Photo courtesy of Maryland 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 65
(8) Maryland vs. (9) Air Force
Much like the other option teams, ESPN’s Football Power Index and ncaagamesim.com’s rankings greatly differ for Air Force.
Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa was able to carve up Air Force’s defense. He was 23-for-36 with 352 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception.
Running back Challen Faamatau was dynamic, posting a stat line of nine carries for 77 yards.
Wide receiver Dontay Demus was an explosive threat with two receptions for 136 yards, and two touchdowns.
It was incredibly challenging for Air Force to keep up with the likes of that offense.
Quarterback Haaziq Daniels was 7-for-12 with 69 yards and an interception.
The Falcons’ leading rusher was DeAndre Hughes, who ran for 56 yards on 10 attempts. Air Force finished with 187 rushing yards on 36 carries.
Air Force could not keep up with Maryland’s explosive output. Maryland wins, 35-13.
In 100 simulations, Maryland won 90 of them by an average of 36.9-16.5.
Winner’s Next Matchup: (1) Alabama
Tomorrow’s Matchup: (8) Virginia Tech vs. (9) Toledo
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, North Texas, Eastern Michigan, Northwestern, Northern Illinois, Florida Atlantic, Stanford, Tulane, Colorado, Wyoming, Middle Tennessee, Rutgers, Miami University, Indiana, Louisville, Georgia Tech, East Carolina, West Virginia, Central Michigan, Missouri, Syracuse, Tulsa, Western Michigan, Utah State, Liberty, UTSA, Boston College, Nevada, South Carolina, Army, Washington, Air Force
REMAINING TEAMS BY CONFERENCE:
American: 5/11 (highest remaining: 2. Cincinnati)
ACC: 9/14 (highest remaining: 1. Clemson)
Big 12: 8/10 (highest remaining: 1. Oklahoma, 1. Oklahoma State)
Big Ten: 9/14 (highest remaining: 1. Ohio State, 1. Michigan)
Conference USA: 3/14 (highest remaining: 6. Western Kentucky)
Independents: 2/7 (highest remaining: 1. Notre Dame)
MAC: 2/12 (highest remaining: 9. Toledo)
Mountain West: 3/12 (highest remaining: 5. Boise State)
Pac-12: 8/12 (highest remaining: 2. Utah)
SEC: 11/14 (highest remaining: 1. Georgia, 1. Alabama)
Sun Belt: 5/10 (highest remaining: 5. Appalachian State)