Photo courtesy of Michigan 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 21
(3) Michigan State vs. (14) UTEP
Kenneth Walker III might have passed up on the Peach Bowl, but he did not pass on the 128-team simulation.
In fact, he ran for 151 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries.
With 461 passing yards and four touchdowns, quarterback Payton Thorne also had himself a day.
Big-play threat Jalen Nailor only had two receptions, but he was the game’s leader in receiving with 122 yards and a touchdown.
It was not all Spartans, all day, however. UTEP did find the end zone a couple times through the air, with 280 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and an interception.
Soon-to-be Arizona wide receiver Jacob Cowing led the Miners in receiving yards with 107 yards and a touchdown.
UTEP moved the ball well a couple times, but nowhere near enough to compete with the explosive Spartans. Michigan State wins, 58-14.
In 100 simulations, Michigan State win 93 times by an average margin of 37.9-16.2.
Winner’s Next Matchup: Winner of (6) Louisville vs. (11) Georgia State
Tomorrow’s Matchup: (3) Auburn vs. (14) South Alabama
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
REMAINING TEAMS BY CONFERENCE:
American: 10/11 (highest remaining: 2. Cincinnati)
ACC: 13/14 (highest remaining: 1. Clemson)
Big 12: 9/10 (highest remaining: 1. Oklahoma, 1. Oklahoma State)
Big Ten: 14/14 (highest remaining: 1. Ohio State, 1. Michigan)
Conference USA: 9/14 (highest remaining: 6. Western Kentucky)
Independents: 4/7 (highest remaining: 1. Notre Dame)
Mid-American: 9/12 (highest remaining: 9. Toledo)
Mountain West: 10/12 (highest remaining: 5. Boise State)
Pac-12: 12/12 (highest remaining: 2. Utah)
SEC: 13/14 (highest remaining: 1. Georgia, 1. Alabama)
Sun Belt: 6/10 (highest remaining: 5. Appalachian State)