Photo courtesy of Oklahoma State 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 9
(1) Oklahoma State vs. (16) Rice
As Josh Pate says, “never lose to food”.
Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders took that advice to heart by throwing for 350 yards and three touchdowns with an 80% completion rate. Running back Jaylen Warren also added 102 rushing yards of his own.
The Cowboys’ leading receiver was Rashod Owens with three receptions, 89 yards, and one receiving touchdown.
So, the Cowboys were strong offensively, but Rice also performed fairly well offensively.
For starters, its leading rusher, Cameron Montgomery averaged 10 yards per carry with 50 yards and a rushing touchdown.
Quarterback Jake Constantine also added 260 passing yards and two touchdowns. Unfortunately for the Owls, Constantine did throw three interceptions, which did Rice in.
Rice performed well, but Oklahoma State performed much better. Oklahoma State wins, 44-27.
In 100 simulations, Oklahoma State won 92 of them by a margin of 31.4-11.6.
That should be good news for Oklahoma State fans to know that in a large sample, the defense is not as susceptible as the first simulation would appear.
Winner’s Next Matchup: Winner of (8) USC vs. (9) Boston College
Tomorrow’s Matchup: (1) Clemson vs. (16) Vanderbilt
Updated Bracket
Teams Lost, In Order:
PLAY-IN
Massachusetts, Connecticut
ROUND 1
Akron, New Mexico State, Florida International, Temple, New Mexico, Bowling Green, Rice
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: 14/14 (highest remaining: 1. Georgia, 1. Alabama)
Sun Belt: 10/10 (highest remaining: 5. Appalachian State)