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Wharton Moneyball

Wharton Moneyball: NFL Preview, US Open, & MLB Stats

Ep. 115

(Show from 9/5/18) In this episode of Wharton Moneyball our hosts kick off the show looking at sports headlines from the US Open and MLB to college football. Then they talk NFL preseason for the rest of the show giving you their latest predictions, player stats, and much more. Plus they're joined by two pro football experts from Pro Football Focus and Football Outsiders Almanac. Tune in!


Guests:

Nathan Jahnke - Director of Analytics at Pro Football Focus. He started in 2010 as a data collector and now as Director he has developed the methodology of turning the raw grades PFF collects into 0-100 season and game grades as well as some of the statistics used at PFF.

Follow him on Twitter @PFF_NateJahnke


Aaron Schatz - Launched a revolution in football analytics when his website FootballOutsiders.com went online in July 2003. He remains editor-in-chief and head statistician for that website as well as the book series Football Outsiders Almanac. In addition, he writes for ESPN.com Insider and ESPN The Magazine.

Follow him on Twitter @FO_ASchatz


Show:

Sports Headlines (0:00)

NFL Preview w/Pro Football Focus (32:08)

NFL Preview w/Football Outsiders (53:17)

US Open/Moneyball Matchups (1:23:55)

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