Photo courtesy of Nebraska 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 31
(4) Nebraska vs. (13) Kent State
It’s certainly interesting that ESPN’s Football Power Index had Nebraska listed as a 4-seed.
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez threw for more yards than Kent State quarterback Dustin Crum by a margin of 308 to 213.
But where Crum outperformed Martinez was by not throwing five interceptions. Crum also added 88 rushing yards.
Martinez finished with a stat line of 16-for-30 passing 308 yards, three touchdowns, and five interceptions.
Despite those interceptions, it almost didn’t make a difference.
But the special teams come back to bite Nebraska again. Nebraska kicker Connor Kulp was 0-for-2 on field goals, while Kent State’s Andrew Glass was 4-for-4.
Kent State pulls off the second upset of the tournament, with a narrow 26-21 victory.
If it’s a solace for Nebraska fans, the Cornhuskers won 82 of 100 simulations by a margin of 37.1-23. Those interceptions and special teams blunders were big differentiators.
Winner’s Next Matchup: Winner of (5) Mississippi State vs. (12) Northern Illinois
Tomorrow’s Matchup: (4) Oregon vs. (13) Buffalo
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, Louisiana-Monroe, Texas State, Arkansas State, Charlotte, Southern Mississippi, Ohio, Kansas, Duke, UNLV, Georgia Southern, UTEP, South Alabama, San Jose State, South Florida, Arizona, Old Dominion, Louisiana Tech, Ball State, Minnesota, Navy, Nebraska
REMAINING TEAMS BY CONFERENCE:
American: 8/11 (highest remaining: 2. Cincinnati)
ACC: 13/14 (highest remaining: 1. Clemson)
Big 12: 9/10 (highest remaining: 1. Oklahoma, 1. Oklahoma State)
Big Ten: 12/14 (highest remaining: 1. Ohio State, 1. Michigan)
Conference USA: 6/14 (highest remaining: 6. Western Kentucky)
Independents: 4/7 (highest remaining: 1. Notre Dame)
MAC: 8/12 (highest remaining: 9. Toledo)
Mountain West: 9/12 (highest remaining: 5. Boise State)
Pac-12: 11/12 (highest remaining: 2. Utah)
SEC: 13/14 (highest remaining: 1. Georgia, 1. Alabama)
Sun Belt: 6/10 (highest remaining: 5. Appalachian State)