3rd Down Analysis Podcast

On today’s episode of the 3rd Down Analysis Podcast, I break down 3 key numbers from BYU’s victory over Arizona. Then, I transition to discussing BYU’s Road to the Big 12 Title Game. 00:00 - 03:40 - 3 Key Observations from the BYU vs Arizona game that speak to positive trends for BYU 03:40 - 09:27 - 3 Numbers about BYU’s defense that make you say “wow!” 09:27 - 13:50 - What were some qualitative observations about BYU’s offense? 13:50 - 14:20 - Almost Pun Read 14:20 - 16:17 - Why It’s not productive to talk about CFP scenarios at this point of the season 16:17 - 22:57 - BYU’s Road to the Big Title Game The mission with the 3rd Down Analysis podcast is to give you deeper, data-driven perspectives that go beyond the surface level. I do the heavy lifting so that you can listen and enjoy the game more on Saturdays. Data come from the creators at sportsdataverse and @cfbfastr. If you enjoy the content, please like and subscribe to the channel. And share with a friend! ————————— Trap Bass Music by Nver Avetyan from Pixabay

On today’s episode of the 3rd Down Analysis Podcast, I sit down with Alex Hymas for his articulate and thoughtful perspective on BYU, the Big 12, and CFB at large. 00:00 - 04:50 - How are our BYU Hot Takes from the summer performing? 04:50 - 08:45 - How did everyone miss on BYU being good? 08:45 - 15:00 - What do you do to keep Jay Hill? 15:00 - 15:20 - Pun Read 15:20 - 23:30 - What is BYU’s ceiling? 23:30 - 30:00 - How parity in the Big 12 impacts our inability to determine who is good 30:05 - 34:40 - How does the SEC and Big 10 compare to the Big 12? 34:40 - 58:16 - Why the Transfer Portal and NIL are the best thing to happen for parity in CFB The mission with the 3rd Down Analysis podcast is to give you deeper, data-driven perspectives that go beyond the surface level. I do the heavy lifting so that you can listen and enjoy the game more on Saturdays. Data come from the creators at sportsdataverse and @cfbfastr. If you enjoy the content, please like and subscribe to the channel. And share with a friend! ————————— Trap Bass Music by Nver Avetyan from Pixabay

On today’s episode of the 3rd Down Analysis Podcast, I discuss 5 questions after BYU’s 5-0 start and I also preview the BYU vs Arizona game. 00:00 - 00:50 - Welcome to the Pod 00:50 - 03:00 - Question 1 - Should we readjust expectations? 03:00 - 07:26 - Question 2 - How many more games can BYU win? 07:26 - 11:50 - Question 3 - What is the most impressive part of this team? 11:50 - 15:03 - Question 4 - Can Jake Retzlaff keep this up? 15:03 - 19:45 - How did we miss BYU being 5-0? 19:45 - 36:19 - How can BYU beat Arizona? The mission with the 3rd Down Analysis podcast is to give you deeper, data-driven perspectives that go beyond the surface level. I do the heavy lifting so that you can listen and enjoy the game more on Saturdays. Data come from the creators at sportsdataverse and @cfbfastr. If you enjoy the content, please like and subscribe to the channel. And share with a friend! ————————— Trap Bass Music by Nver Avetyan from Pixabay

On today’s episode of the 3rd Down Analysis Podcast, I discuss what success looks like for BYU in 2024. Then, I finish, in rapid fire style, my BYU Opponent Preview series. 00:00 - 14:20 - What does success look like for BYU in 2024? 14:20 - 22:12 - Rapid Fire BYU Opponent Preview The mission with the 3rd Down Analysis podcast is to give you deeper, data-driven perspectives that go beyond the surface level. I do the heavy lifting so that you can listen and enjoy the game more on Saturdays. If you enjoy the content, please like and subscribe to the channel. And share with a friend! Data come from @cfbfastr ————————— Trap Bass Music by Nver Avetyan from Pixabay

On today’s episode of the 3rd Down Analysis Podcast, I continue my BYU Opponent Preview series with a data-driven deep dive into the Arizona Wildcats, BYU’s third Big 12 opponent. I walk through the 30,000 foot view of the Arizona program. I preview the key stories on their offense, and then the key stories on the defense. Arizona is experiencing significant changes between a new coaching staff and entrance into a new conference. Then, I pivot and talk about Keanu’s Hill to Tight End and why I think it is such a great move. 00:00 - 01:20 - Welcome on into the Podcast 01:20 - 11:29 - The 30,000 foot overview of Arizona’s program 11:29 - 21:10 - Previewing Arizona’s Offense — Can BYU stop Noah Fifita? 21:10 - 25:41 - Previewing Arizona’s Defense — Can they repeat their good performance from last year? 25:41 - 29:45 - 3 reasons why I like Keanu Hill’s shift to Tight End 29:45 - 31:51 - Does BYU have a true #1 WR on the roster? The mission with the 3rd Down Analysis podcast is to give you deeper, data-driven perspectives that go beyond the surface level. I do the heavy lifting so that you can listen and enjoy the game more on Saturdays. Data come from @cfbfastR If you enjoy the content, please like and subscribe to the channel. And share with a friend! ————————— Trap Bass Music by Nver Avetyan from Pixabay

On today’s episode of the 3rd Down Analysis Podcast, I start the BYU Opponent Preview series with a data-driven deep dive into the Baylor Bears, BYU’s second Big 12 opponent. I walk through the 30,000 foot view of the Baylor program. I preview the key stories on their offense, and then the key stories on the defense. I walk you through more data than I can possibly fit into one episode and highlight where Baylor may be vulnerable to defeat at the hands of the Cougars. Then, I pivot and address a concern that I have about the BYU WR position, “Is there a true #1 WR on the roster?” 00:00 - 02:15 - Welcome on into the Podcast 02:15 - 14:25 - The 30,000 foot overview of Baylor’s program 14:25 - 18:05 - Previewing Baylor’s Offense — What should BYU fans be aware of? 18:05 - 19:25 - Previewing Baylor’s Defense — Where are they vulnerable and what do they need to fix? 19:25 - 20:00 - Pun Read (not currently sponsored so I need to fill the voids with something fun) 20:00 - 29:45 - Deep Dive into the data for Baylor (standard box score & advanced metrics) 29:45 - 35:12 - Does BYU have a true #1 WR on the roster? The mission with the 3rd Down Analysis podcast is to give you deeper, data-driven perspectives that go beyond the surface level. I do the heavy lifting so that you can listen and enjoy the game more on Saturdays. If you enjoy the content, please like and subscribe to the channel. And share with a friend! ————————— Trap Bass Music by Nver Avetyan from Pixabay

On today’s episode of the 3rd Down Analysis Podcast, I start the BYU Opponent Preview series with a data-driven deep dive into the Kansas State Wildcats. I walk through the 30,000 foot view of the Wildcat program. I preview the key stories on their offense, and then the key stories on the defense. I walk you through more data than I can possibly fit into one episode. Then, I pivot briefly and answer the questions, “Which conference has the best quarterback room in the country? Would the Big 12 win the Gold Medal for best quarterbacks in the country?” 00:00 - 00:40 - Welcome on into the Podcast 00:40 - 16:00 - The 30,000 foot overview of Kansas State’s program 16:00 - 21:40 - Previewing Kansas State’s Offense — What should BYU fans be aware of? 21:40 - 23:13 - Previewing Kansas State’s Defense — Hint - they are going to be really good. 23:13 - 38:00 - Deep Dive into the data for Kansas State (standard box score & advanced metrics) 38:00 - 45:16 - Does the Big 12 have the best quarterback room in the country? The mission with the 3rd Down Analysis podcast is to give you deeper, data-driven perspectives that go beyond the surface level. I do the heavy lifting so that you can listen and enjoy the game more on Saturdays. If you enjoy the content, please like and subscribe to the channel. And share with a friend! ————————— Trap Bass Music by Nver Avetyan from Pixabay

On this episode of the 3rd Down Analysis Podcast, I dive into BYU's Path to a Bowl Game in 2024. Highlights 🏈 BYU needs to win key games against Southern Illinois, Wyoming, Arizona State, and Houston to secure a bowl game. 🏟️ Baylor and Kansas are crucial matchups where BYU must capitalize on potential bad luck for their opponents. 🌟 UCF and SMU present challenging games where BYU must aim for surprise victories. 💪 Arizona’s adjustment to a new conference and coaching changes may give BYU a chance for a win. 🏆 BYU’s ability to secure six wins hinges on good health, good fortune, and taking advantage of the opportunities. 📅 BYU's schedule is better for a team competing to win the Big 12 title rather than for a team competing to get to a bowl game. If you enjoy the content, please like and subscribe to the channel. ————————— Trap Bass Music by Nver Avetyan from Pixabay

On today’s episode of the 3rd Down Analysis Podcast, I sit down with guest Ben Dennett. Ben did a deep dive on the history of the College Football Playoff along with a simulation of how the playoff and at-large bids could look this year. It’s a phenomenal view into some of the chaos that could ensue and debates that will take place amongst fans of college football come early December. 00:00 - 03:30 - Welcome on into the Podcast 03:30 - 06:40 - What is the cutoff for number of teams in the playoff? 06:40 - 23:15 - What does the 4-team playoff history tell us about what to expect in the 12-team playoff? 23:15 - 29:24 - How should Notre Dame be treated in the 12-team playoff? Should they get an automatic qualifier? 29:24 - 30:25 - Pun Read 30:25 - 40:01 - What do the CFP Rankings tell us about what to expect for each conference in the 12-team playoff? 40:01 - 56:35 - Ben’s simulation of what the 2024 CFP picture could look like. It could be ripe with controversy. 56:35 - 01:00:19 - The big question - How many spots will each conference get in the 2024 CFP? The mission with 3rd Down Analysis is to give you deeper, data-driven perspectives that go beyond the surface level content that is aplenty. I do the heavy lifting so that you can listen and enjoy the game more on Saturdays. If you enjoy the content, please like and subscribe to the channel. And share with a friend! If you enjoy more written and other content, please see 3rddownanalysis.com. Feel free to reach out at [email protected] ————————— Trap Bass Music by Nver Avetyan from Pixabay

On today’s episode of the 3rd Down Analysis Podcast, I sit down with guests Alex Hymas and Spencer Cornett. We get creative in our Big 12 naming rights. In other words, we give our pitches to Brett Yormark. 00:00 - 02:30 - Welcome on into the Podcast 02:30 - 03:30 - Pun Read 03:30 - 14:48 - Creative Big 12 Names 14:48 - 20:10 - Is anything off limits for marketing? 20:10 - 39:10 - What concerns about private equity in college football are getting overblown? 39:10 - 59:33 - BYU Hot Takes The mission with 3rd Down Analysis is to give you deeper, data-driven perspectives that go beyond the surface level content that is aplenty. I do the heavy lifting so that you can listen and enjoy the game more on Saturdays. If you enjoy the content, please like and subscribe to the channel. And share with a friend! If you enjoy more written and other content, please see 3rddownanalysis.com. Feel free to reach out at [email protected] ————————— Trap Bass Music by Nver Avetyan from Pixabay

On today’s episode of the 3rd Down Analysis Podcast, I do a simple exercise of ranking BYU’s scheduled games in 2024 from easiest to hardest. Hint, the hardest games may not necessarily be against the best teams. 00:00 - 01:10 - Welcome on into the Podcast 01:10 - 01:35 - Pun Read 01:35 - 04:25 - Game #12 04:25 - 06:00 - Game #11 06:00 - 08:40 - Game #10 08:40 - 10:32 - Game #9 10:32 - 13:02 - Game #8 13:02 - 15:17 - Game #7 15:17 - 16:18 - Game #6 16:18 - 19:00 - Game #5 19:00 - 20:20 - Game #4 20:20 - 23:45 - Game #3 23:45 - 26:05 - Game #2 26:05 - 28:21 - Game #1 The mission with 3rd Down Analysis is to give you deeper, data-driven perspectives that go beyond the surface level content that is aplenty. I do the heavy lifting so that you can listen and enjoy the game more on Saturdays. If you enjoy the content, please like and subscribe to the channel. And share with a friend! If you enjoy more written and other content, please see 3rddownanalysis.com. Feel free to reach out at [email protected] ————————— Trap Bass Music by Nver Avetyan from Pixabay

On today’s episode of the 3rd Down Analysis Podcast, I look long-term at the Colorado Buffaloes and how they could be an immensely valuable asset for the Big 12 in the future. Brett Yormark may have landed a sleeping giant when he lured the school away from the Pac-12. The departure of Oklahoma and Texas leaves the Big 12 without a Tier 1 brand. A Tier 1 brand is a Top 10 brand that you have little doubt would get into the CFP. So what is the Big 12 to do? Enter Colorado and Coach Prime. Understandably, Colorado needs to win. Full stop. But, if they do start winning and winning in a big way, then you could be looking at one of the major brands in college football so long as Coach Prime is on the Saturday Sidelines in Boulder, Colorado. 0:00 - 2:08 - Welcome on in to the Pod 2:08 - 2:35 - Pun Read (in place of ad reads) 2:35 - 9:35 - The growing value of brand in college football 9:35 - 12:30 - How does the Big 12 regain a Tier 1 brand? 12:30 - 13:10 - Second pun read 13:10 - 25:10 - Deion’s impact on viewership (Key 1 to building a national brand) 25:10 - 32:54 - Deion’s impact on recruiting (Key 2 to building a national brand)  Deion’s and Colorado’s potential for bringing immense value in the future If you enjoy the content, please like and subscribe to the channel.  If you enjoy more written and other content, please see 3rddownanalysis.com. Feel free to reach out at [email protected] ————————— Trap Bass Music by Nver Avetyan from Pixabay

On today’s episode of the 3rd Down Analysis Podcast, I dive into the Colorado Buffaloes and how they need to improve. All signs, and statistics, point to their deep need for improvement on the line of scrimmage. Both sides of the ball need to improve dramatically if Colorado is to contend for a bowl game. I walk you through three ways they need to improve and share some stats and info that help you understand how bad they were in 2023 on the line of scrimmage. 0:00 - 1:35 - Welcome on in to the Pod 1:35 - 2:10 - Pun Read (in place of ad reads) 2:10 - 3:15 - Introduction to the three things that Colorado needs to do 3:15 - 7:26 - (1) How bad was Colorado at protecting the QB? 7:26 - 10:00 - (2) How bad was Colorado’s defensive line? 10:00 - 13:30 - (3) How bad was Colorado in the run game? If you enjoy the content, please like and subscribe to the channel.  If you enjoy more written and other content, please see 3rddownanalysis.com. Feel free to reach out at [email protected] ————————— Trap Bass Music by Nver Avetyan from Pixabay

On today’s episode of the 3rd Down Analysis Podcast, I welcome my friend and special guest Alex Hymas into the program. Alex is a seasoned Operations and Analytics leader who also has a passion for college football. Alex shares his thoughts on what the SEC and Big Ten should do regarding staying connected to the rest of college football. 0:25 - Welcoming in special guest Alex Hymas 1:15 - Do you think the SEC and Big Ten should break off? 5:30 - Would the networks want to pay a premium for the SEC and Big Ten while continuing to pay for other conferences? 10:05 - The theory that every program thinks they have a chance at the beginning of the season and how money and TV networks impact 12:15 - Why do people like blue bloods and following them? 13:00 - What happens to each blue bloods’ brand once you have a super league of only blue bloods? 19:05 - What does Alex think about a tiered system when it comes to the on-the-field product? 23:00 - Would the latest push for a 70 + 10 relegation system be the solution to college football’s future? If you enjoy the content, please like and subscribe to the channel.  If you enjoy more written and other content, please see 3rddownanalysis.com. Feel free to reach out at [email protected] ————————— Trap Bass Music by Nver Avetyan from Pixabay

In this fun episode where Danny goes through a hypothetical College Football Power 2 situation, he lays out who he believes would be in the Power 2 if college football ends up with two conferences who completely exclude themselves from the rest of the country. He breaks all FBS schools up into 6 tiers and goes through which schools he thinks would be in and which would be on out the outside looking in. Key Timestamps: 2:30 - How am I defining the Power 2 for this conversation, and how I am not 5:05 - The concept of tiering schools and how I went about it 10:00 - The 6 Tiers in which I group the schools 11:55 - Tier 1 schools 15:15 - Tier 2 schools 24:45 - Tier 3 schools 29:30 - Tier 4 schools 35:30 - Tier 5 schools 43:15 - Tier 6 schools For more content like this, like and subscribe to the podcast, and go to 3rddownanalysis.com. To submit feedback or questions, reach out to [email protected]. Music by Nver Avetyan from Pixabay ("Trap Bass")

In this episode, Danny walks through his predictions for the BYU Cougars football season in 2024. He gives a few high level thoughts, describes what success should look like, and then he goes through each game. For more content like this, go to 3rddownanalysis.com and subscribe to the podcast. For questions or to interact with the creator, reach out to [email protected]

In this episode, Danny dives deep into 4 defensive metrics from BYU's 2023 season. He talks about what they mean, why they are important, and how BYU can improve in 2024. These metrics include traditional box score metrics like sacks while going a level deeper. They also include advanced metrics like defensive success rate. Play by play data are also included in metrics like explosive passing plays allowed. For more content like this, go to 3rddownanalysis.com and subscribe to the podcast. For questions or to interact with the creator, reach out to [email protected] Background Music by Oleg Fedak from Pixabay

In this episode, Danny covers his predictions for the Baylor Bears for 2024. He covers a few high level thoughts, dives into some metrics that stood out from the 2023 season, and then covers what he thinks success looks like for the Bears. Then, he dives into game-by-game predictions. For more content like this, like and subscribe, and go to 3rddownanalysis.com.

In this episode, Danny covers some Never Too Early season predictions for the Arizona State Sun Devils for 2024. He covers three thoughts about the program coming into the year. Then, he talks about what success should look like for the Sun Devils in 2024. Then, he dives into their schedule and briefly walks through each matchup. You can find more of this content at 3rddownanalysis.com. Feel free to send any thoughts or questions to [email protected].

In this episode of the 3rd Down Analysis (3DA) podcast, Danny goes through 3 macro thoughts about the Arizona program coming into the 2024 season. Then, he talks about what success should look like for the Wildcats in 2024. Lastly, he goes through his game by game predictions as part of his "Never Too Early" predictions. You can find more content like this at 3rddownanalysis.com