Photo courtesy of Oregon 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 54
(7) Oregon State vs. (10) Syracuse
Considering this game saw 5.3 yards per pass play, the fact 37 points were even scored is a bit of a shock.
Oregon State quarterback Chance Nolan was 15-for-23 with 135 yards. Syracuse quarterback Garrett Shrader was 16-for-33 with 160 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.
Syracuse outgained Oregon State by almost 100 yards, but it was Oregon State’s BJ Baylor’s two rushing touchdowns that would prove decisive.
Baylor would finished with 70 rushing yards and a touchdown on 18 carries.
Syracuse running back Sean Tucker was likely moderately proud of his performance — 117 yards on 22 attempts.
Despite being outgained, Oregon State was able to score more points, which is what really matters. Oregon State wins, 24-13.
After 100 simulations, Oregon State won 68 times by an average of 27.5-20.6.
Winner’s Next Matchup: (2) Wisconsin
Tomorrow’s Matchup: (7) Fresno State vs. (10) Tulsa
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
REMAINING TEAMS BY CONFERENCE:
American: 6/11 (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: 4/14 (highest remaining: 6. Western Kentucky)
Independents: 4/7 (highest remaining: 1. Notre Dame)
MAC: 4/12 (highest remaining: 9. Toledo)
Mountain West: 6/12 (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)