Photo courtesy of Western Kentucky 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 43
(6) Western Kentucky vs. (11) Wyoming
After this one, Wyoming should feel great about itself for a few reasons.
First, it forced four interceptions from Western Kentucky quarterback Bailey Zappe.
Next, it held the nation’s leader in receptions, Jerreth Sterns, to four receptions for 61 yards.
Finally, it scored 35 points on top of those other factors.
Wyoming quarterback Sean Chambers was 17-for-31 for 263 passing yards and three touchdowns.
Wyoming receiver Isaiah Neyor finished with a game-high 141 receiving yards and caught a touchdown on his five receptions.
Despite Zappe’s four interceptions, he did still have 432 yards and five touchdowns.
Daewood Davis led the Hilltoppers in receiving yards with 98 on three catches.
Despite the interceptions and shutting down Sterns, Wyoming could not slow down Western Kentucky enough to win. Western Kentucky takes this one, 42-35.
In 100 simulations, Western Kentucky won 86 by an average margin of 35-18.3.
Winner’s Next Matchup: (3) Texas
Tomorrow’s Matchup: (6) LSU vs. (11) Middle Tennessee
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
REMAINING TEAMS BY CONFERENCE:
American: 7/11 (highest remaining: 2. Cincinnati)
ACC: 13/14 (highest remaining: 1. Clemson)
Big 12: 9/10 (highest remaining: 1. Oklahoma, 1. Oklahoma State)
Big Ten: 11/14 (highest remaining: 1. Ohio State, 1. Michigan)
Conference USA: 5/14 (highest remaining: 6. Western Kentucky)
Independents: 4/7 (highest remaining: 1. Notre Dame)
MAC: 6/12 (highest remaining: 9. Toledo)
Mountain West: 6/12 (highest remaining: 5. Boise State)
Pac-12: 9/12 (highest remaining: 2. Utah)
SEC: 13/14 (highest remaining: 1. Georgia, 1. Alabama)
Sun Belt: 5/10 (highest remaining: 5. Appalachian State)