Fanalytix: Iowa State 38, Baylor 31
- Thread starter ChrisMWilliams
- Start date
- Mar 27, 2006
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Legends say that if we beat Texas, the Fanalytix graph will open a Stargate to Ancient Egypt
I mean that’s interesting, but that’s about it. The point of a chart is to make raw data easier to consume. This graphic does the reverse- it actually makes it more difficult.
I understand why you might think that. It does seem like there is a lot going on. However, I find that it shows the flow of the game in a very simple, almost elegant manner. I can make observations immediately with ease that are harder to make from a regular drive chart (and I like regular drive charts).
I love me some infographics, I do. It would help immensely if there was was some visual queue to immediately identify this is set up as a clock. Just add some simple text outside the ring to identify each quadrant as Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4? And the drive directional arrows I completely missed the first few times looking. Those could use a completely different color.
Now for the biggest head scratchers of mine:
- In the center of the ring, why is there a state of Iowa icon above the Baylor score?
- And what is the icon above the Iowa State score?
....Now I want to see one of these for the K State game in Rhoads final season.
chuckle...that can sure do it! Actually, I looked at the chart that he did for KU and it looked so confusing that I just casually examined it and then gave up. When I took a look at this one it then began to make more sense. Then after studying it a bit more it finally all fell into place. It's really just a drive chart that's arranged in a circle rather than being linear. Without getting into the details of the chart information, it shows the drive length for both distance and time by the amount of color for each team.
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As someone already mentioned, it is easier to see flow of the game. You immediately see the depth (yards) and duration (time) of each drive. The result (score, turnover, punt) are not as evident. The amount of red immediately tells me we controlled time of possession (breadth of drives). ISU drives were drawn out while BU had more quick scores. The length of the red sections tells me that we got first downs on almost every drive (looks like 2 drives were 3 and out or turnover in 3 plays or less) all in first 22 minutes of game.
To me, this looks like:
1. A map of Iowa with an indicator for Ames, thus showing where the game was played.
2. A visual representation of the outline of Jack Trice Stadium when viewed from above?
I don't think that is true unless I am not understanding what you mean. ISU scored TDs in the second, third and fourth quarters. All of them are represented by reaching the perimeter of the ring. Baylor scored TDs in the first, second and fourth quarters. All of them are represented by reaching the interior limit of the ring.
It took me a while to figure it out - partly because I was working with such a small image. But as I started to figure out the details it started to make more and more sense and it became more useful.
Every time I look at it I discover another detail I missed. Like the little turnover icons are placed where on the field the turnover occurred - like the Rose interception is in the end zone despite the Baylor drive not getting that far.
Every time I look at it I discover another detail I missed. Like the little turnover icons are placed where on the field the turnover occurred - like the Rose interception is in the end zone despite the Baylor drive not getting that far.
You're right. I now notice, after you mentioned that, that there are little gray arrows at the beginning of each drive. Very hard to see at the posted resolution (more noticable on the graph that Chris first posted). All of our arrows are pointed toward the outer ring and all of Baylor's arrows are pointed toward the inner ring, just as you say. Now I'll have to go back and look at that graph again with that new information!
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I assume the three little circles in the middle are team comparisons of rushing yards, passing yards and (?)penalty yards. Why is there more green for penalty yards though? Didn't ISU gain many more yards through penalty than Baylor? Why would you put this one as yards lost through penalty rather than yards gained through penalty? Do I have what that third circle represents wrong?
Good lord, its not that hard to understand if you spend a few minutes looking at it. Its just another way to visualize data. It's not terribly useful for me because I don't care about that level of detail with a game, but I suppose if it's a choice between this and a table full of numbers give me this. There are definitely trends you can see quickly and intuitively that don't pop out when staring at raw numbers. That's why we find different ways to visualize data.
