Photo courtesy of Frisco Bowl
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 59
(8) UTSA vs. (9) San Diego State
This was a matchup that happened during the bowl season. San Diego State was able to beat the Roadrunners by a final score of 38-24.
Fun fact: Fifth Quarter gave press coverage of that contest.
Much like in real life, our MVP vote goes to San Diego State receiver Jesse Matthews.
In the simulation, Matthews had 114 receiving yards and a touchdown on seven receptions.
Quarterback Lucas Johnson was 19-for-30 with 242 yards and two touchdowns.
UTSA quarterback Frank Harris had a similar stat line, throwing for 215 yards and a touchdown on 21-for-32 passing.
Running back Sincere McCormick had 125 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries.
Despite having McCormick this time around, history repeated itself. San Diego State beats UTSA — this time by a score of 23-21.
Even though UTSA lost this one, it won 73 of our 100 simulations by an average margin of victory of 24-16.6.
Just like that, the Conference USA is down to two teams — (6) Western Kentucky and (9) Marshall. Marshall has yet to play in the first round.
Winner’s Next Matchup: (1) Clemson
Tomorrow’s Next Matchup: (8) USC vs. (9) Boston College
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 (OH), Indiana, Louisville, Georgia Tech, East Carolina, West Virginia, Central Michigan, Missouri, Syracuse, Tulsa, Western Michigan, Utah State, Liberty, UTSA
REMAINING TEAMS BY CONFERENCE:
American: 5/11 (highest remaining: 2. Cincinnati)
ACC: 10/14 (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: 3/7 (highest remaining: 1. Notre Dame)
MAC: 2/12 (highest remaining: 9. Toledo)
Mountain West: 5/12 (highest remaining: 5. Boise State)
Pac-12: 9/12 (highest remaining: 2. Utah)
SEC: 12/14 (highest remaining: 1. Georgia, 1. Alabama)
Sun Belt: 5/10 (highest remaining: 5. Appalachian State)