Photo courtesy of Georgia 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 3
(1) Georgia vs. (16) Akron
For a matchup between the actual national champions and a 2-10 MAC team, this one was closer than anticipated.
Akron quarterback Zach Gibson was incredibly efficient. He threw for 160 yards in an 18-for-23 performance — a 78.3% completion percentage.
Running back Jonzell Norrils added 35 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown on 12 attempts.
Despite no turnovers, Akron was only able to create 16 total points for itself.
Georgia, on the other hand, was able to turn its drives into touchdowns more frequently.
Quarterback Stetson Bennett IV was 23-for-33 passing, with 318 yards and three touchdown passes.
Wide receiver Jermaine Burton was the biggest beneficiary of those passing yards. Burton surpassed the 100-yard mark with his four-reception, 111-yard performance.
Running back Zamir White also had 59 rushing yards and a touchdown on his 12 carries to wrap this game up.
The final score here was Georgia 34, Akron 16
After 100 simulations, Georgia had won all 100 of them by an average score of 50.7-9.
To get a win for Akron, it took an additional 18 simulations. By that point, Georgia was outscoring Akron by a margin of 61-10.5.
Winner’s Next Matchup: Winner of (8) Virginia Tech vs. (9) Toledo
Tomorrow’s Matchup: (1) Alabama vs. (16) New Mexico State
Updated Bracket
Teams Lost, In Order:
Play-In
Massachusetts, Connecticut
Round 1
Akron
REMAINING TEAMS BY CONFERENCE:
American: 11/11 (highest remaining: 2. Cincinnati)
ACC: 14/14 (highest remaining: 1. Clemson)
Big 12: 10/10 (highest remaining: 1. Oklahoma, 1. Oklahoma State)
Big Ten: 14/14 (highest remaining: 1. Ohio State, 1. Michigan)
Conference USA: 14/14 (highest remaining: 6. Western Kentucky)
Independents: 5/7 (highest remaining: 1. Notre Dame)
MAC: 11/12 (highest remaining: 9. Toledo)
Mountain West: 12/12 (highest remaining: 5. Boise State)
Pac-12: 12/12 (highest remaining: 2. Utah)
SEC: 14/14 (highest remaining: 1. Georgia, 1. Alabama)
Sun Belt: 10/10 (highest remaining: 5. Appalachian State)