Photo courtesy of Auburn 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 22
(3) Auburn vs. (14) South Alabama
Auburn’s entire run in this tournament will come down to which Bo Nix it gets on a game-to-game basis.
As for the first round, the above average Nix showed up. He was 24-for-39 with 344 passing yards and three passing touchdowns. Nix also added two rushing touchdowns.
Where South Alabama could’ve gained more benefit was in the run game. Running back Terrion Avery was only able to manage 23 rushing yards on nine carries against the tough Auburn defense.
South Alabama receiver Jalen Tolbert led all receivers with 104 yards on three receptions.
South Alabama is not able to find the end zone and Auburn cruises to a 51-6 victory.
In 100 simulations, Auburn won 97 by a 37.9-12.6 margin.
Winner’s Next Matchup: Winner of (6) Coastal Carolina vs. (11) Indiana
Tomorrow’s Matchup: (3) Arkansas vs. (14) San Jose State
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
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: 8/14 (highest remaining: 6. Western Kentucky)
Independents: 4/7 (highest remaining: 1. Notre Dame)
MAC: 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)