Photo courtesy of BYU 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 42
(5) BYU vs. (12) Colorado
This one was an all-time instant classic.
Colorado running back Jarek Broussard gave the Buffaloes a 6-point lead with his go-ahead rushing touchdown.
After a pair of 3-and-outs, BYU had one final chance, down 16-10. It would have to drive the length of the field and score a touchdown.
On the first play of the last drive, BYU receiver Gunner Romney had his first and only catch of the game — a 60-yard gain.
Quarterback Jaren Hall found Samson and Puka Nacua each for a pair of 15-yard receptions.
On Colorado’s 7-yard line, BYU had four tries to get into the end zone with 21 seconds and three timeouts.
On first down, Hall rolled out to his right and had to throw the ball away. 13 seconds left.
On second down, Hall looked for a heavily guarded Romney, which fell incomplete. Eight seconds left.
On third down, Hall looked for Puka Nacua, but Hall just overthrew him. Two seconds left.
On fourth down, Hall had trouble finding anyone. Rolling to his right, he saw running back Tyler Allgeier slip out to the left. The Buffalo defense all followed Hall, leaving Allgeier alone.
Hall hit Allgeier, tying the game with no time left on the clock.
Kicker Jake Oldroyd makes the decisive extra point to give BYU the 17-16 victory in an instant classic.
Colorado quarterback Brendon Lewis was 17-for-30 passing with 225 yards.
Running back Jarek Broussard had 72 rushing yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.
Hall finished 19-for-30 passing with 198 yards and two touchdowns.
Allgeier finished with 112 rushing yards on 12 carries. He also added five receptions, 38 receiving yards, and what turned out to be the game-winning touchdown.
BYU won 82 of the 100 simulations by an average of 25.3-13.7.
Winner’s Next Matchup: (4) Purdue
Tomorrow’s Matchup: (6) Western Kentucky vs. (11) Wyoming
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
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: 7/12 (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)