Photo courtesy of Marshall 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 61
(8) Nevada vs. (9) Marshall
Marshall had a clear game plan — run as many plays as possible.
Quarterback Grant Wells threw the ball 56 times. Running back Rasheen Ali ran the ball 17 times.
The rest of the Marshall offense combined for an additional 13 rushes.
That’s 86 total plays that the Marshall offense ran.
For reference, the leader in plays per game during the 2021 football season was Wake Forest at 81.4.
Wells would complete 39 of his passes for 369 yards and two touchdowns.
Nevada quarterback Carson Strong also threw for a couple touchdowns. Strong finished with 302 passing yards on 22-for-32 passing.
Ali finished with 104 yards for the Thundering Herd.
Nevada running back Toa Taua carried the ball 10 times for 49 yards.
The most dynamic threat in this game was Nevada receiver Melquan Stovall.
Stovall had 131 receiving yards and a touchdown on four catches.
Marshall was able to move up and down the field with a bit more consistency. Ultimately, the Thundering Herd are going to thunder on to the next round. Marshall wins, 23-14.
In 100 simulations, Marshall won 57 of them by an average margin of 30-26.8.
Winner’s Next Matchup: (1) Notre Dame
Tomorrow’s Matchup: (8) UAB vs. (9) South Carolina
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
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: 3/7 (highest remaining: 1. Notre Dame)
MAC: 2/12 (highest remaining: 9. Toledo)
Mountain West: 4/12 (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)