Sports Analytics Research
2025 College Football Playoff Predictions: Monte Carlo Simulation Analysis & CFP Championship Odds
The 12-team College Football Playoff in 2025 brings unprecedented uncertainty to predicting the national champion. Using advanced Monte Carlo simulation models, we analyzed CFP bracket outcomes and championship odds for all playoff teams, including favorites Ohio State, Indiana, Georgia, Texas Tech, and Oregon. With the transfer portal reshaping rosters, NIL deals creating free agency dynamics, and conference realignment redrawing college football's competitive landscape, traditional prediction methods fall short.
Samford Sports Industry Professor’s World Cup Study on American Soccer Fandom Featured in LA Times
Darin W. White, founder of Samford’s Sports Industry Program, is seeking insights on the path professional soccer must take to rival the NFL, NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball in the United States.
Samford Sports Analytics Program Gets ASPA's First U.S. Endorsement
Birmingham, Alabama – September 2, 2025 - Samford University's Brock School of Business has achieved a groundbreaking milestone, becoming the first university in the United States to receive endorsement from the Association of Sports Performance Analysts (ASPA) for its Sports Analytics - Team and Player Performance Track program.
2026 World Cup Study: What Will It Actually Take to Make Soccer Mainstream in America?
For decades, the sports industry has grappled with a persistent question: Despite hundreds of millions of dollars and multiple World Cups on American soil, why hasn't soccer achieved mainstream status in the United States and what will it actually take to make that happen?
Analyzing Growth Patterns and Fan Dynamics Across the American Market
With the United Soccer League's recent announcement regarding promotion and relegation implementation, understanding the behavior of American soccer fans becomes crucial. This report analyzes the evolution of the American fanbase of the English Premier League from 2020 to 2024, examining trends in fan growth, correlations with league performance, and conducting detailed case studies of three notable teams.
Has the Pitch Clock Increased Pitcher Injuries? An Analysis
Beginning with the 2023 season, Major League Baseball introduced the pitch clock as part of a series of rule changes to improve pace of play. While the rule has succeeded in shortening game times, it has also sparked concern about its effect on pitcher health.
