Sports Picks For Sale - Tom Stryker

Hot Streaks and Achievements

  • NFL Game of the Year 13-2 last 15 years (2009-23)
  • Ranked #1 in NCAA FB two straight years (2000-01)
  • Subject of an ESPN Magazine feature story, 2010

Biography

Tom Stryker built the world’s most valuable handicapping database, and his proprietary knowledge has been lucrative for his ever-loyal clientele.

Active since:  1984

Location:  South Bend, IN

Tom Stryker’s achieved virtually everything in his storied career.  After all, he’s the only handicapper to have ever won back-to-back NCAA Football titles at The Sports Monitor.  And he’s also on an 11-year streak where he’s cashed his NFL Game of the Year!  But perhaps Tom’s greatest accomplishment is that he built (with Tom Scott) the famous Buckeye Database.  Indeed, no less than ESPN Magazine has called Tom the “keymaster for what may be the world’s most valuable sports handicapping database.”

Tom’s been involved with sports his entire life.  He played baseball at Indiana, and entered the sports handicapping business in 1984, when he worked with Tom Scott’s Buckeye Sports.  After 15 years, Tom broke away to form his own service in 1999.  Tom’s success was instantaneous.  He finished #1 in College Football in both 2000 and 2001 at The Sports Monitor, as he hit 68.3 and 61.5 percent those two seasons.  Then, in 2003, Tom was once again dialed in on the College gridiron, as Tom’s TOP College play posted an incredible 11-3 ATS record for 79 percent. That’s not the best part. Tom’s “play on” side in those 11 victories outscored its opponent 531-162!  That’s an average whipping of 48.3 to 14.7!  Beyond College Football, Tom recorded an array of Top 12 finishes including:  28-12 for 70.0 percent in the 2000 NBA Playoffs (#2), 4-0 for 100 percent in the 2001 NFL Playoffs (#1), 23-12 for 65.7 percent in the 2002 NBA Playoffs (#5), 52-36 for 59.1 percent in the 2001-02 College Basketball season (#2), 8-3 for 72.7 percent in the 2002 College Bowl Season (#3), 5-1 for 83.3 percent in the 2004 NFL Playoffs (#3) and 40-31 with a 6.64 percent return on risk and a net profit of $3,976 in the 2003 MLB season!  

Those early years cemented Tom as one of the most talented handicappers in the world.  And the winning has never stopped.  Let’s check out what Tom has done lately.  On December 15, 2019, Tom cashed his 7* NFL Game of the Year when New England (-10) blasted Cincinnati 34-13.  That blowout victory was Tom’s 11th consecutive NFL Game of the Year payday.  It should be noted that those 11 wins came by an average of 23.2 points per game!  In 2018, in the First and Second rounds of the NCAA Tournament, Tom posted a golden 12-0, 100% ATS record for +34.0 stars.  Big Dance bettors made a small fortune in that blistering four-day run.  For example, customers who invested $100 per star pocketed a cool, crisp $3,400!  Also in 2018, Stryker enjoyed a stunning gridiron run that raised plenty of eyebrows.  From September 22 through December 17, Tom assembled a jaw-dropping 62-28-5, 68.9% ATS record for +54.1 net stars.  This spectacular football run stands as one of Stryker’s best ever!  And three years ago, Tom found plenty of Best Bet success on the football field. From October 28th, 2017 to January 1st, 2018, Stryker compiled a lucrative 49-25-2, 66.2 ATS record for +78.7 stars.  On Best Bets rated 4*(and higher) in that run, Tom posted a reliable 15-5-1, 70% ATS mark!  With 36 years of hard-earned experience, and an unmatched work ethic, there’s no doubt Tom’s success will continue.  

Tom’s plays are rated as high as 7*, but most fall into the 1* to 5* range.  Tom considers any selection rated 3* and higher to be very strong plays.  It is imperative that clients play Tom’s selections as they are rated.  For example, if you were playing $100 per star, you would invest $300 on a 3* release, $500 on a 5* release and $700 on a 7* release.

Tom's NCAAF Big 10 Bankroll Builder

Friday, Aug 30, 2024

Without question, one of the toughest football games to handicap is a team’s first of the season.  You can read all you want about the talent surrounding the program and get a feel for how the troops will play from watching practices and listening to the coaches’ comments.  However, until you witness the finished product on the field, the jury is still out. This week, with the help of the Team Stryker Database, I decided to take a look at how well certain conferences performed overall in season lid-lifters.  To my surprise, there were a number of profitable technical situations that were worth noting.  One of the best I stumbled across can be found below.  Take a look:   Since 1998, PLAY ON any Big 10 non revenging home favorite priced between -7 and -21 battling a non-conference opponent provided both teams are competing in their first game of the season.  26-Year ATS Record = 43-16 ATS for 72.8 percent  This Week’s Plays = MICHIGAN STATE (Friday) and MARYLAND (Saturday) The Big 10 has historically been one of the best conferences in college football and fast starts have been a top priority for all of the teams.  This specific technical situation backs a Big 10 home squad at a competitive price that is prepared to dominate a non-conference foe.  With the addition of Oregon, UCLA, USC, and the University of Washington, the Big 10 will be better than ever and winning non-conference games will hold a higher level of importance. Good luck with the Spartans on Friday and the Terrapins on Saturday.

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One of College Football's Toughest Encores

Friday, Oct 27, 2023

Huge upsets are a part of college football.  They happen every year and they’re hard to predict.  Emotionally, the team that pulls off the shocking defeat is usually on “Cloud 9” all week long and difficult to ground. With that thought in mind, I didn’t want to look at schools coming off a stunning straight up home dog win.  Instead, I wanted to pay special attention to those squads that went on the road as big underdogs and left a hostile environment with the “W”.  Here’s what I discovered. Since 1980, PLAY AGAINST any college home underdog or favorite of -3 or less provided they take the field off exactly one straight up win as a conference road dog of +10 or more in their last game.  43-Year ATS Record = 92-53-5 ATS for 63.4 percent  This Week’s Play = NEW MEXICO Here we have an emotionally spent college football team that is competitively priced coming off one of their biggest victories of the season.  Even the sound of that makes me want to fade the team coming off the upset win.  There is validity to that statement, too.  As you know, college football is all about emotion.  Once you pull off a massive upset on the conference road, it has to be difficult to carry that same level of play to the next game especially matched up against a quality opponent.  This system proves that theory right.  Last Saturday, Nevada (+11.5) strolled into California and upset San Diego State by the final of 6-0.  That means head coach Ken Wilson and his troops apply to this negative angle. There is one strong tightener that can be added to this general situation that makes it even more profitable.  If our “play against” guest is tackling a foe that carries a won/loss percentage of .425 or better, this system drops to a stiff 37-78-4 ATS.  The Wolfpack are facing a Lobos bunch that holds a team won/loss percentage of .428 and they apply to this special parameter. Good luck with New Mexico on Saturday!  Go Lobos!

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Going for the Game 6 Gusto

Friday, Oct 06, 2023

Believe it or not, we’re at the half-way point of the college football season.  There are a number of teams that will be playing in their sixth game.  For those schools that got off to a hot start, that might not mean much.  But, for a handful of programs that got out of the gate slowly, game six could be a critical one. If a team has a losing record after game five, there is a great deal for concern.  For the most part, these schools are in the heart of their conference schedule and wins aren’t going to come easily.  Suffering another loss at this point in the schedule only puts them further behind.  Of course, on the flip side, a solid win can bring a team in this setting back to respectability and turn things around in a hurry. This week’s system takes a look at those college programs that go into a game six setting with a 2-3 SU record.  Simple math tells you that 3-3 SU looks a heckuva lot better than 2-4 SU.  With that thinking in mind, I turned to the Team Stryker Database.  Here is what I discovered: Since 1980, PLAY ON any game six home favorite priced at -7.5 or more that owns a 2-3 SU record, provided their opponent holds a team won/loss percentage less than .800 and does NOT take the field off a blowout loss of 31 points or more.  43-Year ATS Record = 70-35-2 ATS for 66.7 percent  This Week’s Play’s = MISSISSIPPI STATE & BOISE STATE  Pretty simple, huh?  Here we have a team that is favored and hungry to get back to the .500 mark going up against an opponent that wasn’t seriously embarrassed in their last outing.  At the half-way point of the season, a school can rest comfortably with a 3-3 SU record.  It’s easy to turn things around with a mark like that.  However, a loss would drop a team down to 2-4 SU and getting back to .500 would take so much more.   There is one parameter that we can add to make this general system stronger.  If our “play on” side carries a pointspread won/loss percentage less than .500, this situation jumps to a money-making 40-15 ATS for 72.7 percent.  Both the Bulldogs and Broncos apply to this tightener.   Good luck with Mississippi State and Boise State this weekend.

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College Football's Game Five Nosedive

Thursday, Sep 28, 2023

College Football’s Game 5 NosediveAs we approach the halfway point of the college football season, a number of squads have been put on notice.  Are you going to be a pretender or a contender?  With most FBS teams scheduled to play 12 regular season games, that needs to be determined as quickly as possible or it might be too little too late. Before the mid-point of the season hits next week, I researched how well teams did in a game five settings.  There were a number of things that I looked at, but none more important than those schools that owned a critical .500 record.  In my opinion, college teams sitting at 2-2 SU after four games were locked into a must-win situation.  It was my expectation that these squads would do very well both SU and ATS.  The best of what I discovered was far from that. As you know, with the help of my college football database, the same one that was featured in the December 13th, 2010, issue of the ESPN Insider magazine, I’ve been able to isolate and profit from a number of outstanding technical situations that have performed very well.  My “College Football’s Game Five Nosedive” system is one that has made my clients and I a great deal of profit over the years.  Take a look at this beauty. Since 1980, PLAY AGAINST any 2-2 SU game five college favorite priced at -4.5 or more provided they are playing a conference foe and check in without confidence off back-to-back straight up losses.  43-Year ATS Record = 39-13-2 ATS for 75.0 percent  This Week’s Play = MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE Surprisingly, these conference favorites in need of a win to get off the .500 mark continue to tank provided they take the field of battle without momentum off a pair of straight up losses.  After knocking the snot out of South Florida and Houston Christian, Western Kentucky has fallen on hard times in its last two games against Ohio State and Troy.  The knee-jerk reaction would be to jump all over the Hilltoppers thinking they would bounce back.  According to this college system, that is exactly what you don’t want to do.  There is one special parameter that can be added to this situation that really makes it pop.  If our “play against” side was priced as a favorite or a short underdog of +6 or less in its last game, this system falls to a woeful 6-24-1 ATS.  Western Kentucky was a +4-point pooch at Troy last Saturday and the Hilltoppers apply to this negative wagering situation. Good Luck with MTSU plus the points at WKU on Thursday evening.

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Game 3 College Conference Jitters

Thursday, Sep 14, 2023

It’s no secret.  Division games in pro sports and conference battles in college athletics just mean a little more.  When team goals are set at the beginning of a season, they always include winning the division or conference crown.  It’s truly a top priority. When I started researching games that kicked off early in the season at game four or less, I began by looking at how well a team did in their first conference matchup.  In my opinion, making a statement in your first conference game carried a great deal of weight and importance.   It built momentum and set the tone for the rest of the way out.   I’ll admit, I did find technical success with that concept in mind.  However, it wasn’t until I started bringing college teams into their conference opener off a couple of non-conference wars before financial sparks started to fly.   As you know, with the help of my college football database, the same one that was featured in the December 13th, 2010, issue of the ESPN Insider magazine, I’ve been able to isolate and profit from a number of early season technical situations that have performed very well.  My “Game Three College Conference Jitters” system is one that has made my clients and I a great deal of profit over the years.  Take a look at this beauty. Since 1980, PLAY AGAINST any conference host in game three of the season provided they won their last battle by nine points or more and tackled a pair of non-conference foes in their previous two contests.  43 Year ATS Record = 103-65-3 ATS for 61.3 percent  This Week’s Play = NAVY, UTAH STATE, SOUTH CAROLINA & TENNESSEE After competing against a couple of non-conference foes and now fighting in their own backyard off a solid win, the emotion of this first conference test proves to be too much for our host.  There are a couple of parameters that can be added to this system that really makes it pop.   If our “play against” home team is priced as a favorite or an underdog of +7.5 or less and is tackling an opponent that arrives with steam off a blowout victory of nine points or more, this situation crumbles to a woeful 20-51-1 ATS.  With those two parameters live and our host locked into a revenge mode, this angle falls to a shocking 2-26-1 ATS.  Air Force and Florida are the two teams that fit this negative wagering situation. Good luck with the Aggies (Utah State) on Friday and the Volunteers (Tennessee) on Saturday!

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NFL Season-Opening Division Dilemma

Friday, Sep 08, 2023

Getting out of the gate in the NFL is never easy.  Teams in the league and their corresponding talent levels change on an annual basis and it takes a few games to see if this year’s squad can get after it or not. Season openers can be really tricky, too.  Several NFL teams don’t show very much in the preseason and tend to flip the switch when the contests count for real.  Since everyone is highly motivated in their first regular season battle, you’ll find that division wars carry additional meaning.  Old rivalries never die, and teams locked into division matchups in openers can provide us with some really nice investment opportunities. With the help of my NFL football database, the same one that was featured in the December 13th, 2010, issue of the ESPN Insider magazine, I’ve been able to isolate and profit from a number of incredible technical situations.  My “NFL Season Opening Division Dilemma” system is one that has made my clients and I a great deal of money over the years.  It kind of goes against the grain.  The result I expected was the opposite of what really transpired.  Take a peek at this beauty: Since 1981, PLAY AGAINST any season opening home favorite priced competitively at -5 or less provided they were a losing team a year ago (won/loss percentage less than .500) if their opponent owned a team won/loss percentage less than .560 last season.  42 Year ATS Record = 44-25-1 ATS for 63.8 percent  This Week’s PLAY ON Teams  = CAROLINA, TENNESSEE, GREEN BAY, and LAS VEGAS  Surprisingly, this short, hungry home favorite that was a stone-cold loser a season ago just isn’t ready to lay a small number into an opposing team that is starved for respect as well.  There is one special tightener that can be added to this technical situation that really makes it pop.  If our “play against” side is matched up against a division foe, this game one angle crashes to a horrible 4-16 ATS.  The Falcons, Bears, and Broncos are locked into this negative wagering parameter. Good luck with the Panthers, Packers, and Raiders on Opening Day!

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NFL Game Three Home Chalk That Doesn't Walk

Saturday, Sep 24, 2022

Now that the NFL is off and running and each team has a couple of games under their belt, there is hope that things will settle down in the league.  There are always surprises early in the season and we’ve been treated to a few major upsets and a couple of incredible comebacks.  There will likely be more. Thankfully, with the help of my pro football database, the same one that was featured in the December 13th, 2010, issue of the ESPN Insider magazine, I’ve been able to isolate and profit from a number of early season technical situations that have performed very well.  My “NFL Game Three Home Chalk That Doesn’t Walk” system is one that has made my clients and I a great deal of profit over the years. The research I did on this particular situation was pretty basic and simple.  I wanted to see how a 1-1 SU team did at home checking in off a straight up loss.  My gut told me that these teams probably did pretty well.  I couldn’t have been more wrong.  Take a peek at this handicapping gem:   Since 1986, PLAY AGAINST any game three NFL home favorite that owns a 1-1 SU record provided they take the field off a straight up non-division road loss, if they are battling a foe that is competing in their third regular season game.  36-Year ATS Record = 40-11-2 ATS for 78.4 percent  This Week’s Play = DETROIT LIONS The knee-jerk reaction would be to side with that 1-1 SU host thinking they would bounce back of a road loss.  That simply doesn’t happen.  Last week, after knocking off Green Bay at home in its season opener, Minnesota traveled to Philadelphia on Monday night and dropped a 24-7 decision to the Eagles.  Now, the Purple People Eaters are back in the Twin Cities laying points to a Lions bunch that arrives with steam off a home win and cover over the Commanders.  Our Game Three Home Chalk That Doesn’t Walk system demands that we fade the Vikes in this spot. Good luck with the Lions on Sunday in this huge NFC North battle!

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NFL Game Two Hungry Underdog

Friday, Sep 16, 2022

Getting out of the gate in the NFL can be tricky.  Free agency has changed the game and, at times, pro teams that were giant killers a year ago can take on a completely different DNA the next season. Thankfully, with the help of my pro football database, the same one that was featured in the December 13th, 2010, issue of the ESPN Insider magazine, I’ve been able to isolate and profit from a number of early season technical situations that have performed very well. This week’s NFL system focuses on teams coming off a straight up loss in game one.  When you only play a 17-game season, each week is important.  In my opinion, the season opener carries a little more weight.  A win can set the tone for the entire year and, unfortunately, a loss can do the same.  While banging away at my pro database and researching teams off losses in their first contest of the season, I stumbled across one profitable situation that really stood the test of time.  Take a look. Since 1980, PLAY ON any game two NFL road underdog priced competitively at +7 or less provided they enter off a straight up loss and their opponent is playing their second game of the season and off a straight up loss as well.  42-Year ATS Record = 50-28-2 ATS for 64.1 percent  This Week’s Play = ARIZONA The Cardinals make the trek to Sin City hungry off their embarrassing 44-21 home loss to the Chiefs and they’ll look to right the ship matched up against a Raiders group that returns home off a 24-19 road loss to the Chargers.  There is one tightener that can be added to this situation that really makes it pop.  If our “play on” side arrives off a blowout blemish of seven points or more, this system cruises to a money-making 33-15 ATS for 68.7 percent.  Arizona fell to Kansas City by 23 points and head coach Kliff Kingsbury and the boys fit this situation perfectly. The Redbirds will carry the freight as our NFL Game Two Hungry Underdog.  Good luck with Arizona.

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College Football Game Two Conference Trouble

Thursday, Sep 08, 2022

When you only play a short 12-game regular season, getting out of the gate successfully is extremely important in college football.  A slow start can put teams behind the eight-ball early and, in some situations, seasons can be ruined before the month of October arrives. With the help of my college football database, the same one that was featured in the December 13th, 2010, issue of the ESPN Insider magazine, I’ve been able to isolate and profit from a number of early season technical situations that have performed very well.  The unique system you see below is no different.  This specific scenario takes a look at conference home favorites that check in off a straight up road loss in their first regular season battle.   When I thought about the set, I believed these home teams would bounce back especially since they’re highly motivated with a conference foe coming to town.  I couldn’t have been more wrong.  Take a look at what I like to call, “College Football’s Game Two Conference Trouble.” Since 2000, PLAY AGAINST any game two college football conference home favorite priced at -2.5 or more provided they arrive without confidence off a straight up road loss in their season opener.  22-Year ATS Record = 26-5 ATS for 83.8 percent  This Week’s Play’s = KANSAS and BOSTON COLLEGE  Last Saturday, West Virginia (+7’) traveled to Pittsburgh and lost 38-31 and Virginia Tech (-6’) visited Old Dominion and got rocked 20-17.  The knee-jerk reaction would be to take the Mountaineers and Hokies off those blemishes thinking they would bounce back in a big way.  That is exactly what you don’t want to do. Good luck with the Jayhawks and Eagles this week!

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Time To Crank It Up A Notch

Sunday, Dec 19, 2021

It’s getting late in the NFL season and there are a number of teams that need to crank their game up a notch.  Each team in the league is playing their 14th game (out of a 17-game season) and those squads that are hovering around the .500 mark need to make a move. With that thought in mind, I took a look at game 14 teams that held a 7-6 SU and 6-7 SU records.  With only four games remaining, those are the ones I felt really needed to put the pedal to the metal and pick up a victory.  The best of what I discovered can be found in the NFL system below.  Since 1980, PLAY ON any NFL game 14 competitive underdog priced at +7 or less provided they take the field with a 6-7 SU record.  41 Year ATS Record = 41-23-3 ATS for 64.1 percent  This Week’s Plays = WASHINGTON & LAS VEGAS  At 6-7 SU and with four games left on their schedule, these teams understand that a loss puts them two games under the .500 mark with only four games left to play.  That means the best they could do if they dropped this contest would be to finish a game over the .500-mark at 9-8 SU.  More than likely, postseason play would be difficult with that record. There are a couple of tighteners that can be added to this general system that really make it pop.  If our “play on” side is not off a blowout loss of 19 points or more and currently matched up against an opponent that takes the field off a tough division game, this system tightens up to a sensational 20-5-1 ATS for 80.0 percent.  Of the two teams that fit the general part of this system, only the Raiders apply to the tightener. Good luck with Las Vegas on Monday.  

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College Football's Towel Tosser

Friday, Nov 26, 2021

Every sport has one.  That team that gets down to their final game and simply wants nothing more than the season to come to an end.  There could be a number of reasons why – injuries, poor play, bad luck and even terrible coaching.  Regardless, this towel-tosser can provide us with a number of solid money-making opportunities.   On this short holiday week, I took a quick look at the Team Stryker Database at college football teams that were playing in their last game.  My first thought was to take a stone-cold loser and see how they performed against a team that was going places.  It took a little elbow grease.  But I was able to come up with a tremendous college system that we will definitely be able to use to turn a profit.  Check out this gem: Since 1980, PLAY AGAINST any college football home team playing in their last regular season game provided they own a team won/loss percentage less than .333, take the field off two or more straight up losses and are lined up against an opponent that arrives off a SU and ATS win.  41-Year ATS Record = 59-27-1 ATS for 68.6 percent.  This Week’s Play’s = MIAMI FL, HOUSTON, and NOTRE DAME  This is truly a simple set of parameters that churns out winner after winner.  There are a couple of pieces that we can add to this puzzle that make the situation even more profitable.  Provided our “play against” host is priced as an underdog or a favorite of -4 or less and is not off a blowout loss of 38 points or more, this system falls to a jaw-dropping 16-49-1 ATS.  The Cougars and Fighting Irish apply to this tightener. There is one more parameter that can be added to that last situation that really makes this system pop.  With our 16-49-1 ATS in hand, this handicapping tool falls to a disturbing 8-35 ATS provided our “play against” home team carried a won/loss percentage of .250 or better a season ago.  Only one host fits this negative tightener – Stanford.  Good luck with Notre Dame on this holiday weekend!

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Taking an NFL Breather

Saturday, Nov 20, 2021

It’s hard to win weekly in the NFL.  On any given day one team is capable of beating another regardless of their won/loss records. This week, I took a look at NFL teams competing in their 11th game of the season.  In particular, I focused on those squads that won 70 or 80 percent of their battles.  Out of curiosity, I wanted to see if those quality teams continued their successful run or if they would suffer a letdown.  Here’s the best of what I discovered: Since 1980, PLAY AGAINST any game 11 NFL team that holds an 8-2 SU or 7-3 SU record coming off a straight up win provided they are battling a division opponent that checks in off a straight up loss.  41-Year ATS Record = 29-9-3 ATS for 76.3 percent  This Week’s Play = HOUSTON TEXANS  Here we have a real simple system that just cashes tickets.  Tennessee holds an 8-2 SU mark and enters this AFC South battle off a home win over New Orleans and catches Houston off a week of rest and an ugly 17-9 loss at Miami.  That means the Titans qualify for this negative situation.  There is one additional parameter that can be added to this system that makes it even more profitable.  As long as our “play against” side is not laying -14 or more, this situation crumbles to a woeful 6-28-3 ATS! Hopefully, off a bye week, the Texans will show up and find a way to fall under this hefty number.  Good luck with Houston on Sunday.

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NFL'S Game 10 Elite Money-Maker

Friday, Nov 12, 2021

The big boys on Sunday are getting down to crunch time.  There are a number of teams that will be playing their 10th game of the season and some need to make a move.  Time is running out and the margin for error is very slim. This week, I took a look at game 10 teams that were hovering around the .500 mark – at 5-4 SU and 4-5 SU.  It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that those teams will be extremely focused on winning.  The last thing a 5-4 SU team wants to do is fall back to 5-5 SU.  Obviously, a 4-5 SU team will be desperately trying to grab the “W” in order to even up their record.  A couple of outstanding technical situations were discovered.  Here is the best one:   Since 1980, PLAY AGAINST any game 10 guest that holds a 5-4 SU record provided they check in off a straight up win.  41-Year ATS Record = 40-18-5 ATS for 68.9 percent  This Week’s Play on Team = NEW ENGLAND and LAS VEGAS  Honestly, given the basic parameters, I thought a 5-4 SU team that is on the road and off a straight up victory would ride the wave of momentum and win again in order to get to 6-4 SU.  As it often does, the Team Stryker Database proved me wrong.   There is one tightener that can be added to the general system that makes it more effective.  If our “play against” side enters off the comforts of a home game and is lined up against a foe that holds a won/loss percentage of .400 or higher, this game 10 situation falls to a pitiful 4-24-1 ATS.  Please note:  Since 1990, this special tightener is on a ridiculous 1-17-1 ATS run including a jaw-dropping 0-17-1 ATS provided this is not a Monday night game.  The Raiders are the only team that applies to that perfect tightener. Good luck with the Silver and Black on Sunday!

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Motivated Game 9 College Money-Maker

Friday, Nov 05, 2021

We’ve reached the stretch run of the college football season and there are some teams out there that need to make a serious move.  The goal of every program is to qualify for a postseason bowl game.  Those extra practices at the end of the year really help with the development for the next football season. With that thought in mind, I turned to my database to see what I could find.  It takes six wins to be considered for a bowl game and I immediately took a look at those squads that were at the .500-mark through nine games.  At 4-4 SU and with four games remaining, it was my belief that a victory in this spot was extremely important.  Thankfully, my thought process was right on the money and my college football database didn’t let me down.  Take a look at this awesome fast-developing discovery: Since 1993, PLAY ON any game nine host that holds a 4-4 SU record provided their opponent arrives off a straight up loss and carries a pointspread won/loss percentage of .501 or better.  28-Year ATS Record = 36-10 ATS for 78.2 percent  This Week’s Plays = MEMPHIS and WYOMING  The Tigers and Cowboys hold 4-4 SU marks through eight games and both schools are lined up against an opponent that enters off a straight up loss.  Memphis is playing an SMU team that just got beat at Houston while Wyoming is battling Colorado State bunch that just got smacked by Boise State.  The Mustangs hold a pointspread won/loss percentage of .545 and the Rams hold an ATS mark of .571 which means all of the needed criteria has been met. Good luck with Memphis and Wyoming on Saturday!

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College Football's Sweet Snowman System

Friday, Oct 29, 2021

When I was on the links, I never really cared for the dreaded snowman.  For those of you that didn’t play golf, a snowman is a slang term players use for a score of eight on any individual hole.  Let me tell you, when I first started hacking away, the snowman and I were really good friends. Thankfully, game eight in the college football season has been much kinder in a sports wagering way.  With the help of my college football database, the same one that was featured in the December 13th, 2010, issue of the ESPN Insider magazine, I’ve been able to isolate and profit from a number of late season technical sets that have performed very well.  Here is a unique game eight situation that has been extremely profitable.  Take a look: Since 1980, PLAY ON any college football game eight team that holds a 4-3 SU record provided they enter off two or more straight up wins and are currently lined up against a conference foe that owns a team won/loss percentage of .500 or better.  41-Year ATS Record = 66-30 ATS for 68.7 percent  This Week’s Plays = TROY STATE, WISCONSIN, and LA-MONROE (ULM)  There are a couple of additional parameters that can be added to this general system that really make it pop.  If our “play on” side is running with revenge and priced as a favorite or an underdog of +14 or less, this Sweet Snowman System tightens up to a spectacular 28-6 ATS for 82.3 percent.  Last year, the Badgers (-1) visited Iowa City and dropped a 28-7 decision to the Hawkeyes.  This season, UW is a -3.5-point home favorite over Iowa, and it fits this exclusive situation perfectly.  (Troy State is priced at +19 and ULM is at grabbing +27.5 so they don’t apply.) The Badgers will use the strength of this Sweet Snowman System and “jump around” to a huge win early on Saturday afternoon.  Good luck with Wisky this week!

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Time To Get A Move On

Friday, Oct 22, 2021

With the college football season at the halfway point or just past, there are a number of teams still stuck in limbo.  Time becomes a commodity for these squads still trying to get over the hump.  And, as we inch closer to November, the window for success starts to close and that means a number of programs need to make a move. When doing my research for the upcoming college card, I decided to take a look at those schools that found themselves in a must win situation.  It was my opinion that teams playing their seventh game of the season fit that criteria if they owned a 3-3 SU record.  At that specific stage, the last thing any program wants to do is drop to 3-4 SU with a loss especially when a victory pushes them to 4-3 SU and on a much better path. Thankfully, with the help of my college football database, the same one that was featured in the December 13th, 2010, issue of the ESPN Insider magazine, I’ve been able to isolate and profit from a number of early season technical sets that have performed very well.  Here is a game seven system that has been money.  Take a look: Since 1980, PLAY ON any game seven high-priced favorite of -12 or more provided they hold a 3-3 SU record provided their opponent carries a team won/loss percentage of .500 or less. 41-Year ATS Record = 73-44-3 ATS for 62.3 percent  This Week’s Play = MISSISSIPPI STATE  Off last Saturday’s embarrassing 49-9 home loss to the Crimson Tide, the Bulldogs find themselves with a 3-3 SU mark on the season and staring at home game against a ranked UK team on deck.  Head coach Mike Leach’s kids don’t want to go into that battle against the Wildcats with a 3-4 SU record and they will do whatever it takes to beat up on a Commodores bunch that busts in with a 2-5 SU mark and off last week’s heart-breaking road loss to the Gamecocks. There are a couple of parameters than can be added to this general system that really makes it pop.  If both teams enter this contest without confidence off straight up losses, this situation tightens up to a rewarding 29-12 ATS.  As stated, Mississippi State takes the field off their 40-point home loss to Alabama and Vanderbilt arrives off its one-point road loss at South Carolina which means the Bulldogs fit this tightener perfectly. MSU is looking to get a move on.  Good luck with the Bulldogs on Saturday.

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The Rich Keep Getting Richer

Friday, Oct 08, 2021

Momentum.  Keep that word etched into your memory if you’re thinking about placing a wager on any sport.  When a team is hot, give them the buy sign.  If they’re not, simply shy away. I took that simple train of thought and applied it to this week’s college card.  At first, I was looking to see how some college football teams did off back-to-back SU and ATS wins.  From there, with the help of my college football database, the same one that was featured in the December 13th, 2010, issue of the ESPN Insider magazine, I focused on those squads that achieved their success as favorites in both, dogs in each game, and as a favorite and an underdog.  The best of what I discovered can be found in this week’s System of the Week – The Rich Keep Getting Richer.  Take a look. Since 1980, PLAY ON any home favorite priced at -10 or more, if they are coming off a road war, provided they won and covered their last two contests as double-digit favorites.  41-Year ATS Record = 107-57-4 ATS for 65.2 percent  This Week’s Play = OHIO STATE  The Buckeyes finally got their money train on the right track.  Two weeks ago, Ohio State (-48.5) did just enough to cover the number against Akron.  Last Saturday, head coach Ron Day and his kids were a -15-point road favorite at Rutgers and cashed easily 52-13.  This week, OSU is laying -21 at home against Maryland and that means the Buckeyes are locked into this lucrative technical situation. There is one special parameter that can be added to this general system that really increases its profitability.  If our “play on” host destroyed the Las Vegas pointspread by double-digits last, this system tightens up to an eye-popping 70-27-2 ATS for 72.1 percent.  Last Saturday, OSU was a -15-point favorite at Rutgers and won by 39 points.  The Buckeyes smashed the Las Vegas number by 24 points in that victory which means they fit this tightener perfectly. Good luck with the Buckeyes on Saturday.

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NFL's Early Season Division Tank Job

Friday, Sep 24, 2021

With our System of the Week checking in off a tough loss on the War Eagle in college football last Saturday, we’ll flip over to the NFL on Sunday armed with a September situation that has been money in the bank over the years. As stated before, with the help of my pro football database, the same one that was featured in the December 13th, 2010, issue of the ESPN Insider magazine, I’ve been able to isolate and profit from a number of early season technical sets that have performed very well. This particular situation was discovered when I was researching how well teams did in their first NFL division game.  There’s not much to it.  But it certainly packs a nice financial punch.  Take a look at what I like to call the NFL’s Early Season Division Tank Job. Since 1980, PLAY AGAINST any game three division favorite or underdog of +6.5 or less provided they check in off a straight up road loss and opened the regular season with back-to-back non-division games.  41-Year ATS Record = 33-8 ATS for 80.4 percent  This Week’s Play’s = LA CHARGERS & PITTSBURGH  Off a pair of non-division battles and a straight up road loss, the knee-jerk reaction would likely be to play on this specific team thinking they would be motivated to bounce back especially if they are lined up against a division opponent.  In reality, the exact opposite happens.   Kansas City enters its game against Los Angeles off a non-division home win over Cleveland and a non-division road loss at Baltimore.  Meanwhile, Cincinnati checks into its battle against Pittsburgh off a non-division home win over Minnesota and a non-division road loss at Chicago.  The means the Chiefs and Bengals fit this negative wagering situation perfectly. There is one tighener that can be added to the general system that really makes it pop.  As long as out “play against” side did not lose to the Las Vegas pointspread by double-digits in their last game – so a line differential of -9 or less – this situation drops to a jaw-dropping 2-24 ATS!  Both Kansas City and Cincinnati apply. Good luck with the Bolts and Men of Steel on Sunday! 

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College Football's Game 3 Non-Conference Superdog

Friday, Sep 17, 2021

In last week’s System of the Week, we found some success with Vanderbilt (+6’) over Colorado State (WON OUTRIGHT 24-21) and we’ve got another nice underdog situation on tap for Saturday. With the help of my college football database, the same one that was featured in the December 13th, 2010, issue of the ESPN Insider magazine, I’ve been able to isolate and profit from a number of early season technical situations that have performed very well.   The unique system you will find below is no different.  It backs a team that has busted out of the gate impressively and now finds itself in the role of an underdog.  There is also a special parameter that can be added that makes it even more profitable.  Take a look at what I like to call, “College Football’s Game 3 Non-Conference Superdog.” Since 1980, PLAY ON any game three non-conference underdog priced at +28 or less provided they check in off back-to-back blowout victories of 20 points or more and neither team is rested.  41-Year ATS Record = 39-16-2 ATS for 70.9 percent  This Week’s Play = AUBURN  The War Eagle (+6) heads to Happy Valley off a pair of season-opening wins over Akron by the final of 60-10 and Alabama State by the margin of 62-0.  On the other side of Beaver Stadium, the Nittany Lions take the turf off their 44-13 blowout home win over the Ball State Cardinals.  Neither team is rested and that means AU fits this general system perfectly. There is one additional tightener that can be added that really make this system pop.  If our “play on” pup carried a team won/loss percentage less than .725 a year ago, then this Game 3 Non-Conference Super Dog system jumps to a highly profitable 35-6-1 ATS for 85.7 percent.  Last year, the Tigers posted a 6-5 SU overall record for a win percentage of .545 and they qualify for this special tightener. Good luck with the War Eagle on Saturday.  

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College Football's Game Two Powerful Pooch

Friday, Sep 10, 2021

As a professional handicapper, it takes two or three games before you truly get a feel for how good (or bad) a team might be in any given year.  That’s why the Team Stryker College Football Database has been our hero early in the season.   One thing we are able to do with our elite computer program is isolate specific game numbers.  This particular system takes a look at a couple of college teams that check in off their season opener.  Over the years, we have discovered that the second game of the year can be one of the most profitable.  Depending on how well a team gets out of the gate, or stutters, can really have an effect on how they perform in week two.  Take a look at this money-maker that we like to call “College Football’s Game Two Powerful Pooch.” Since 1980, PLAY ON any game two competitive road underdog priced at +13.5 or less that is not off a blowout win of 10 points or more provided they are matched up against a game two opponent that arrives without steam off a double-digit straight up loss.  41-Year ATS Record = 39-13 ATS for 75.0 percent  This Week’s Play = VANDERBILT  The Commodores enter this non-conference battle off a shocking 23-3 home loss to East Tennessee State in their season opener and they’ll be looking to bounce back against a Colorado State squad that arrives off a stunning 42-23 home loss of its own to South Dakota State.  There is one way to make this technical situation even more profitable.  If our “play against” side is not off a crushing defeat of 24 points or more (so off a blemish between 10 and 23 points), this system cruises to a jaw-dropping 26-3 ATS for 89.6 percent and is quietly on a sensational 20-0 ATS run in that tightener over the past 24 years. Coming off perhaps their worst loss in program history, ‘Dores new head coach Clark Lea will use the strength of this Game Two Powerful Pooch system to give the Rams a game on Saturday.  Good luck with Vandy this week.  TS

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College Football's Early Season Difficult Encore

Friday, Sep 03, 2021

It’s never easy handicapping college football games in the first few weeks of the season.  Aside from the knowledge of what key starters are returning, it usually takes a battle or two in order to determine the true pulse of a team.With the help of my college football database, the same one that was featured in the December 13th, 2010 issue of the ESPN Insider magazine, I’ve been able to isolate and profit from a number of early season technical situations that have performed very well.  In September, I will be sharing a few of those with you that have churned a respectable profit.Usually, in the first few games of the season, momentum can be a solid tool when it comes to picking pointspread winners.  This issue’s System of the Week goes against the grain.  Take a look at what I like to call, “College Football’s Early Season Difficult Encore.”Since 1980, PLAY AGAINST any game two non-conference underdog priced at +10.5 or more provided they take the field of battle off a blowout home win of 10 points or more provided they won seven games or less a year ago.41-Year ATS Record = 108-72-1 ATS for 60.0 percentThis Week’s Play’s = OREGON & USCWhen college football teams check in off impressive performances early in the season, the “buy” sign is usually shining bright.  In this situation, it appears to be turned off.  The fact that this team only won seven games or less last year likely means they’re still a work in progress.  (Last year, in a shortened season, Fresno State went 3-3 SU and San Jose State finished 7-1 SU.  The argument could be made that the Spartans would have won more than seven games in 2020 and that would push SJS out of this system.)There is one situation that can be added to this general system that really makes it pop.  If our “play against” side is battling an opponent that won eight games or less a season ago, this system falls to an eye-popping 28-59-1 ATS.  Last year, Oregon won six games and USC tasted victory in five battles.  Unfortunately, it was a rare COVID-19 season in 2020 and the Ducks only competed in seven total contests and the Trojans fought in only six.  Even though the tightener applies, we’ll consider it with a grain of salt.Still, Fresno State and San Jose State are locked into this general negative situation this week and we’ll look to play against the Bulldogs and Spartans.  Best of luck with the UO and the Men of Troy.  

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NFL System of the Week - Monday Night Football

Thursday, Oct 29, 2020

MONDAY NIGHT NFL ROAD WARRIORAnytime you see a Monday night home dog, the knee-jerk reaction is to jump all over it.  From 1980 to 2000, teams in this simple situation owned a profitable 66-39 ATS record for 62.8 percent.  In case you haven’t been paying attention, that “old school” situation has hit the skids.  Since 2001, NFL Monday night home pups are on a dismal 47-62 ATS run for 43.1 percent and it’s time for investors to think differently. When I approached the Team Stryker Database this week,  I decided I wanted to flip things around.  Instead of looking at these home dogs, I decided to analyze how effective road favorites were under the Monday night lights.  At first, there wasn’t much.  Then I stumbled across the following money-making situation.  Check out this beauty: Since 1980, PLAY ON any Monday night road favorite priced at -3 or more provided their opponent arrives off a straight up loss and owns a team won/loss percentage of .334 or less.40 Year ATS Record = 40-17-1 ATS for 70.1 percent This Week’s Play = TAMPA BAYThis is a basic set of parameters that really turned a nice profit.  It’s simply a good road team favored over a lesser opponent that takes the field without confidence off a straight up loss. There is one way to make this primetime system even better.  If our “play on” guest owns a pointspread won/loss percentage less than .630 – so they’re not a covering machine – this Monday Night NFL Road Warrior situation tightens up to a lucrative 30-7 ATS including a jaw-dropping 21-1 ATS if their opponent arrives off a competitive loss of 13 points or less.  The Buccaneers fit both of those money-making parameters. Forget about the Monday night home dog.  It’s not clicking any more.  Instead, lay the lumber with Tom Brady and the Bucs on Monday night and ride this new awesome system home.

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2020 NCAA Football: Fast-developing Trends in the Covid-era

Wednesday, Oct 07, 2020

As a college football nation, we are obviously fighting through a very difficult time.  There are limited (or no) fans in the stands, an abundance of testing and several concerns floating around every college team on a weekly basis.  Until the man upstairs decides to bless us with a vaccine or a weakening of this ugly virus, we’ll be forced to adapt our handicapping styles and conform to what may, or may not, be working at the time.The Team Stryker Database has been a lifesaver this football season.  What would normally take hours to research, is available at the click of a button in a matter of seconds.  Earlier this week, I created a COVID-19 set of games and tried to find money-making opportunities within them.  All results listed are from kickoff of the 2020 season through Wednesday, October 7th. PLAY AGAINST any 2020 college favorite priced at -4 or more if they are playing a conference opponent.2020 Record = 33-13-1 ATS for 71.7 percent PLAY AGAINST any 2020 college team if they take the field off a SU and ATS win.2020 Record = 20-10 ATS for 66.7 percent PLAY AGAINST any 2020 college favorite priced at -11 or more.2020 Record = 34-16 ATS for 68.0 percent PLAY AGAINST any 2020 college guest provided they arrive with momentum off a straight up win.2020 Record = 20-8 ATS for 71.4 percent PLAY ON any 2020 college football home dog if they are battling a conference foe.2020 Record = 17-5-1 ATS for 77.2 percent As you can see from the results listed above, the dogs are barking this football season.  Of course, it’s early.  These are simply trends that have developed out of the gate.  As teams progress through the year and offenses and defenses mature, these technical situations will likely change.  The results are certainly interesting and definitely worth noting at least for now. Next week, I’ll be back with a look at what’s working during these COVID-19 times in the NFL.  Best of luck as always men!

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NCAA Football Handicapping: Game 2 Hangover

Tuesday, Aug 04, 2020

Season openers in college football are never easy to handicap.  Unlike the NFL, there are no exhibition games.Some analysts will argue that the second game of the year is even more difficult.  There is a tendency to either overreact or underreact to a teams’ performance in their opener.  Personally, I believe college teams are never as good (or as bad) as they’ve looked in their first game and their true ability to play likely rests somewhere in between.It would be difficult to argue the point that conference games in a season opener take on a greater level of importance.  Losing your first game of the season would be tough.  Dropping that battle to a conference foe would make the beating even worse.Wondering if there was any value in taking (or fading) a team coming off a conference war in their season opener, I turned to the Team Stryker Database  and found an excellent wagering situation that is worth noting.  Here it is:  Since 1980, PLAY AGAINST any college football home underdog or favorite of -19 or less in their second game of the year provided they opened against a conference foe and their opponent is competing in their second game.39 Year ATS Record = 64-37 ATS for 63.3 percentIt makes perfect sense.  Off an emotional battle against a conference foe in their season opener, our host struggles to match that intensity in their second game of the year.  There are a couple of parameters that can be added to this technical situation that really make it pop.  If our “play against” home team is NOT going into revenge and is facing a foe that is NOT off a blowout win of seven points or more, this system drops to a shocking 9-30 ATS.  Good luck, as always,Tom Stryker

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