Photo courtesy of SMU 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 46
(6) SMU vs. (11) Miami University
This game had a nice offensive output. Over 1,100 yards were totaled and 69 total points were scored.
Miami quarterback Brett Gabbert was 23-for-40 with 305 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. It was a strong day for the RedHawk signal caller.
Not to be outdone, SMU quarterback Tanner Mordecai was 34-for-47 with 425 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception.
The leading receiver for the game was SMU’s Danny Gray. Gray caught six passes for 94 receiving yards.
The leading rusher was SMU’s Tre Siggers. Siggers had 99 rushing yards on 13 carries.
SMU ran for 131 yards more than Miami — a large reason for the difference in the score.
With a quick passing attack, the Mustangs are able to take an early lead. With a consistent rushing attack, the Mustangs are able to put this one away. SMU wins, 45-24.
In 100 simulations, SMU wins 81 of them by an average of 36.9-22.8
Winner’s Next Matchup: (3) Arkansas
Tomorrow’s Matchup: (6) Coastal Carolina vs. (11) Indiana
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
REMAINING TEAMS BY CONFERENCE:
American: 7/11 (highest remaining: 2. Cincinnati)
ACC: 13/14 (highest remaining: 1. Clemson)
Big 12: 9/10 (highest remaining: 1. Oklahoma, 1. Oklahoma State)
Big Ten: 10/14 (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: 5/12 (highest remaining: 9. Toledo)
Mountain West: 6/12 (highest remaining: 5. Boise State)
Pac-12: 9/12 (highest remaining: 2. Utah)
SEC: 13/14 (highest remaining: 1. Georgia, 1. Alabama)
Sun Belt: 5/10 (highest remaining: 5. Appalachian State)