Glossary
Got questions about the terms used in the blog? Check out the glossary to find definitions and examples. Still have questions? Send us a message! We're always looking to improve the content and readability of our posts - your question may lead to improved definitions or better examples.
Advanced CFB Statistics
All basic statistics are pulled from ESPN's game logs. Advanced statistics are retrieved from a real-time database, collegefootballdata.com, with additional filtering and calculations performed as needed for comparison purposes, ie. calculating percentile for EPA against all FBS teams to give meaning to an otherwise difficult to understand number.
DB Havoc
Percentage of plays where the defense either defended or intercepted a pass.
Expected Points (EP)
Assigns point values to field positions based on down, distance, and yard line. A negative value means the opponent is expected to score next.
Expected Points Added (EPA)
Uses EP to measure play impact by calculating the change in EP from the start to end of a play.
Explosiveness
Average EPA on successful plays. Uses the site's custom PPA model.
EPA/PPA (Predicted Points Added): How many expected points a single play is worth, compared to what you were expected to score before the snap.
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If 1st & 10 at your own 25 is typically worth, say, 1.0 expected points, and after the play you’re at 1st & 10 at your own 45 (usually worth 1.8), that play’s PPA is +0.8.
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CFBD uses its own PPA model (same idea as EPA), which bakes in down, distance, yard line, etc.
Successful plays: Plays that “win the down.” The usual success rule of thumb is:
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1st down: gain ≥ 50% of yards to go
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2nd down: ≥ 70%
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3rd/4th down: 100% (convert)
CFBD filters the game log to only these plays when computing Explosiveness. So CFBD’s Explosiveness asks: “When you do succeed on a play, how big is it on average in terms of expected points?”
Why it's useful:
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It separates how often you succeed (Success Rate) from how much it’s worth when you do (Explosiveness).
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Offense: Higher is better — your “wins” tend to be chunkier or more valuable.
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Defense: Lower is better — even when the opponent wins a down, you keep the damage small.
Garbage Time
When one of the following is true:
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Lead > 38 points in 2nd quarter
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Lead > 28 points in 3rd quarter
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Lead > 22 points in 4th quarter
Games can occasionally exit garbage time if extreme comebacks occur.
Havoc
Percentage of plays where the defense recorded a TFL, forced a fumble, intercepted, or broke up a pass.
Line Yards
Estimates rushing yards attributable to the offensive line using weighted yardage:
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Losses: 120%
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0–4 yards: 100%
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5–10 yards: 50%
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11+ yards: 0%
Open Field Yards
Average yards per carry gained more than 10 yards beyond the line of scrimmage.
Passing Downs
Defined as 2nd down with 7+ yards to go or 3rd/4th down with 5+ yards to go.
Power Success
Percentage of short-yardage runs (≤2 yards on 3rd/4th down or inside the 2-yard line on 1st/2nd) converted to a 1st down or touchdown.
Scoring Opportunities
All offensive drives that cross the opponent’s 40-yard line.
Second Level Yards
Average yards per carry gained between 5 and 10 yards beyond the line of scrimmage.
Standard Downs
All downs that are not Passing Downs.
Success Rate
Measures play efficiency. A play is considered successful if it:
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Results in a touchdown
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Gains ≥50% of yards needed on 1st down
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Gains ≥70% of yards needed on 2nd down
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Gains 100% of yards needed on 3rd/4th down
Stuff Rate
Percentage of rushing plays stopped at or behind the line of scrimmage.