2012 Drive Charts

[fbsdrivestats]

In the spirit of data sharing, I have put together drive charts for each game between two FBS teams that have been played this season. This excel file has ten sheets for each week that has been played. FIlters for easily sorting the data are already in this file. Before anyone asks, I have highlighted and placed an asterisk next to the drives and possessions that I count as being statistically insignificant. I don't count kick and punt returns for touchdowns because my focus is entirely on offenses and defenses, but that information is posted in this workbook. All anyone has to do access a team's drives for a particular week is select a team in the filter.

I know Marty of cfbstats posts drive data. My intent is not to step on his toes because I genuinely like his site. I just think it's important that I share the information I have compiled because I would like to think that it's potentially useful for someone. 

- Justin

[Marty Couvillon]

The data I've shared holds no special distinction.  I think everyone should feel free to share whatever data they have.

Marty

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[David Fobare]

Very cool. May I ask where you scrape this from?

And those of you who scrape play-by-play: where do you prefer to scrape from? Every source I look at has occasional issues. The need to keep up with the grinding schedule must require a pretty clean and trouble-free source.

On Mon, Nov 5, 2012 at 1:09 AM, fbsdrivestats <fbsdri...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[fbsdrivestats]

I typically use the official statistics posted on sites for individual schools and conferences because I've found that information to be the most accurate. That information isn't without its flaws, but after you look at enough drive charts you start to develop an eye for mistakes that may have been made. 

Drive charts and play-by-play data are available at the official sites for these seven leagues:

• The Big 12
• The Big East
• Conference USA
• The MAC
• The Mountain West
• The WAC

The SEC has links to box scores that feature play data, but they don't show drive data. The ACC, Big Ten, Pac-12, and Sun Belt all clearly have the technology necessary to post box scores featuring drive and play-by-play data. They just don't share that information at their conference sites. The four independents each do a nice job of documenting their football games.

The overwhelming majority of schools post drive data in their box scores. Schools typically release this information faster than conferences do. I hope that helps.

[fbsdrivestats]

I said seven conferences post box scores with drive and play-by-play data. I meant six.

[David Fobare]

Yikes. Gotta be an easier way. Don't like the idea of having to write parsers for 6 different sites AND doing some input by hand.

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[FBS Drive Stats]

My only other suggestion would be to explore the possibility of purchasing the software programs that most schools use to process this information. I know they use the Automated Scorebook software program by Statcrew.com. Some schools may use the software by DakStats too. I don't know the cost of purchasing either program or whether it's possible for people to use either program for their own personal use.

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[David Fobare]

Oh I can write the code. I just don't like the idea of writing 6 parsers, *and* hand editing for the conferences that aren't covered.

6 parsers means 6 potential rewrites every season. I already scarf pages up from DonBest, Covers, ESPN, Yahoo, etc. I get real ornery every time one of those sites tweaks their html. Yeah, I'm looking at you, ESPN.

I guess what I was hoping to learn is how reliable and prompt the updating from NCAA.org is. 2-3 years ago  looked into making them a regular on my Sunday morning rounds and found the place to be pretty hit and miss.

Of course even the NCAA's data isn't 100% complete. Their pbp doesn't have the time remaining at each snap.

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[fbsdrivestats]

I have uploaded more drive data for those interested. (Link) I went ahead and added conference drive stats because there are no more conference games this season. I threw in a schedule containing all FBS games for those interested.

Justin

[fbsdrivestats]

I figured I would let you all know that the drive data from the 2011 season has been uploaded to the Dropbox folder. The data for the 2012 season has also been updated. 

Justin

[fbsdrivestats]

The 2010 drive data has been uploaded. (Link) Hope everyone's new year is off to a great start.

Justin

[fbsdrivestats]

I have finished compiling the 2009 drive data. I have also somewhat redone the files containing the each drive chart in a season. Instead of organizing each drive chart by week, I have just placed them onto one excel spreadsheet with the idea that it would make it easier to retrieve drive data for a particular team. The dropbox folder I have previously linked to has been renamed, so I have to provide a new link in order for everyone to access these files.

I'm going to take a break from compiling drive data for a little while. I just need to take a break from it. I will still occasionally edit these files for the next few months.

Justin

[Matt Mills]

First off, thanks Justin. I think with your drive data and the play-by-play numbers provided by cfbstats we all have plenty of data to play with. However, is anyone else able to access the link provided from Justin? I have had trouble before so I wanted to make sure its not just me. Whenever I click on the link provided, Dropbox tells me the folder does not exist. I just want to see if anyone else has had the same issue. 

Thanks again to everyone who has provided input into the group and I hope each of you are enjoying the off-season. 

-Matt

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Matt Mills

mattm...@gmail.com

(404) 409-5253

[Justin]

Matt,

 

Matt, try this link. I set up another account and got the same thing you were getting. Sorry for the mistake.

 

Justin

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