Photo courtesy of Clemson athletics
Introduction
We’ve created a 130-team bracket using ESPN’s FPI as our ranking system.
“But, anyone can create a bracket, how will the games be simulated?” Great question; NCAA Game Sim was used.
For each game on the bracket, the matchup was simulated once and every day a write-up will be done.
For the matchup, player statistics will be simulated and included in the write-ups.
Finally, thanks to the NCAA Game Sim premium membership, we’ll show the results of doing 100 simulations all at once. This is to see if a given result was more towards the expected side or if a given result was more towards the upset or luckier side.
All of the results have been simulated and tabulated, so at the time of writing the introduction, the results are already in.
This is designed to be fun, so please enjoy.
From Georgia to Massachusetts, here’s the 130-team bracket:
Match 10
(1) Clemson vs. (16) Vanderbilt
Fun fact, these teams have only played four times, with the most recent meeting being a 22-20 Vanderbilt victory in 1960. Vanderbilt leads the all-time series, 3-1.
Touchdowns were more plentiful in 1960 than in this simulation. There was one single touchdown in this low-scoring matchup — a touchdown pass from D.J. Uiagalelei to receiver Beaux Collins.
Uiagalelei could have been a little sharper. He had a 51.4% completion percentage and two interceptions.
Freshman running back Will Shipley had a nice day with 69 rushing yards on 11 carries.
Overall, it seemed like Clemson could never quite get out of second gear. Thankfully for the Tigers, Vanderbilt was never able to get out of first gear.
Quarterback Ken Seals was able to outgain Uiagalelei 229 to 156, but Seals also threw an interception of his own.
It was not the most exciting game, but a win is a win for Clemson. The Tigers take this one, 10-6.
Over the course of 100 simulations, Clemson won 84 by an average margin of 26.9-13.2.
Winner’s Next Matchup: Winner of (8) UTSA vs. (9) San Diego State
Tomorrow’s Matchup: (2) Iowa vs. (15) Louisiana-Monroe
Updated Bracket
Teams Lost, In Order:
PLAY-IN
Massachusetts, Connecticut
ROUND 1
Akron, New Mexico State, Florida International, Temple, New Mexico, Bowling Green, Rice, Vanderbilt
REMAINING TEAMS BY CONFERENCE:
American: 10/11 (highest remaining: 2. Cincinnati)
ACC: 14/14 (highest remaining: 1. Clemson)
Big 12: 10/10 (highest remaining: 1. Oklahoma, 1. Oklahoma State)
Big Ten: 14/14 (highest remaining: 1. Ohio State, 1. Michigan)
Conference USA: 12/14 (highest remaining: 6. Western Kentucky)
Independents: 4/7 (highest remaining: 1. Notre Dame)
MAC: 10/12 (highest remaining: 9. Toledo)
Mountain West: 11/12 (highest remaining: 5. Boise State)
Pac-12: 12/12 (highest remaining: 2. Utah)
SEC: 13/14 (highest remaining: 1. Georgia, 1. Alabama)
Sun Belt: 10/10 (highest remaining: 5. Appalachian State)