Photo courtesy of Iowa 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 34
(4) Iowa vs. (13) Colorado State
Both offenses struggled to find consistent production, even though a modest 47 points were scored.
Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras was probably the player of the game with his effort. He finished 23-for-34 with 237 passing yards, and two passing touchdowns.
Running back Tyler Goodson was the leading rusher and leading receiver for the Hawkeyes, with 124 total yards.
Colorado State struggled to find a receiver other than tight end Trey McBride.
On passes targeted at McBride, quarterback Todd Centeio was 12-for-13 with 113 yards. On passes not targeted at McBride, Centeio was 13-for-33 with 131 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Iowa did not have its best day, but it was enough to get past the Rams. The Hawkeyes win, 30-17.
In 100 simulations, Iowa only won a moderate amount of times — 68. It won by an average of 23.3-17.
Winner’s Next Matchup: Winner of (5) Appalachian State vs. (12) North Texas
Tomorrow’s Matchup: (5) Appalachian State vs. (12) North Texas
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, Buffalo, Troy, Colorado State
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: 7/14 (highest remaining: 6. Western Kentucky)
Independents: 4/7 (highest remaining: 1. Notre Dame)
MAC: 7/12 (highest remaining: 9. Toledo)
Mountain West: 8/12 (highest remaining: 5. Boise State)
Pac-12: 11/12 (highest remaining: 2. Utah)
SEC: 13/14 (highest remaining: 1. Georgia, 1. Alabama)
Sun Belt: 5/10 (highest remaining: 5. Appalachian State)