Photo credit: Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee 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 28
(4) Tennessee vs. (13) Ball State
Statistically, this was a great showing for both teams. Ultimately, the final score is a bit wider of a margin than the numbers would lead on.
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker had a completion rate of 68.8% to go with his 315 passing yards and a touchdown.
Ball State quarterback Drew Plitt was efficient as ever, with an 81.8% completion percentage, 228 yards, and a touchdown.
Each team’s leading receiver went over the 100-yard mark. Velus Jones Jr. had six receptions, 104 receiving yards, and a touchdown for the Volunteers, while Jayshon Jackson had nine receptions, 114 receiving yards, and a touchdown for the Cardinals.
Ultimately. it would come down to the rushing attacks.
Ball State running back Carson Steele ran for 94 yards on 22 attempts — a solid day at the office.
Tennessee running back Jabari Small ran for 77 yards on 16 attempts, but he had three rushing touchdowns.
Small’s rushing touchdowns would be the difference in lifting the Volunteers past the Cardinals. Tennessee 31, Ball State 10.
This was a lopsided contest in a sample size of 100, as Tennessee won 99 of them by an average margin of 43.1-10.8.
Winner’s Next Matchup: Winner of (5) Arizona State vs. (12) Tulane
Tomorrow’s Matchup: (4) Minnesota vs. (13) Hawaii
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
REMAINING TEAMS BY CONFERENCE:
American: 9/11 (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: 6/14 (highest remaining: 6. Western Kentucky)
Independents: 4/7 (highest remaining: 1. Notre Dame)
MAC: 8/12 (highest remaining: 9. Toledo)
Mountain West: 9/12 (highest remaining: 5. Boise State)
Pac-12: 11/12 (highest remaining: 2. Utah)
SEC: 13/14 (highest remaining: 1. Georgia, 1. Alabama)
Sun Belt: 6/10 (highest remaining: 5. Appalachian State)