Blue Ribbon College Yearbook;
Fesit Workbook Helpful to Football Bettors
By Howard Schwartz

There are dozens of college football magazines now available for those who are either fans of the game or bettors, preparing for the 2001 season, but what may be the most important resource of all, has now arrived at Gambler's Book Shop-the Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook (2001 edition)(384 pages, paperbound, 8x11, $2l.95).

Edited by the legendary Chris Dortch, also noted for his work on the basketball version of this significant work, the football edition offers a complete analysis of all 115 Division I-A schools; including 11 major conferences and all important independents.

Here's how the material is arranged, using Oklahoma as an example.

You can find number of offensive and defensive starters returning. Then the book moves to the Coach and Program (Bob Stoops) and what he did right last season and what he looks forward to doing this season. The team's schedule follows; then there's a look at quarterbacks, including an analysis of the impact of the departure of Josh Heupel and who his possible successor might be.

There's an examination of running backs (no fullbacks are listed on the Sooner spring roster); wide receivers and tight ends; the offensive line; kickers (there's a dandy in Tim Duncan, vying for the Lou Groza kicking award); the defensive line (there's potential for one of the best in team history); linebackers (watch out for Rocky Calmus, consensus All-American, one of the nation's best); defensive backs; punters; special teams; recruiting class (a banner year); and the final Blue Ribbon analysis rating offense; special teams and defense. Overall, the analysis is that Oklahoma has the potential to be even better than last year.

This is as good as it gets in evaluating college teams' strengths and weaknesses, of providing the capability in highlighting, outlining key players and watching them as they prepare for the season.

Jim Feist's 2001 Football Workbook (Pro and College) (303 pages, 8x11 spiralbound, $39.95) is unique in that you're about to see instantly how one team did against all 2001 opponents. For example, looking at Kansas State, you suddenly see they're facing New Mexico State Sept. 22. This is a Kansas State home game. But it's a rare matchup-just how many times have these teams faced off in the past decade?

Feist shows you by indicating they've met twice previously, in 1992 when they were favored by 21 but won only 19-0 and failed to cover. A year later they met again, with K-State favored by 21 and they won and covered by a 34-10 final score.