Photo courtesy of Mississippi 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 95
(5) Mississippi State vs. (13) Kent State
How Mississippi State Got Here: 41-15 win over (12) Northern Illinois
How Kent State Got Here: 26-21 win over(4) Nebraska
On Day 37, we discussed how stopping Will Rogers and the Air Raid was going to be a team’s best bet at stopping Mississippi State.
So how did Kent State — the Mid-American Conference’s last hope — do?
Considering Will Rogers was 37-for-55 with 401 yards, six touchdowns, and an interception, we’re going to say…not well.
Mississippi State receiver Malik Heath had four receptions, which resulted in 106 yards and three touchdowns.
Kent State’s offense did what it could, but it really got stuck trying to establish the run.
Running back Marquez Cooper only picked up 71 yards on his 28 attempts.
Quarterback Dustin Crum did OK, throwing for 219 yards and a touchdown on 15-for-27 passing.
Mississippi State’s offense was just too overwhelming for Kent State. The Bulldogs win going away, 49-23.
In 100 simulations, Mississippi State won 88 by an average margin of 44.4-22.6.
Kent State’s elimination means there are no more teams from the MAC. It is the second conference to have lost every team, after Conference USA lost Western Kentucky on Day 89.
Winner’s Next Matchup: (1) Michigan
Tomorrow’s Matchup: (4) Oregon vs. (5) Kansas 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, 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, Tulsa, Western Michigan, Utah State, Liberty, UTSA, Boston College, Nevada, South Carolina, Army, Washington, Air Force, Virginia Tech
ROUND 2
Toledo, Alabama, Illinois, TCU, UAB, Marshall, USC, San Diego State, California, UCF, Washington State, Pittsburgh, Oregon State, Florida State, Baylor, NC State, Louisiana, Ole Miss, Michigan State, Auburn, SMU, Wake Forest, Miami, Western Kentucky, Purdue, Arizona State, Hawaii, Kentucky, Kent State
REMAINING TEAMS BY CONFERENCE:
American: 3/11 (highest remaining: 2. Cincinnati)
ACC: 3/14 (highest remaining: 1. Clemson)
Big 12: 6/10 (highest remaining: 1. Oklahoma, 1. Oklahoma State)
Big Ten: 6/14 (highest remaining: 1. Ohio State, 1. Michigan)
Conference USA: 0/14 (last remaining was No. 6 Western Kentucky, eliminated Day 89)
Independents: 2/7 (highest remaining: 1. Notre Dame)
MAC: 0/12 (last remaining was No. 13 Kent State, eliminated Day 94)
Mountain West: 2/12 (highest remaining: 5. Boise State)
Pac-12: 3/12 (highest remaining: 2. Utah)
SEC: 7/14 (highest remaining: 1. Georgia)
Sun Belt: 3/10 (highest remaining: 5. Appalachian State)