THE POWER RANK

Podcast: Mike Goodman on soccer analytics, Euro 2021

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On this episode of The Football Analytics Show, I’m joined by Mike Goodman, Senior Soccer Editor at CBS and co-host of the Double Pivot podcast.

Among other topics, we discuss:

  • A primer on expected goals, or xG (3:04)
  • The impact of offsides and own goals on xG (10:10)
  • The frontiers of soccer analytics (15:14)
  • Which style of play works best on the international level (18:03)
  • Belgium (24:35)
  • Italy (29:40)
  • Spain (33:25)
  • England (39:40)
  • A surprise team to win Euro (45:00)
  • USMNT (47:08)

Mike is a soccer analytics expert and does an amazing job explaining the concepts.

To listen here, click on the right pointing triangle.

To listen on Spotify, click here.

To listen on Apple Podcasts, click here.

Bracket Wisdom #15: Bracket analysis, Part 2

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I break down the 2021 NCAA tournament bracket by a surprising metric: the preseason AP poll. First, I explain why this poll from months ago still matters.

Then I look at Gonzaga’s potential toughest opponent, the region that might be wide open, and the toughest Round of 32 games for 1 seeds. To listen, click on the right pointing triangle.

To listen on Apple Podcasts, click here.

To download the mp3 file, click here.

Podcast: Drew Martin on predicting college football in 2020

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On this episode of The Football Analytics Show, I’m joined Drew Martin. He’s a sports bettor that appears on many outlets, now including The Power Rank YouTube channel.

Among other topics, we discuss:

  • How Drew’s background as a QB informs his handicapping (2:37)
  • How interceptions impact not only the spread but the total (6:10)
  • Is Auburn in blue blood purgatory? (10:09)
  • Are Cincinnati and Brigham Young good enough for the playoff? (16:05)
  • Liberty at Coastal Carolina (23:28)

I also talk about the strength of college football programs over the past 5 seasons (13:33).

To listen here, click on the right pointing triangle:

To listen on Apple Podcasts, click here.

To check out Drew’s videos on The Power Rank YouTube channel, click here.

Podcast: Kevin Cole on NFL football analytics

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On this episode of The Football Analytics Show, I’m joined by Kevin Cole, a data scientist at Pro Football Focus. Among other topics, we discuss:

  • The metrics Kevin uses to evaluate players and teams (3:05)
  • The new PFF model to predict the NFL MVP, and what this says about Russell Wilson (9:00)
  • Kevin (and my) biggest surprise this NFL season (16:54)
  • Why Kansas City could be even better than last season during their Super Bowl run (19:33)
  • Two surprising teams that could make the playoffs (26:42)

To listen here, click on the right pointing triangle:

To listen on Apple Podcasts, click here.