Welcome back to the sports news desk. Today, there’s something new brewing in college football fandom and data analysis.
Extra Points—a newsletter that’s earned some respect in the sports community—just rolled out a game called WHO’S THAT FOOTBALL TEAM?. It’s meant to challenge fans’ knowledge of Division I college football by letting them ask YES/NO questions or untangle clues from the computer.
There’s more: Extra Points is also putting together a free video conference chat. Subscribers get a chance to talk with the editorial team, which feels like a pretty cool way to connect.
Introducing WHO’S THAT FOOTBALL TEAM?
Making college football a bit more interactive, Extra Points introduced this game to spice things up. Matt Brown, the creator, pulled together a bunch of data to see just how well fans know their Division I programs.
The game tries to be both fun and a little educational. It’s a fresh way to look at college football, honestly.
Game Mechanics and Features
There are two main ways to play:
- YES/NO Questions: Fire off a series of YES/NO questions to the computer and see if you can zero in on the right team.
- Clue-Based Guessing: Or, you can try to guess the team based on five clues the computer throws at you.
The clues might cover things like:
- FBS/FCS Classification
- Conference Membership
- School Colors
- Stadium Size
- Historical Performance
- Mascot Name
- Historical Coaches
- Bowl Records
- Geography
Right now, the game focuses on FBS and FCS teams. But there are plans to add Division II and III once more data comes in. That should keep things interesting for people who think they’ve seen it all.
Upcoming Free Video Conference Chat
On Thursday, October 30th, Extra Points is hosting a free video conference chat. It’s open to all subscribers—no premium status required.
Matt Brown will be there, along with Kyle Rowland, the new editor of NIL Wire. The idea is to keep things casual, answer questions, and just let people get to know the team a bit better.
What to Expect from the Video Conference
This chat is part of Extra Points’ push to build a real community. Here’s what’s on the table:
- Direct Interaction: Subscribers can talk directly with Matt Brown and Kyle Rowland, ask whatever’s on their mind, and maybe share a few opinions.
- Networking Opportunities: It’s a chance to meet other subscribers and see who else is following along.
- Editorial Insights: Get a peek behind the curtain at how Extra Points and NIL Wire operate, and maybe catch a hint about what’s next.
If you want in, just vote in the poll Extra Points set up. The actual link will come out closer to the day.
The Role of Data in College Football
Matt Brown’s game is a pretty good example of how data is becoming a bigger deal in college football. Using tools like Replit and some Python coding, he managed to put together something that’s both fun and sneakily educational.
Data Points and Their Significance
The game pulls from all sorts of data points to keep things challenging. Here’s why some of them matter:
- Conference Membership: Knowing a team’s conference gives you a sense of their competition and old rivalries.
- Stadium Size: Big stadium? Probably a big fan base and some wild home games.
- Historical Performance: Past wins and losses can say a lot about where a team stands now—or where it might be heading.
Mixing these details into the game makes it more than just a guessing challenge. It’s a way for fans—casual or obsessive—to pick up something new.
Challenges and Future Directions
The game’s already got some traction with subscribers, but there are hurdles ahead. Expanding the data set to include more teams and questions is a lot of work. Matt Brown is still figuring out how to make that process smoother.
Potential Expansions
Looking ahead, there are a few ideas in the works:
- Division II and Division III Teams: Adding these would ramp up the difficulty and keep things fresh.
- Additional Data Points: Stuff like financial data or player stats could add new layers to the game.
- Interactive Features: Maybe more dynamic questions or updates in real time—who knows?
Conclusion
Extra Points keeps shaking things up in college football. With the launch of WHO’S THAT FOOTBALL TEAM? and a free video conference chat on the horizon, there’s a lot to look forward to.
They’re clearly all-in on making things more interactive and fun for fans. There’s a real focus on using data to create cool new ways to connect.
If you’re into college football, you’ll probably want to keep an eye on what’s next. Maybe this is just the beginning for Extra Points.
Curious or want to jump in? Check out Extra Points for more info and ways to get involved.
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