Photo courtesy of Ohio 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 69
(1) Ohio State vs. (9) Illinois
How Ohio State Got Here: 66-7 win over (16) Florida International
How Illinois Got Here: 20-17 win over (8) Washington
Much like in Illinois’ matchup against Washington, the offense did not really do much.
Quarterback Brandon Peters was 10-for-20 for 70 yards.
Running back Joshua McCray had 53 yards on 18 carries.
The Buckeyes held Illinois to less than 200 total yards of offense.
Ohio State, on the other hand, could not be slowed down.
Quarterback CJ Stroud was 25-for-35 with 361 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception.
Running back Treveyon Henderson had 83 rushing yards on 16 carries.
Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba followed up his nine reception, 232-receiving yard, and four-touchdown day with a seven-reception, 118-receiving yard day.
Ohio State dominates this one for 60 minutes. Ohio State wins, 37-3.
In 100 simulations, Ohio State won 97 of them by an average margin of 46.6-12.3.
Winner’s Next Matchup: Winner of (4) Oregon vs. (5) Kansas State
Tomorrow’s Matchup: (1) Michigan vs. (9) TCU
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, Virginia Tech
ROUND 2
Toledo, Alabama, Illinois
REMAINING TEAMS BY CONFERENCE:
American: 5/11 (highest remaining: 2. Cincinnati)
ACC: 8/14 (highest remaining: 1. Clemson)
Big 12: 8/10 (highest remaining: 1. Oklahoma, 1. Oklahoma State)
Big Ten: 8/14 (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: 1/12 (highest remaining: 13. Kent State)
Mountain West: 3/12 (highest remaining: 5. Boise State)
Pac-12: 8/12 (highest remaining: 2. Utah)
SEC: 10/14 (highest remaining: 1. Georgia)
Sun Belt: 5/10 (highest remaining: 5. Appalachian State)