Photo courtesy of Oklahoma 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 105
(1) Oklahoma State vs. (4) Tennessee
How Oklahoma State Got Here: 44-27 win over (16) Rice, 26-23 win over (8) USC
How Tennessee Got Here: 31-10 win over (13) Ball State, 23-21 win over (5) Arizona State
In the interest of professionalism, we’ll be delicate about this.
A can, of sorts, was opened up by Tennessee on Oklahoma State. Again, in the interest of professionalism, we won’t specify which can, but there’s no question that a can was opened.
Quarterback Hendon Hooker was once again the game’s MVP. This superlative was for going 21-for-31 with 336 yards, four touchdowns, and an interception. He also led the Volunteers with 72 rushing yards on 22 carries.
Comparatively, Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders never looked comfortable in the pocket.
He finished 14-for-27 with 130 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Sanders also finished with negative rushing yards — the first time in the tournament this has happened.
Oklahoma State running back Jaylen Warren was pretty efficient, with 73 yards on 11 carries. But by the time he started to get into a groove, Tennessee was already up three scores. By then, the Cowboys needed to take more shots downfield to try to get back into it.
Tennessee hangs a 50 burger against the Cowboys in their contest. The Volunteers win going away, 54-17.
In 100 simulations, Tennessee won 74 of them by an average margin of 29.4-19.3.
Winner’s Next Matchup: Winner of (2) Cincinnati vs. (6) LSU
Tomorrow’s Matchup: (1) Clemson vs. (5) BYU
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, Kansas State, UCLA, Appalachian State
ROUND 3
Iowa, Florida, Ohio State, Mississippi State, Houston, Boise State, Oklahoma State
REMAINING TEAMS BY CONFERENCE:
American: 2/11 (highest remaining: 2. Cincinnati)
ACC: 3/14 (highest remaining: 1. Clemson)
Big 12: 4/10 (highest remaining: 1. Oklahoma)
Big Ten: 4/14 (highest remaining: 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: 1/12 (highest remaining: 7. Fresno State)
Pac-12: 2/12 (highest remaining: 2. Utah)
SEC: 5/14 (highest remaining: 1. Georgia)
Sun Belt: 2/10 (highest remaining: 6. Coastal Carolina)
