Photo courtesy of Arkansas 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 23
(3) Arkansas vs. (14) San Jose State
Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson had an immaculate game. He had as many passing touchdowns as he had incompletions — five.
Jefferson finished with 363 yards, five passing touchdowns, and an interception. He also was leading rusher in the game with 42 rushing yards.
As great of a game that Jefferson had, receiver Treylon Burks would probably be considered the MVP. He tallied eight receptions, 202 receiving yards, and a receiving touchdown.
San Jose State quarterback Nick Starkel struggled to find receivers downfield. He was 19-for-33 with 168 passing yards, a touchdown, and an interception.
Arkansas’ offense is unstoppable. The Razorbacks roll past the Spartans, 48-13.
In 100 simulations, Arkansas won 96 by a 35.1-11.4 margin.
Winner’s Next Matchup: Winner of (6) SMU vs. (11) Miami University
Tomorrow’s Matchup: (3) Wake Forest vs. (14) South Florida
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
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: 9/12 (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)