Chapter 32. Using Solver to Rate Sports Teams

  • Can I use Excel to set NFL point spreads?

Many of us follow basketball, football, hockey, and baseball. Bookmakers set point spreads on games in all these sports and others. For example, the bookmakers’ best guess was that the Pittsburgh Steelers would win the 2006 Super Bowl by three points. (Boy, did the Colts choke in the divisional round! Of course, the Colts redeemed themselves by winning the 2007 Super Bowl.) How can you use Microsoft Office Excel 2007 to come up with team "ratings" that generate reasonable point spreads?

Using a simple Solver model, you can generate reasonable point spreads for teams based on the scores of the 2005 season. (Playoff games for this season occurred in 2006). ...

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