- Keep your gear with you and use it as much as possible. Your backcountry gear isn’t just for backcountry. It has unlimited uses in everyday life. Never go on a road trip without your pack. You’ll almost always find an opportunity to use your binoculars or GPS unit. If you don’t have your gear with you, you’ll need it – never fails.

- Take great care of your gear. Hopefully you’ve learned this from your parents and not necessarily from experience. Your gear will only take good care of you if you take good care of it. Conversely, your gear will let you down if you don’t take good care of it. That’s a bad situation to be in. Inspect everything before you embark on your adventure. Clean and properly store all of your gear upon your return. Have you check your gear’s straps, fuel, waterproofing, batteries and overall condition lately? Taking good care of your gear is an important part of enjoying your backcountry trip.

- When you’re done with it, donate it – and some of your time - to a local scout troop. They are always looking for assistance from outdoor enthusiasts. You’ll feel great getting this last piece of benefit out of your old trusty gear!

Optimize your time in backcountry. The easiest way ensure maximum outdoor enjoyment is to get most possible value from your gear. Let these 5 ways guide you in getting most out of your backcountry gear – and your backcountry experience. Use this information and you’ll Get It Right The First Time.

Get Outdoors!

Match-up handicapping involves comparing each teams strengths and weaknesses and taking into account any injuries.

Line value is determined by your own set of power ratings to determine what point spread should be. As a courtesy, below I have listed my take on what spread should be as compared to actual spread that Vegas has for this weeks upcoming Top 25 games. Remember, this is only one component of handicapping college football games. Just because there is line value, it doesn't automatically make it a play.

Line Value - 9/23-9/25 Game, Vegas Home Line, Dyer Home Line, Value Miami (4) @ Houston +30 +20.5 Houston 9.5 BYU @ Boise St (21) -22 -14.5 BYU 7.5 Purdue (15) @ Illinois +20.5 +17.5 Illinois 3 Maryland (23) @ Duke NL +5.5 NA Mississippi St @ LSU (13) -29.5 -21.5 Miss St 8 Louisville (22) @ N. Car. +8.5 +4 N. Car 4.5 Air Force @ Utah (14) -21 -21 NA Clemson @ Florida St (11) -17 -17.5 Florida St .5 Syracuse @ Virginia (12) -25.5 -19 Syracuse 6.5 Iowa (24) @ Michigan (18) -13.5 -6.5 Iowa 7 Penn St @ Wisconsin (20) -3 -5.5 Wisconsin 2.5 Kentucky @ Florida (16) -19.5 -14.5 Kentucky 5 USC (1) @ Stanford 21.5 17.5 Stanford 4 Rice @ Texas (5) -33 -21.5 Rice 11.5 La Tech @ Tennessee (8) -23 -16 La Tech 7 N'western @ Minny (19) -15 -10.5 N'western 4.5

When you combine all four facets of handicapping, determining line value and playing on sides where there is value, not betting against smart money, playing on teams in favorable situations that have a definite matchup advantage, you will begin becoming more selective with your plays, avoid bad so-called "trap" games and see your winning percentage increase dramatically. You also will become a more sophisticated handicapper rather than concerning yourself with Top 25 Popularity Poll!

Ron Dyer is a documented professional handicapper. Jump on board and cash in with his other Clients. He has opened up his 2004 College Football season 12-5 (+1314 Units)!

As always, I wish you only good luck this weekend!

Ron Dyer Dyer's Sportsline www.footballjunky.com