and flying. Brown tints are good for variable light conditions. The dark tint reduces eyestrain, making it an ideal tint for driving, cycling, and running. Gray and green tints are good tints for many purposes. Rose, vermillion, and yellow are all solid daytime tints. Certain tints work best for certain needs, but the best way to find out is to try different tints. If the tint fits your needs, than it is a good option. There are also several different coatings for lenses. Some coatings are anti-reflective, while others have mirrors.

The frame of the glasses is very important. There are several materials for frames. Plastic frames are the cheapest and therefore not of as high quality. Plastic frames also crack easily. Nylon and metal frames are both good choices. However, nylon is flexible and stronger than metal. The hinge can also have metal and nylon. Again, in this instance, nylon is stronger and therefore probably the better choice.

Whichever pair you choose, I'd like to leave you with a bit of advice: remember you're your lenses should be cleaned often. For cleaning sunglass lenses, mild soap and warm water should be used. Cleaning lenses removes dirt and oil and helps avoid buildup of debris, which can cloud vision or scratch lenses. After washing lenses, one should dry them with a lens cloth or non-abrasive cotton in order to prevent scratching. You can also buff the lens by holding the frame firmly and moving in a gentle, circular motion.

Nathan Sauer enjoys outdoor sports and prefers to wear custom Oakley sunglasses.

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Satellite Radio: XM Radio or Sirius? by: Ron King

Satellite radio is the hottest trend in radio entertainment for your car, home, and office. The freedom from commercials and static is an exhilarating experience. No longer do you have listen to obnoxious jingles and hot air. No longer are you condemned to choose between dead air and Country & Western when traveling in rural areas.

Commercial-Free, Digital-Quality Sound

All of these problems are solved with satellite radio. And there is nothing else in the radio world that can compete with its digital quality sound. Satellite can provide uninterrupted listening pleasure anywhere in the world.

The only problem is deciding upon which satellite radio provider to choose. The top 2 contenders are Sirius and XM Radio. If you want satellite radio, you are immediately faced with the issue of how to choose between them.

XM Radio, First In The Sky

XM Radio established its presence first, and has a market share of 2 million listeners. XM has had the time to establish an excellent system of 68 commercial-free music channels with an incredible array of music. It also adds 33 channels of news, sports, talk shows, and entertainment to its programming mix. To top it off, XM has revolutionized the satellite radio world by providing 21 channels of up-to-date weather and traffic for most of the major metropolitan areas in the United States.

Sirius, Radio Innovator On Satellite TV

Sirius may be the comparative upstart, but it offers some advantages of its own. New contacts with DISH Network satellite television have given Sirius access to more than 10 million subscribers. It provides more than 120 channels if you add up all of the music, sports, information and entertainment.

For sports, Sirius is hard to beat. It broadcasts live games for professional football and hockey leagues, as well as many other sporting events. Sirius will also be the home of Howard Stern in 2006.

New Technology, New Listening Experience

So, whether you choose XM Radio for experience and staying power, or cast your vote for the innovations of Sirius, there's no reason to wait. Satellite radio is to broadcast radio as the VCR was to television. You can have it all -- without commercials! So what are you waiting for -- pick one.



About the author:
Visit http://www.sat-radio-now.comto learn more. Copyright 2005 Ron King. Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact.

Wrapping Up Week 13 Who To Keep And Who To Let Go by: Cathy Jones

As we are beginning week 14, let's go over some teams that I think might not make the 2006 playoffs and should be thinking of getting rid of the elements that got them the bottom spots before the 2006 NFL Draft.
Miami Dolphins: Ricky Williams is not helping, looks like his career is over, this sends a clear message to management of who to be letting go.
Baltimore Ravens: The team is a disaster. Quarterback Kyle Boller, should be the first one to be fired.
Houston Texans: This is the worst franchise in the NFL and they have to draft someone like Reggie Bush and rebuild their offensive line.
On the positive end the Indianapolis Colts will be 12-0. Are they becoming the first NFL team to finish a regular season 16-0? That's another matter overall. I can't seem to think of many reasons why that can't happen. I do believe that Indianapolis is the best team on the NFL. If forced to wager my estate house and plantation on who will take the trophy home I would not hesitate to say the Colts.


This article is free for republishing Cathy Jones writes on sports betting and gambling one of the fastest growing online industries and she is one of the top senior article writers for www.envivosports.com

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Gift Ideas for Canoeing Enthusiasts by: Richard Chapo

Finding good Christmas gifts ideas is easy if you think about a person's hobbies. If you are buying for person who enjoys canoeing, here are a few ideas for canoeing gifts.

Canoeing Gifts

Canoeing is a sport that appears to require relatively small amounts of equipment. In truth, it is much more than a paddle and a canoe, which provides you with a lot of potential gift ideas.

1. Yokes – This yoke has nothing to do with eggs. A yoke is a device that hooks onto a canoe to make it easy to lug it around. Typically made of wood, the yoke sites perpendicular to the length of the canoe and is padded. Easily connected to the canoe, the boat is typically flipped over to be carried by putting the padded yoke on your shoulders. A godsend for getting to and from the water as well as bypassing low water areas on rivers. A yoke will set you back in the $20 to $60 range. The Voyageur brand is a good place to start.

2. Handmade Wood Canvas Canoe – If you're looking for a big ticket item, why not consider giving a handmade wood canvas canoe as a gift? Unlike modern canoes, these wood canvas canoes are made with painstaking care and incredible craftsmanship. With beautiful lines and an air of grace, this is the ultimate canoe for traditionalists. Since each one is handmade, you can expect to pay a pretty premium of $2,000 or more. If this sounds like the perfect gift, take a look at Spencer Canoe Company in Canada.

3. Back Supports – Sitting in a canoe for a few hours is not easy on the lower back. Back support are curved devices that create or support existing seating in the canoe. Back supports are a must for weekend warriors who only canoe once every month or so. It is hard to enjoy canoeing if your back is killing you! Look for the Crazy Creek brand and expect to pay between $20 and $30.

4. Nomad Paddle Sports Journals – A bit of self-promotion here. Nomad Paddle Sports Journals are waterproof writing journals that let canoers keep notes during and after their trips. Really great for writing down impressions, routes taken, things seen, people met, alternative routes to be tried in the future and so on. You can click the link at the bottom of this article to see the paddle sports journals which cost $8.99.

If you're buying gifts for a canoeing enthusiast, the above list is a good place to start.

Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com - makers of writing journals. Paddle sports journals are great canoeing gifts and Christmas gifts for him or her. Visit NomadJournalTrips.com to read outdoor adventure articles and stories.


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Basketball: Becoming More and More Popular Worldwide by: Dylan Miles

On any given day, all around the world, people are playing basketball. Today, basketball rates as one of the all-time most popular sports worldwide. Basketball tournaments are played out between players of all age groups from little five and six year olds to adults of all ages and levels. Sports networks around the world, on any given day, will report on professional basketball tournaments around the world and broadcast local and international games.

Basketball continues to grow in popularity, because it is a relatively cheap game to get into, can be played indoors and outdoors, in summer and winter, by girls or boys, men and women, anywhere in the world.

When one thinks of basketball one normally associates it with the United States and the legendary Harlem Globetrotters. Americans have been playing basketball professionally since 1896, but today, there are up to 300 million people playing basketball all around the entire globe. In fact, these days, American basketball teams even recruit foreign players into their teams.

According to Wikipedia.com, basketball didn't evolve from older more primitive versions of the game, but was invented by a man called Dr. James Naismith, in 1891, so that his college students could keep fit in the winter. In fact, that's how college basketball began! The game was initially played with a soccer ball. Then a brown ball was designed. The characteristic orange ball that we know today was designed in the late 1950s.

From American college basketball to professional league, basketball first evolved into an international sport in 1932 and became an Olympic sport in 1936. Since then, its popularity worldwide has grown exponentially.


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The Best of the Warriors in 11 Years by: Cathy Jones

There is a new feeling in Oakland, a fanatical town crazy for NBA.
The Warriors have been on a winning streak since last February, when they finished last season with 18 wins in 28 games. If they keep up the strong play behind their 12-6 start to this season, Baron Davis and his new teammates just might us something to celebrate in April.
Even after dropping three of their last four games, the Warriors began a five-game road trip this weekend with their best 22-game start since 1991. They briefly reached first place in the Pacific Division for the first time since 1992.
The Warriors haven't been a team worth watching this last few years but Coach Mike Montgomery has turned the declining Warriors into a team that you want to see in action. The team has produced a lot of great moments in every game with no-look passes and impossibly tough lay-ups, while two-time dunk contest champion Richardson is polishing his skills.
Sometimes it doesn't work: Though the Warriors set season highs with 15 3-pointers on 37 attempts in Wednesday's game against Houston, they lost in overtime when they couldn't protect an 11-point lead in the final 4 minutes of regulation.
Clearly, this transformation won't happen overnight -- but in Oakland, patience is part of the game.


This article is free for republishing Cathy Jones writes on sports betting and gambling one of the fastest growing online industries and she is one of the top senior article writers for www.envivosports.com

Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety on your site, make sure to leave all links in place and do not modify any of the content.

Don't Let High Ticket Prices Keep You From Seeing The "Big" Game by: Jeff Howard

Don't Let High Ticket Prices Keep You From Seeing The "Big" Games
By Jeff Howard

Have you ever dreamed about seeing a big sports event like the
Super Bowl, NCAA Final Four, or Daytona 500 in person? If so,
what kept you from realizing your dream?

Before you answer that one, let me demonstrate how the typical
fan tries to buy tickets. I'll use the Indianapolis 500 as an
example. As I write this the "Greatest Spectacle In Racing" is
a few weeks away.

Since many fans don't start thinking about tickets until weeks,
or months, before the event, it's very possible some are
just now deciding they want to see this race.

Even at this late date, there are still a few tickets available
directly from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but rest assured
the choice seats are long gone.

There's good news, however.

A quick Internet search shows there are are plenty of good seats
available. At one popular ticket broker site, they range in price
from $65 to $645 each depending on track location. According to
the official Indianapolis 500 website, these same tickets have a
face value of $40 to $90 each. So, if you buy your tickets from
a broker, you'll end up paying 2, 3, or 4 times face value.

Not so good news.

Before I get back to my original question, let me say this. If
you're independently wealthy, go ahead and buy your tickets from
a broker since money isn't an issue. However, if you're like the
rest of us, it was probably the high cost of tickets that kept
you from seeing a game or event in person.

So how do you avoid overpaying for tickets? Well it's really
quite simple. Plan in advance. See, I said it was simple.

Since every major sports event occurs at approximately the same
time each year, there's no reason why you shouldn't be planning
for next year right now. Let's get back to our typical race fan.
Once he discovers how much Indy 500 tickets will set him back,
he'll decide that's too much and forget about the race. A year
rolls by, and the approaching race starts making news. By this
time maybe he's forgotten about the ticket prices, or maybe he
thinks this year he'll find bargain tickets somewhere.

Nope.

This year the prices are even higher, so he gives up yet again
all the while thinking to himself that "one of these days" he's
actually going to plunk down the money for tickets. Good luck.
Sadly, while savvy fans will be experiencing the sights, sounds,
and smells of the race in person, he'll be watching from home on
the small screen.

Now if he would have just planned in advance for his race-day
experience, the outcome could be very different. Many of those
same tickets selling for well above face value in the weeks
leading up to the race could have been had for face value a year
earlier.

The window of opportunity for many sports tickets opens shortly
after the preceding year's event has ended. This is even the case
for some of the biggies like the Super Bowl or the NCAA Men's
Basketball Tournament.

The tickets are out there. You just have to know when and where
to look. Here are some suggestions.

1) Check the official website of the sponsoring organization.
Many times this will have all the information you need,
including ticket procedures, deadlines, and special
requirements. Do this as soon as possible after the event has
taken place and keep checking periodically until updated
information has been posted.

2) If you're more impatient, call the organization directly. You
can usually find a phone number on the website, but if it's not
there call 800 directory assistance. Ask how you can purchase
tickets to next year's game, or at least get your name on a
waiting list so you'll be notified when tickets are available.
Make sure you know all the pertinent dates, addresses and prices
so you'll be ready when they go on sale.

3) Check the official website of the host venue. Often the arena
or stadium handles ticket sales, as is the case for the first/
second and regional rounds of the NCAA Basketball Tournament. In
this case, the early bird definitely gets the worm. Again, a
polite phone call may provide additional information or get your
name on the proper list.

4) Consider joining a team's fan club or booster club. Many
times these memberships come with special advance notice of
tickets sales or access to in-demand tickets. For example Boston
Red Sox fans should join the Red Sox Nation to get ticket
preferences for some of the hottest seats in Fenway Park.
Membership will only set you back $9.95, a small price if you
score some premium tickets.

5) Finally, search the Internet for information about the
specific event or venue. You may find a little-known piece of
information that allows you to apply for highly-coveted tickets.
Be creative and try different word combinations as your search
terms. Read everything you can find about the upcoming game or
previous games. It's all about your willingness to put in a
little "leg work" that may pay off in face-value Super Bowl or
Final Four tickets.

In fact I just applied for 2006 Final Four tickets last week, but
I'm sure many hoops fans didn't even know that was possible.

So, regardless of the event or game, if you want to see it in
person without taking out a second mortgage for tickets, try a
little advance planning. With persistence and patience, you may
just be watching it next year from the front row.

Copyright 2005 All Rights Reserved

*********************************************
Jeff Howard publishes SportsTicketSecrets Tip Sheet, a monthly
ezine providing tips, information, and advice for sports fans
who are tired of watching the "BIG" games on TV. To sign up and
receive a preview of his latest publication "Super Bowl Ticket
Secrets" visit http://www.superbowlticketsecrets.com
*********************************************

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Jeff Howard publishes SportsTicketSecrets Tip Sheet, a monthly
ezine providing tips, information, and advice for sports fans
who are tired of watching the "BIG" games on TV. To sign up and
receive a preview of his latest publication "Super Bowl Ticket
Secrets" visit http://www.superbowlticketsecrets.com




Contact him at http://www.superbowlticketsecrets.com

Kayaking Gifts for Christmas by: Richard Chapo

Finding good Christmas gifts ideas is easy if you think about a persons hobbies. If you are buying for person who enjoys kayaking, here are a few ideas for kayaking gifts.

Kayaking Gifts

Kayaking is a sport that appears to require relatively small amounts of equipment. In truth, it is much more than a paddle and a kayak, which provides you with a lot of potential gift ideas.

1. Drip Rings – Drip rings are placed on each end of a paddle and keep water from running back up the paddle to your hands. While this may sound odd given that you're sitting in water, it is incredibly annoying to have water running over your hands all of the times. Drip rings stop this, which makes them very useful. They are also incredibly cheap, costing no more than a few bucks. Aqua-Bound is as good a brand as any.

2. Alaska Sea Kayaking Adventures – If you're looking for a big ticket item, why not give an Alaska Sea Kayaking trip as a gift? A number of companies in Alaska provide sea kayaking tours in Prince William Sound and other locations. There is nothing more impressive than paddling up to one of the glaciers overhanging the sea. The pure beauty will leave you astonished. The cost of trips varies, but most of the expense is getting to Alaska. Do an Internet search for "alaska kayaking" and you'll find the providers.

3. Back Bands – Sitting in a kayak for a few hours is not easy on the lower back. Back bands are devices that fit into the seat area and provide lower back support similar to those you find for car seats. Back bands are a must for long crossings. A back band of good quality will set you back between $30 and $40. SealLine and Ocean Kayak are good brands.

4. Underdeck Bags – Underdeck bags act like a little glove compartment for kayaks. Watertight, they attach to the roof of the interior space on kayaks and act like a glove compartment in a car. Makes storing valuable such as car keys, maps and journals a breeze. North Water makes excellent underdeck bags and you can expect to pay roughly $40 for one.

5. Nomad Paddle Sports Journals – A bit of self-promotion here. Nomad Paddle Sports Journals are waterproof writing journals that let kayakers keep notes during and after their trips. Really great for writing down impressions, routes taken, things seen, people met, alternative routes to be tried in the future and so on. You can click the link at the bottom of this article to see the paddle sports journals which cost $8.99.

Whether shooting the rapids of a river or cruising scenic bays, kayaking is a great sport. If you're buying gifts for a kayaking enthusiast, the above list is a good place to start.

Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com - makers of writing journals. Paddle sports journals are great kayaking gifts and Christmas gifts for him or her. Visit NomadJournalTrips.comto read outdoor adventure articles and stories.


This article is free for republishing Rick Chapo is with Nomad Travel Journals - makers of writing journals and BusinessTaxRecovery.com - recoverying overpaid business taxes for small businesses.

Oakland NJ - A Great Town For Kids by: Aron Wallad

Oakland NJ - A Great Town for Kids


My children, my wife and I have been fortunate to have lived in the town of Oakland NJ, for the past 18 years. The commitment to kids sports programs, especially girls softball, I think would be hard to surpass by any other town this size. ( 14,000 - 15,000).


I have seen many girls flourish in the Softball program, playing on traveling teams, and at the varsity level at our High School. Part of the success the girls have is due to the efforts of a handful of men and women who are the commissioners, coaches and administrators of these programs I would hate to think what my daughter's life would be like if she was not playing softball. She loves that softball.

In the spirit of keeping the game going; I have seen them organize teams, balance schedules, and choose coaches. I have watched them scramble to find an umpire so the game could be played. I have seen them on the golf cart riding around - trying to locate the key that opens the shed, so the lights could be turned on for a night game. They are always around to make sure that things worked. I wonder how they are able to calm parents, satisfy their critics, and keep a cool head in so many volatile situations. I guess the answer is they love the game more than it's headaches.


My thanks to the tireless people that run the sports programs in the town of Oakland.

Neil Malmud, from Oakland NJ, was an inspiration in the writing of this story. For his efforts as an administrator, commissioner and especially as a coach, I am extremely grateful..


This article is free for republishing

Scotland - The New White Water Rafting Capital of Europe by: Blair Thorne

Scotland has taken its place as the new Mecca for white water rafting and extreme sports enthusiasts. With over 120 activity centres around the country you can do it all here - from jumping off cliffs, sliding through canyons and rolling down hills in plastic balls, to more traditional activities such as white water rafting, quad biking and clay pigeon shooting.

The rugged landscape is perfect for hair-raising outdoor pursuits. As Mark Turner of specialist outdoor sports website www.adrenalinepass.com says, "We are especially looking forward to the white water rafting season on the River Tummel. This is undoubtedly the best white water rafting available in the country over the summer."

The Tummel is dam-release, guaranteeing water levels every weekend from June to September. It is a narrow, technical and exciting river, offering almost continuous rapids to Grade IV, culminating in the descent of a double-drop waterfall!

"An alternative waterfall descent", Mark continues, "is on one of our canyoning trips. This time there's no boat involved, instead participants are lowered down on a rope in a controlled abseil." Canyoning descents also involve scrambling, jumps into plunge pools, natural water flumes and slides.

A wide range of clients enjoy adventures with www.adrenalinepass.com. Individuals and families on day visits or holidays, through to a range of groups, from stag and hen parties to corporate outings. Their philosophy of professional delivery, from experienced but also highly enthusiastic instructors, has produced a winning formula.

So, if you're looking to do something a little bit different this summer and fancy some excitement in your life, go to www.adrenalinepass.com and choose your ideal adventure.

Blair Thorne is the creater of adrenalinePASS.com White Water Rafting UK and owner of Emerge Studio - Web Design UK | Web Design Scotland | Web Design Glasgow a web and graphic design consultancy based in Glasgow.

Ticket Scalping: A Victimless Crime? by: Jeff Howard

Ticket Scalping: A Victimless Crime?
By Jeff Howard

I admit it. Many, many years ago I purchased a ticket from
a ticket scalper outside Texas Stadium. If memory serves
correct, I paid $70 for a ticket with a face value around
$15. Like I said it was many, many years ago, and I was
young and naive.

At the time I felt relieved to have a ticket. The game was
a sell out, but as soon as I found my seat, I felt cheated.
Let's just say it was a very bad seat. One of the worst in
the house to be sure, but still good enough for me to see
the visiting Chicago Bears destroy Dallas 44-0!

My bad experience aside, many fans see scalpers as their
only option for getting into sold out events. At worst
they see ticket scalping as a low-level, victimless crime.

I would suggest, however, that the fact prove otherwise.

Investigative reports around the country have uncovered
highly organized groups of professional ticket scalpers who
control street-level ticket sales in many major league
sports cities. Often these men have ties to organized
crime and lengthy criminal records. As seasoned criminals
they are quick to threaten a customer or turn violent when
a transaction doesn't go their way.

Certainly not all the scalpers seen hawking tickets
outside your local stadium fall into this category, but
the threat is widespread and very real.

Using various techniques, these groups acquire tickets
from season ticket holders, ticket agencies, and even the
team's box office. In some cases they work closely with
team employees to ensure a constant supply of tickets.
They also aggressively solicit fans seeking to buy spare
tickets at discounted prices.

Sadly this leaves the typical fan literally on the outside
looking in. Fans who can't get tickets through the more
traditional channels are forced to deal with these groups
if they want to see a game in person.

As always I recommend you avoid scalpers if at all
possible. I agree there may be certain situations when you
have no choice, but don't make it a habit. In my opinion
there are just too many risks, and besides you can get
tickets to just about any event without them as long as
you're prepared to put a little effort into it.

With that said, if you decide to approach one outside the
stadium, please remember who you're dealing with. This
person might be a convicted drug dealer, thief, or worse a
violent criminal. In addition, he might have ties to
organized crime. Above all use your common sense and
proceed with caution.

I'm sure the majority of fans who purchase tickets from a
scalper don't suffer from the level of 'buyer's remorse'
I felt inside Texas Stadium, and they certainly don't
experience anything close to assault and battery. However,
threats, intimidation and violence have become a part of
the ticket scalping business in many cities so please be
careful out there.

Copyright 2005 All Rights Reserved
************************************************
Jeff Howard publishes SportsTicketSecrets Tip Sheet, a
monthly ezine providing tips, news, information, and
advice for all sports fans who are tired of watching the
"BIG" games on TV. To subscribe and receive a preview of
his latest publication "Super Bowl Ticket Secrets" visit
http://www.superbowlticketsecrets.com
************************************************

*** Digital Reprint Rights ***
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please set all URL's or Mailto addresses in the body of
the article and in the Author's Resource Box as
hyperlinks (clickable links).

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having been inserted into the copy.

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opt-in email only. No unsolicited commercial email please.

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deleted.

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article appears to: Jeff@SportsTicketSecrets.com



Please leave the resource box intact with an active link,
and send a courtesy copy of the publication in which the
article appears to: Jeff@SportsTicketSecrets.com




Contact him at http://www.superbowlticketsecrets.com

Latest Extreme Sport, Kitesurfing by: Ispas Marin

Looked at many extreme sports but just can't find the right thrills? It's time to take a look at the ocean, you might just find some inspiration.

The latest craze in extreme sports is kitesurfing, it only started out in 1990 but there are tens of thousands of enthusiasts around the world. You can go to any ocean side on a Sunday and you'll see that kitesurfing has a strong following and has expanded quickly.

The kitesurfing board is a surfboard but shorter and the kitesurfer is attached to it with foot straps or bindings. You have the board attached to a kite, that looks more like a parachute, by a series of lines of various lengths. The board is propelled by the kite across the water at quite great speeds.

The challenge in kitesurfing is that your body is the only connection between the kite and the board and mastering the control of both the kite in the air and the board on the water is a key point.

If you're asking yourself how it's possible for a kite to stay in the air while holding the weight of the board and your weight at the same time the explanation is this: while flying, a kite is creating it's own wind and the wind it creates is faster than the wind powering it producing more power than the actual wind.

The Kitesurfing Gear
You might think that kitesurfing is not an expensive sport but that's not entirely true, the board and kite aren't the only equipment you need. Other equipment components are a kite pump(inflatable kite), bar, lines, board harness, life jacket and helmet. If you'll add the starting lessons you'll get a good amount that you'll have to spend.

Taking Kitesurfing Lessons
The theory behind kitesurfing is simple enough, the practice is another story. Because of that you need a little while to master. Kitesurfing enthusiasts should take lessons from an experienced kitesurfing instructor before practicing this sport, no matter how much experience you have with surfing or windsurfing.

For all the tips and tricks on kitesurfing visit our kitesurfing guide now. For great information on kitesurfing equipment visit our kite surfing equipment page.

This article is free for republishing

2005 NFC East Football preview by: James Campbell

OVERVIEW: NFC EAST

The Eagles once again appear to be the top team in the NFC for 2005, however, I wouldn't look for them to win 13 games this season due to the fact that each of the other teams in the NFC East should improve this year. A look at the Eagles schedule for 2005 reveals the fact that Philly will face the league's third easiest schedule when considering the Eagles 2005 opponents combined for a 118-146 straight up record last season.

One would expect that with the Eagles posting a straight up record of 54-20 over the past four seasons that they would eventually have a bad draft due to having to choose from the draft leftovers, however, that has not been the case as the Eagles once again had a pretty good draft which is a testament to just how good HC Andy Reid is with regard to being able to wheel and deal in the draft as well as his ability to pick talent.

The Eagles weren't all that active in the free agent market but were able to snag a quality backup QB in Mike McMahon from Detroit who became expendable when the Lions picked up QB Jeff Garcia. It should be no surprise that the Lions picked up Garcia when considering that Garcia was Detroit HC Steve Mariucci's QB when both were in San Francisco.

Cowboy HC Bill Parcells used free agency to bring in RB Anthony Thomas to backup Julius Jones and also snagged QB Drew Bledsoe to run his offense for 2005, however, Parcells main focus during the off season was to fix what ailed his defense which allowed 406 points in 2004. Parcells appears to have been successful with a quality draft head lined by picking up DE Demarcus Ware, DE Marcus Spears and LB Kevin Burnett with his top three selections in the draft.

Overall Parcells had an excellent draft and used six of his eight draft selections on defensive players which should serve to shore up a shaky pass rush which allowed opposing QB's time to toss 31 TD's last year. The Giants threw last season away by using QB Eli Manning under center earlier than they probably should have, however, the playing experience gained in 2004 should serve Manning well this season and especially since QB Kurt Warner is now in Arizona which means that Manning will not be looking over this shoulder.

The Giants only had four draft choices which was the fewest amount in franchise history, however, they were able to pick up CB Corey Webster out of LSU in the second round, Webster should have been a top 10 or top 15 pick but fell to the Giants with the overall 43rd pick in the draft due to injuries sustained in College, the G-Men used free agency to bring in QB Tim Hasselbeck to back up Manning and signed a go-to WR in former Steeler Plaxico Burress for Manning to play catch with.

By not addressing glaring needs on offense Washington appears set to bring up the rear in the NFC East for 2005, last year Skin HC Joe Gibbs brought in former Jag QB Mark Brunell to run his offense, however in the nine games Brunell started last year he only completed 49.79% of his passes and at seasons end finished with a QB rating of 63.90.

In contrast QB Patrick Ramsey started seven games in 2004 and completed 62.13% of his tosses which was good enough to post a QB rating of 74.8, the Skins used their second draft selection on QB Jason Campbell out of Auburn which was probably a bit of a reach as Campbell will need lots of work, however, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that Patrick Ramsey will be the starting QB for 2005.

Regardless of whether the Skins decide to go with either Mark Brunell or Patrick Ramsey at QB for 2005, Washington still needs to fix their offensive line play which was atrocious to say the least and was the main reason for the Skins averaging a meager 15 points scored per contest last year.

The Skin defense appeared set to be the bright spot for this team once again in 2005, however, the arrest of safety Sean Taylor on gun charges, the free agent loss of CB Fred Smoot and the off season ankle injury/stress fracture to top draft choice CB Carlos Rogers leaves that open to debate.

In closing the Eagles posted an overall mark of 15-4 straight up and 12-7 ATS last year, I fully expect to see the public back these Eagles in most outings in 2005, however, a check of last season shows that 3 of the Eagles 4 straight up losses occurred against AFC teams and 4 of the Eagles 7 spread losses came against the AFC.

A check of the past three seasons reveals the fact that Philly has only lost a total of 14 games in this time frame, however, 7 of those 14 losses came at the hands of AFC teams, and to think that in the past three years these Eagles only played AFC teams a total of 13 times!!

This of course leads me to believe that 2005 road games at Kansas City and at Denver might very well be prime spots to go against Philly and especially if the Eagles are installed as road favorites when considering that the Eagles have gone 4-9 ATS overall against AFC teams over the past three seasons, in road games (not counting the SB) against AFC teams during this same time span Philly posted a mark of 2-4 ATS.

I would be careful in picking my spots with regard to Dallas, New York, and Washington this season until after the fourth game of the year because of the QB situation at each location, with that being said keep an eye on the Cowboys who could very well end up being the surprise team in this division as well as in the NFC this year if QB Drew Bledsoe can remain healthy and the Dallas defense shapes up like I think they will.

Jim Campbell is one of the nations most respected Sports Handicappers, he specializes in College and Pro Football, you can visit Jim at his website located at footballforecastor.com for all of your handicapping needs including free play selections, College and NFL stats, trends and award winning analysis on upcoming games.

With over 30 plus years experience in the handicapping profession Jim has built a solid reputation, his web based handicapping service at footballforecastor.com as been in existence since 1997 and year after year proves to be one of the very best handicapping services in America.



Football Forecastor is home to the nations most prolific sports handicapper, we specialize in NFL and College Football handicapping and take sports betting to a whole new level by treating sports wagering as an investment.

Over the past 30 yrs plus, I have been on both sides of the Sports Investment Business, as a entrepreneur that ran his own business, to building and maintaining a Private Clientele base that Greatly Benefits from my Superior Handicapping expertise in the sporting arena.

Football Forecastor has been an internet based sports handicapping service since 1997, we specialize in NFL and College football handicapping and over the past eight years have maintained one of the very best winning percentages of any sports handicapping service.

If you are looking for a Proven winner that churns out Consistent NFL and College football winning selections visit us at footballforecastor.com today!!

Do you want the Top Ten Reasons to Select Directv? Here they are!

by:

Unlike cable television, Directv can offer over 225 channels! With that amount of channels to choose from, you will not have to feel limited at all. There are so many choices that you can choose from. Whether it is romance, soap operas, college or professional sports, comedies, action or thrillers, Directv has it all! You will not be lacking when it comes to variety and different choices. If there is one thing that Directv is, that would be bountiful!

You own it! Literally! You get to keep the equipment as your own when you get your whole Directv package. Cable television does not offer you the availability to keep the equipment, so that is one way to tell that Directv is a definite winner.

What could be the number three reason why to select Directv for your company? Maybe because you get 100 percent digital channels! This definitely ensures quality. How much better can it get when you can have both quality and quantity at the same time?!

Rolling in at the fourth reason as to why you should purchase Directv would be because it offers High Definition TV! That one says satisfaction in itself.

What could number five possibly be? You are available to get Multi-Channel viewing! Who wouldn't want to have the power of watching different channel's on different televisions at the same exact time?

Let's roll onto lucky number six as to why you should get Direct tv shall we? What is your chance of having an outage? Not very much, because the statistics show that there is only a 1 percent chance! When cable television has a 3-5 percent chance of an outage, which one would you rather pick? I don't know about you, but I would pick Directv.

Lucky number seven is here at your service! If you are a sports fan, which obviously sports is a huge deal here in the United States. You will absolutely adore Directv after you hear that you will get the availability to the NFL Sunday Ticket, MLB Extra Innings, NHL on the Ice, and last but not least ESPN Game Day!

The eighth reason why you should purchase Directv is because you can choose can get Pay-Per-View Movies & Events! There are approximately 80 channels to choose from! Cable TV only offers you approximately 40 movies to choose from, now you can decide which one is the better deal!

Do you plan on moving? Reason number nine will encourage you even more to look into the Directv system! You can move or reinstall the system in your new home when you buy Directv. This will make your life a lot easier. When you get done with the move and get your satellite system all set up, you can throw your feet up, relax and watch your favorite television show from your favorite satellite provider!

We're at our last reason for this article as to why you should look into getting the Direct tv system! Because you can get JD Power! This is claimed to be the number one ranking versus both cable and satellite providers for your customer satisfaction! Now what are you waiting for? Those are your Top Ten Reasons to Select Directv!

This article is free for republishing

2005 AFC South football preview by: James Campbell

OVERVIEW: AFC South

In the AFC South look for the Jacksonville Jaguars to nip at the heels of the Colts for most of the season but in the end the Colts with an improved defense must be given the nod to win the division. Colt HC Tony Dungy had to do something with his defense given the fact that they were ranked 28th overall in the NFL last season and allowed a whopping 237 yards per game thru the air which ranked them 26th in pass defense, Dungy came through in a big way by drafting five defensive players within his first six selections and three of those picks were used on defensive backs.

The Colts top draft pick this year was used on CB Marlin Jackson out of Michigan, with their second pick they drafted CB Kelvin Hayden out of Illinois, Jackson should be an instant starter while Hayden will in all likelihood be used in nickel packages, with their fifth selection the Colts took S Matt Giordano out of California for depth and help on special teams.

When you had the best passing attack in the NFL in 2004 and overall averaged 404.4 yards per game on offense its no small wonder that the Colts didn't tinker much on this side of the ball, however, the Colts were indeed fortunate to finish the 2004 campaign with a straight up record of 13-5 overall when considering just how bad their defense was in allowing an average of 366.1 total yards per game which of course is the reason why Colt contests exceeded the posted total in 12 of 18 outings last year.

Jacksonville was the opposite of Indianapolis with regard to not allowing a lot of points but then they didn't score a lot of points either, as a matter of fact 12 of the Jags 16 outings in 2004 dipped UNDER the posted total and according to the ole history book the Jags have now failed to score 30 points or more in their past 50 straight contests, with QB Byron Leftwich back under center and a year of experience under his belt I would look for the Jags to score more points this season, however, keep in mind that HC Jack Del Rio is and always will be a defense first coach that likes to play conservative on offense.

Jacksonville, Indianapolis, and Houston have the distinction of being in a three way tie for having the 13th toughest schedule in the NFL for the 2005 season based on their opponents 2004 final win/loss records, this does not bode well for Jacksonville and Houston who are trying to unseat the Colts for the top spot.

Houston has improved their seasonal win/loss total each of the past three years since their 2002 NFL debut and it would not surprise me to see this Texan team win 8 or 9 games in 2005 and possibly take the second spot in the divisional standings when its all said and done. What looks to hold these young Texans back in 2005 is the fact that they are in the same division as the Colts and Jags.

Texan QB David Carr has proven he can take a lickin' and keep on tickin' when considering that he was sacked 49 times last season, this same offensive line was responsible for most of the injuries that Texan RB's absorbed in 2004 and this weakness will probably prove to be Houston's downfall once again in 2005 as they have not taken steps to correct this fault.

If these young Texans can stay healthy this season and improve their offensive line play they will indeed surprise some folks, however, look for these Texans to tire coming down the stretch as they will take their bye early in the season during the third week of the schedule and must play three of their final five games on the road and in this same span will play much improved Arizona and Jacksonville teams at home.

The Titans finished last years campaign with a 5-11 straight up and ATS record which was by far the worst finish under HC Jeff Fisher during his tenure. The good news for the Titans is that they had a pretty good draft which should give them a much needed shot of youth on their roster, the bad news is that they are still in salary cap hell for this upcoming season which is the reason why they were so quiet in the free agent wars.

With the being said, Titan HC Jeff Fisher is still one of the very best coaches in the league and always seems to get the most out of his troops. Although I see Tennessee once again finishing up in the cellar I believe there will be many opportunities to win some wagers this season with these Titans, however, these opportunities will probably not present themselves until after the first four weeks of the new season.

Tennessee opens their season against four playoff teams from 2004 when they take on the likes of Pittsburgh, Baltimore, St Louis, and Indianapolis in their first four outings, all four games will in all likelihood be marked in the loss column which will create "Value" when they play their next five games against non playoff teams prior to taking their bye during week 10 of the 2005 season.




Football Forecastor is home to the nations most prolific sports handicapper, we specialize in NFL and College Football handicapping and take sports betting to a whole new level by treating sports wagering as an investment.

Over the past 30 yrs plus, I have been on both sides of the Sports Investment Business, as a entrepreneur that ran his own business, to building and maintaining a Private Clientele base that Greatly Benefits from my Superior Handicapping expertise in the sporting arena.

Football Forecastor has been an internet based sports handicapping service since 1997, we specialize in NFL and College football handicapping and over the past eight years have maintained one of the very best winning percentages of any sports handicapping service.

If you are looking for a Proven winner that churns out Consistent NFL and College football winning selections visit us at footballforecastor.com today!!

2005 NFC North Football preview by: James Campbell

OVERVIEW: NFC North

Look for a changing of the guard In the NFC North in 2005 as I fully expect to see the Green Bay Packers pass the torch to the Vikings and finish below the .500 mark, Pack QB Brett Favre has spent 14 of his 15 NFL seasons in Green Bay and has had a Hall of Fame career which includes the honor of being the NFL's only three time MVP, Favre also has the distinction of being the NFL's "Iron Man" with regard to his starting 225 consecutive games.

However, Favre will turn 36 yrs old on October 10 and his offensive line is significantly weaker with the key losses of starting offensive guards Marco Rivera and Mike Wahle, and those losses are in addition to losing starting S Darren Sharper and bit players S Michael Hawthorne and S Bhawoh Jue who provided depth in an already weak defensive secondary.

Other than snagging Favre's replacement in QB Aaron Rogers with their top draft selection the Packers had a very average draft which is not a good thing when considering that they really didn't pick up anyone of consequence in free agency, Green Bay opened up their 2004 campaign with a 1-4 straight up and ATS record which includes losing their first three home games to the likes of the Bears, the Giants, and the Titans which is not a good sign considering that these three teams finished up 2004 with a combined record of 16-32 straight up.

The Vikings appear to be the heir apparent to the NFC North throne as the ousting of WR Randy Moss who was nothing but a distraction along with the best draft of any team in the division and a good free agent crop might just turn these Vikings into a serious contender for the overall NFC crown when the smoke clears.

However, with that being said the real question is whether the Vikings can overcome the distraction of the team being sold as well as the silly game time decisions and poor clock management of HC Mike Tice who if you recall was busted for scalping Super Bowl tickets.

Detroit figures to give the Vikings a battle for the crown as long as they can remain healthy, Lion HC Steve Mariucci is in his third year with the organization and needs to make strides this year if he wants GM Matt Millen to hang around after 2005, Steve Mariucci was brought in after the Lions finished 2001 and 2002 with a combined record of 5-27 straight up and 15-16-1 ATS.

In Mariucci's two seasons with the Lions they have gone 11-21 straight up and 17-15 ATS which means although slowly there has been improvement, the Lions selected three Pac-10 players with their top three choices by drafting WR Mike Williams out of USC with their top selection which makes this the third straight draft that a WR was chosen with the Lions first overall pick, with the Lions second pick they chose DT Shaun Cody out of USC and with their third choice they picked CB Stanley Wilson out of Stanford.

The Lions got a possible steal in the fifth round with QB Dan Orlovsky out of Connecticut, Detroit was also very active in the free agent wars by picking up QB Jeff Garcia who used to play for Mariucci in San Francisco and thus knows this offense very well, if QB Joey Harrington continues to under perform expect to see a switch to Garcia. The additions of problem child WR Kevin Johnson and TE Marcus Pollard will bring veteran leadership to the offense.

HC Lovie Smith and his Bears continue to be a work in progress as they once again will bring up the rear in 2005, windy city faithful had high hopes for this team following a 13-4 straight up and 11-5-1 ATS season in 2001, however, in the three seasons since that break out year of 2001 these Bears have tallied a dismal 16-32 straight up and 20-28 ATS record and the song will remain the same in 2005 as the Bears used their top draft choice on RB Cedric Benson.

Benson will in all likelihood be one heck of a back, the problem lies in the fact that the Bears don't have an offensive line to block for the poor guy, Chicago's terrible offensive line play in 2004 was the root cause of the Bears seeing three QB's including Rex Grossman sidelined with injuries, its head shaking stuff to consider that this offensive line allowed a staggering 66 sacks which in the end caused the Bears to finish with an overall offensive ranking of 32nd in the league.

In closing I see the NFC North as a race between the Vikings and Lions for the top spot with the Packers coming in third and Chicago bringing up the rear, if not for the Vikings bad game time coaching I would expect to see them win this division handily, however, Viking HC Mike Tice will probably cost his team two close losses via bad decisions when its said and done.

The Vikings will probably be a public darling for most of the season so not much "Value" will be found by backing them, instead look to play against the Vikes when they are installed as road favorites this season as they are 4-10 ATS in this role over the past four years, the Vikings also tend to be way over valued by the public when playing at home as evidenced by the Vikes 1-10 ATS record as a home favorite of more than six points.

Look to jump on the Lion bandwagon this season when they are installed as road doggies, Detroit posted a road mark of 3-5 straight up and 5-3 ATS in 2004 which is eye opening stuff when considering that they had lost 24 straight road games prior to 2004, if these Lions can remain healthy and QB Joey Harrington or Jeff Garcia have a decent season these Lions will have an offense that can keep them in any game they play.

Jim Campbell is one of the nations most respected Sports Handicappers, he specializes in College and Pro Football, you can visit Jim at his website located at footballforecastor.com for all of your handicapping needs including free play selections, College and NFL stats, trends and award winning analysis on upcoming games.

With over 30 plus years experience in the handicapping profession Jim has built a solid reputation, his web based handicapping service at footballforecastor.com as been in existence since 1997 and year after year proves to be one of the very best handicapping services in America.


Football Forecastor is home to the nations most prolific sports handicapper, we specialize in NFL and College Football handicapping and take sports betting to a whole new level by treating sports wagering as an investment.

Over the past 30 yrs plus, I have been on both sides of the Sports Investment Business, as a entrepreneur that ran his own business, to building and maintaining a Private Clientele base that Greatly Benefits from my Superior Handicapping expertise in the sporting arena.

Football Forecastor has been an internet based sports handicapping service since 1997, we specialize in NFL and College football handicapping and over the past eight years have maintained one of the very best winning percentages of any sports handicapping service.

If you are looking for a Proven winner that churns out Consistent NFL and College football winning selections visit us at footballforecastor.com today!!

2005 AFC North Football preview by: James Campbell

OVERVIEW: AFC North

In the AFC North I expect to see the Pittsburgh Steelers who posted a mark of 16-2 straight up and 11-7 ATS overall last season to win a close divisional battle over the Baltimore Ravens who finished up their 2004 campaign with a 9-7 straight up and ATS mark and over a much improved Cincinnati Bengal team that finished with an 8-8 straight up record for the second straight year in 2004, the Brownies once again look to pull up the rear in what should prove to be the toughest division in the NFL in 2005.

Pittsburgh has a tough row to hoe this season, the Steelers only have five games on the 2005 docket against 2004 playoff teams but four of those affairs take place on the road and that includes Monday Night road games at San Diego and at Indianapolis, overall the Steelers will play 10 of their 16 games against teams that posted .500 records or better last year, thus the reason for the projected drop off in regular season wins.

Like most teams Pittsburgh lost quite a bit of talent to free agency, most notably the Steelers lost a total of five linemen along their offensive and defensive fronts which could cause depth problems if the ole injury bug hits and those losses were in addition to star WR Plaxico Burress departing to the big apple to play catch with Eli Manning.

Baltimore has a very favorable schedule with regard to playing seven games against playoff teams from a year ago, however, five of those seven affairs will take place in Baltimore and two of those games are against dome teams (Vikes and Colts). The Ravens drafted WR Mark Clayton out of Oklahoma and overall had the best draft of any team in the AFC North, the free agent addition of WR Derrick Mason from the Titans along with the drafting of WR Clayton should bolster a stagnant Raven passing attack that was fully exposed last season.

The Bengals finished 2004 with an 8-8 straight up record for the second straight year under HC Marvin Lewis, Bengal faithful should be overjoyed with their seasonal finishes over the past couple of years when considering that these same Bengals posted a total of 8 wins combined during their 2001 and 2002 campaigns.

With QB Carson Palmer starting his second full season under center and weapons WR Chad Johnson and RB Rudi Johnson happy with new contracts, Cincinnati has all of the pieces on offense to make the playoffs in 2005, the Bengal's major malfunction during their 2004 campaign was their run defense but the drafting of Georgia DE David Pollack who will play LB for the Bengals and Georgia LB Odell Thurman should correct that problem.

A new era starts in Cleveland Brownie land with the arrival of new HC Romeo Crennell who replaces ousted Butch Davis, the Brownies are actually an expansion team once again when considering that they have a totally new front office, totally new coaching staff and have replaced most of their offensive and defensive starters, the saving grace is that the new QB will be experienced retread Trent Dilfer who should be able to provide much needed leadership.

The Brownies added a lot of talent via the free agent market and actually had a pretty good draft which was highlighted with WR Braylon Edwards as their top choice, but in the big scheme of things there has been way too much turnover in this organization to expect much in 2005, look to play the Brownies whenever a home doggie of more than a FG after week four of the regular season, by this time the team should start to gel a little and the public won't be ready for the opportunity.

In closing, the AFC North is a three horse race between Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Baltimore for the top spot, the difference maker will probably be who catches the ole injury bug and who avoids it, with that being said Pittsburgh gets the nod to win the division because of their depth at the QB and RB positions.

With regard to betting opportunities, Pittsburgh played 12 non divisional games in 2004 and went 6-6 ATS in those affairs, a closer look see reveals that the Steelers were a betting underdog in five of the six non divisional games they covered, meanwhile, the Steelers were favorites in five of the six non divisional games they failed to cover.

In other words as a dog playing a non divisional game the Steelers were virtually a sure bet to cover the spread, however, as a favorite in a non divisional game the Steelers had a tough time getting it up and hence proved to be almost a sure bet to NOT cover the posted number, a check backward in time reveals that these Steelers have failed to cover 6 of the past 7 times they have taken to the road as a favorite of six points or less against a non divisional opponent…things that make you go hmmmmm!!



Football Forecastor is home to the nations most prolific sports handicapper, we specialize in NFL and College Football handicapping and take sports betting to a whole new level by treating sports wagering as an investment.

Over the past 30 yrs plus, I have been on both sides of the Sports Investment Business, as a entrepreneur that ran his own business, to building and maintaining a Private Clientele base that Greatly Benefits from my Superior Handicapping expertise in the sporting arena.

Football Forecastor has been an internet based sports handicapping service since 1997, we specialize in NFL and College football handicapping and over the past eight years have maintained one of the very best winning percentages of any sports handicapping service.

If you are looking for a Proven winner that churns out Consistent NFL and College football winning selections visit us at footballforecastor.com today!!

Cold Nights and Hot Games: Great Alaska Shootout Basketball Tourney by: Ron Richards

Each year, colleges and universities from all over the nation send their men's basketball teams to the "Last Frontier State" to the Great Alaska Shootout Basketball Tourney. The competition heats up the cold winter days and nights, as teams meet head on to battle for buckets. Colleges and universities get the opportunity to play against their top rivals and powerhouses of the game. These games draw in record crowds each year, as any basketball fan should not miss the chance to attend this fast paced pre season classic.

The main question on any sports fan's mind is, why Alaska? The reason is simple, former University of Alaska Anchorage head coach, Bob Rachal found a loophole in the NCAA rules determining pre season play. In an effort to draw more attention to the state, the University of Alaska Anchorage, and the Seawolves athletic program, Rachal became the mastermind of what began as the Sea Wolf Classic. The NCAA rules stated any games played outside the contagious 48 states did not count towards a program's pre determined allotment. For this reason, participants of the Great Alaska Shootout Basketball Tourney can get an early gauge of their teams prowess against national talent.

The first Sea Wolf Classic was held in 1978 for the '78-'79 basketball season and saw the Wolfpack of North Carolina State University crush the University of Louisville's Cardinals. The tournament ended in 1978, leaving many wondering if it would become an annual event. Much to everyone's relief, the Sea Wolf Classic became a Thanksgiving tradition in 1979, but under a new name.

Broadcaster Billy Packer is credited with changing the name from the Sea Wolf Classic to the Great Alaska Shootout Basketball Tourney back in 1979. In this stunning tournament, the title game came down to the University of Kentucky Wildcats and the Iona College Gaels. The Wildcats proved too powerful for the tiny New York school, and emerged victorious as the second champion of this fantastic new basketball challenge.

A list of past champions reads like a who's who of College basketball, including NC State, Louisville, Kansas, Kentucky, Duke, North Carolina, and UCLA to name a few.

The attendance may have been meager in the early days, but soon the action caught on, and now college basketball fans of all ages flock to the state for the Thanksgiving weekend Great Alaska Shootout Basketball Tourney. What better way to celebrate our national day of thanks than by cheering on teams from all across the country? Many hotels, cruises, and lodges have special packages designed with the college basketball fan in mind.

If you find you cannot wait until December to enjoy hot hoops action, head to Anchorage and watch the action melt away the snow! Plan a trip for the family and bring budding sports fans to experience the thrilling display of skill and sportsmanship, or make it a raucous occasion for celebration with your best hoops loving buds. Whoever you bring, just make sure you bring yourself to this annual college basketball showdown!


About The Author:

A lifelong Alaskan, Ron Richards lives in the beautiful Matanuska Valley. Ron invites you to come and see Alaska. One excellent way to enjoy Alaska is by taking an affordable Alaska cruise.


This article is free for republishing

2005 AFC East Football preview by: James Campbell

OVERVIEW: AFC EAST

In the AFC East I expect to see the Patriots drop off a bit, but not much, the reason for the projected drop off is mainly due to the fact that the Patriots will be without the services of offensive coordinator Charlie Weis and defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel, both have moved on to head coaching positions, Weis with Notre Dame and Crennel with the Cleveland Browns. Eric Mangini is the new defensive coordinator, while Bill Belichick will be calling the plays on offense himself.

The Patriots play seven games this season against 2004 playoff teams and four of those affairs will take place on the road, the Patriots also lost a lot of talent such as WR David Patton, OG Joe Andruzzi, and CB Ty Law via free agency and very well could be without their defensive leader LB Tedy Bruschi whose status is uncertain following an off season stroke, then there is the matter of the Patriots winning three of the past four Super Bowls, meaning that the Patriots have played nine post season games above and beyond the normal sixteen game regular season schedule over the past four years and have had to deal with all of the off season commitments and hoopla that come with winning the big game, also, don't forget that the team that wins the Super Bowl is in the least best position come draft time, meaning that the "Fresh Blood" talent pool on the Patriots has depleted due to their success.

The saving grace for the Patriots in the AFC East comes from the fact that the Jets did not help themselves a whole lot in the draft other than taking Kicker Mike Nugent out of Ohio State with their top selection, like the Patriots, the Jets also lost a lot of talent via free agency with the departure of starters WR Santana Moss, TE Anthony Becht, RT Kareem McKenzie, and DT Jason Ferguson, however, the greatest loss to free agency for the Jets may turn out to be RB Lamont Jordan who could have stepped in quite nicely if 32 year old RB Cutis Martin goes down to injury.

However, the Jets were smart enough to pick up former Dolphin QB Jay Fiedler to back up starting QB Chad Pennington who has been injury prone as of late, Jet HC Herm Edwards replaced his offensive coordinator Paul Hackett with former Titan offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger which will be interesting because Heimerdinger likes to throw the deep ball, meanwhile, Pennington is fresh off shoulder surgery and is better suited for the west coast style of short ball passing.

Buffalo finished the 2004 season strong down the stretch in winning 8 of 9 games before losing their final game of the season at home to the Steelers, however, that season ending loss to Pittsburgh was costly as it proved to be a difference maker in deciding who went to the playoffs and who stayed at home, the Bills are indeed a team on the rise with a really good defense and excellent special teams, however, they probably booted QB Drew Bledsoe out of town a year too early and will be starting last years #1 draft pick JP Losman in his place which of course means some growing pains this season for the young QB.

Miami finished the 2004 season with a shoddy 4-12 record but like Buffalo looks to be a team on the rise in the AFC East, I won't be foolhardy enough to predict a playoff berth after a four win season but I do see major improvement for the Dolphins this season and think a seven or eight win season is not out of the realm of possibility when considering that the Dolphins now have Nick Saban at the helm as their new HC.

Unlike Steve Spurrier when he made his NFL debut with the Skins, Nick Saban was smart enough to go out and get experienced NFL assistants, Saban brought in former Viking offensive coordinator Scott Linehan to run the offense and former Charger coach Hudson Houck to run the defense, Saban also engineered one of the best drafts of any team in the league, look for former Auburn RB Ronnie Brown to make an immediate impact.

In closing, the Patriots finished up 2004 with an impressive 13-5-1 ATS mark on the heels of posting a 14-4-1 ATS mark in 2003, can New England once again dominate the spread wars in 2005? Probably so, but not to the extent of the past couple of seasons, you see my friend "Joe Public" type bettors will in all likelihood view the Patriots as a "Go against" team in 2005 due to the loss of Weis and Crennel, however, Belichick is still the HC and Tom Brady is still the QB under center.

With that being said I would recommend making a play on the Patriots whenever they are receiving points in a doggie role, not much value will be had this season with the Jets, meanwhile, both Buffalo and Miami will be unpredictable during the first eight weeks of the season due to the fact that both teams will have new starting QB's under center and both teams have weaknesses up front on the offensive line, in Miami's case their players have to learn new schemes on both sides of the ball due to a whole new coaching staff.


Football Forecastor is home to the nations most prolific sports handicapper, we specialize in NFL and College Football handicapping and take sports betting to a whole new level by treating sports wagering as an investment.

Over the past 30 yrs plus, I have been on both sides of the Sports Investment Business, as a entrepreneur that ran his own business, to building and maintaining a Private Clientele base that Greatly Benefits from my Superior Handicapping expertise in the sporting arena.

Football Forecastor has been an internet based sports handicapping service since 1997, we specialize in NFL and College football handicapping and over the past eight years have maintained one of the very best winning percentages of any sports handicapping service.

If you are looking for a Proven winner that churns out Consistent NFL and College football winning selections visit us at footballforecastor.com today!!