Click Away for Free Picks from the Nations Best   Strike Up the Band -- It's Rivalry Time! - Sept 24, 2003 Big Al McMordie explains how the rivalry factor should be used in handicapping College Football games    One of the reasons many of us love college football is the tradition. There's nothing quite like it, not even in the pros. Schools like Michigan and Notre Dame have been playing football for over 100 years, and there's an electric atmosphere on game day at the stadiums when longtime rivals hook up. This is something to be factored into handicapping, as well. Not all games are created equal. For example, No. 1 ranked Oklahoma plays Iowa State this weekend and Texas after that. Now, which game is more likely to fire up Sooners' fans and players? Which game is going to bring out "win one for the Gipper"-type speeches? It's obvious that an Oklahoma/Iowa State is just another Big 12 game, while the annual Sooners/Longhorns clash is as much a part of college football's long history as Notre Dame/Michigan, Florida/Florida State and USC/UCLA. This doesn't mean that Oklahoma players and coaches will be looking past Iowa State to Texas, although that is possible and happens often. You may have heard professional handicappers use the terms "sandwich game" and "look ahead spots". This is an example of that -- a team that is a huge favorite is "looking ahead" to a game against its hated rival in two weeks, and can be a good go-against depending on the situation or the team's focus (or lack of focus). Homecoming is another situation one must include in his handicapping analysis. Often rivalry games are scheduled on homecoming, which can mean much larger-than-normal crowds for the home team. These rivalry spots are beginning to pop up on the college football schedule, and a smart bettor must think carefully about them. Sometimes it can be a huge factor. Speaking of Oklahoma/Texas, the last three years Oklahoma is 3-0 SU/ATS against the Longhorns, winning all three times as a dog. Bob Stoops out-coached Mack Brown in all those games, including some trick plays and different defensive formations designed especially for the game. Smart coaches will often serve up something special for a rival, or key conference game. Michigan State and Notre Dame have a long, proud football tradition and the two schools often face each other. Some of you may recall the 1966 meeting, when the Irish and Spartans were unbeaten and ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the country in a clash dubbed "the game of the century." Notre Dame, a one-point dog, rallied to tie Michigan State, 10-10 and later claimed the national title. The point is, when those two teams meet -- regardless of the records -- it's not just any other game. Since 1997, Michigan State is 6-1 SU/ATS against Notre Dame, winning five times as a dog, including last week. The Spartans certainly get up to play the Irish. On Saturday I had Michigan State as a 4* play over Notre Dame, and my clients cashed in easily as the big underdog Spartans and coach John L. Smith won straight up, 22-16. Again, make sure you understand such off-field factors as homecoming and rivalry games, because these edges can help you get an edge over the book and line-makers! This looks to be the best weekend of the season yet in both College and Pro Football, and I will have several huge plays including a 5* on Saturday, and another on Sunday. I'm 19-3-1 on my 5* plays in College Football dating back to December 2001, so don't miss this weekend's games. Be sure to check Big Al McMordie's Guaranteed NFL & College Selections Owned and operated by Alliance Sports Media  Any information furnished by this site is for information and entertainment only and is not to be used in violation of any federal, state, provincial or local laws - Privacy Policy Contact Servus - Picks2bet.com