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 124
(4) Tennessee vs. (8) Maryland
How Tennessee Got Here: 31-10 win over (13) Ball State, 23-21 win over (5) Arizona State, 54-17 win over (1) Oklahoma State, 43-13 win over (2) Cincinnati
How Maryland Got Here: 35-13 win over (9) Air Force, 37-31 win over (1) Alabama, 33-14 win over (5) Florida, 34-29 win over (7) Texas Tech
Maryland has been the team of destiny throughout this tournament, upsetting some of the very best.
Quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa has been simply immaculate. This game comparatively was not quite his best performance, but it was still suitable. Tagovailoa finished 24-for-36 passing with 277 yards and two touchdowns.
Neither team was able to get much going on the ground. Tennessee back Jabari Small led all rushers with 51 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. Tayon Fleet-Davis led the Terrapins on the ground with just 31 yards on 11 carries.
Through the air for the Volunteers, quarterback Hendon Hooker was able to go 23-for-33 with 310 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception.
This seemingly marginal benefit in efficiency was integral, as the Volunteers held on to a late 28-21 lead.
Backed up to its own goal line, Tagovailoa was not able to find anyone on three consecutive plays. Facing 4th-and-10, Tagovailoa was sacked in his own end zone, icing this game.
The clock strikes midnight for the Cinderella Terrapins.
The Volunteers win a close one to get to the Final Four, ensuring two SEC teams will be in the Final Four. Tennessee wins 30-21 and Rocky Top is being played on repeat — all night long in Knoxville.
In 100 simulations, Tennessee won 63 by an average margin of 30.5-26.1.
With Maryland losing, the Big Ten’s title hopes land squarely on the shoulders of Michigan. The Wolverines will face fellow No. 1 seed Oklahoma in the final game of this round.
Winner’s Next Matchup: Winner of (1) Michigan vs. (1) Oklahoma
Tomorrow’s Matchup: (2) Utah vs. (4) Oregon
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, TCU, UAB, Marshall, USC, San Diego State, California, UCF, Washington State, Pittsburgh, Oregon State, Florida State, Baylor, NC State, Louisiana, Ole Miss, Michigan State, Auburn, SMU, Wake Forest, Miami, Western Kentucky, Purdue, Arizona State, Hawaii, Kentucky, Kent State, Kansas State, UCLA, Appalachian State
ROUND 3
Iowa, Florida, Ohio State, Mississippi State, Houston, Boise State, Oklahoma State, BYU, Iowa State, LSU, North Carolina, Fresno State, Wisconsin, Georgia State, Virginia, Memphis
ROUND 4
Penn State, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Coastal Carolina, Arkansas, Notre Dame, Cincinnati, Clemson
ROUND 5
Texas, Maryland
REMAINING TEAMS BY CONFERENCE:
American: 0/11 (last remaining was No. 2 Cincinnati, eliminated Day 120)
ACC: 0/14 (last remaining was No. 1 Clemson, eliminated Day 121)
Big 12: 1/10 (highest remaining: 1. Oklahoma)
Big Ten: 1/14 (highest remaining: 1. Michigan)
Conference USA: 0/14 (last remaining was No. 6 Western Kentucky, eliminated Day 89)
Independents: 0/7 (last remaining was No. 1 Notre Dame, eliminated Day 119)
MAC: 0/12 (last remaining was No. 13 Kent State, eliminated Day 94)
Mountain West: 0/12 (last remaining was No. 7 Fresno State, eliminated Day 109)
Pac-12: 2/12 (highest remaining: 2. Utah)
SEC: 2/14 (highest remaining: 1. Georgia)
Sun Belt: 0/10 (last remaining was No. 6 Coastal Carolina, eliminated Day 117)