Photo courtesy of Maryland 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 116
(7) Texas Tech vs. (8) Maryland
How Texas Tech Got Here: 58-14 win over (10) Central Michigan, 20-16 win over (2) Baylor, 33-30 win over (6) Virginia
How Maryland Got Here: 35-13 win over (9) Air Force, 37-31 win over (1) Alabama, 33-14 win over (5) Florida
The team of destiny in this tournament thus far has been Maryland. Not only was it the first team to knock off a one-seed, but it also is coming off of a three-possession win over No. 5 Florida.
Against Tech Tech, Terrapins quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa was 21-for-33 passing with 346 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception.
On the other side of the field, Texas Tech quarterback Henry Colombi was 23-for-41 with 309 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.
As for running the ball, the Red Raiders surprisingly reigned supreme.
Running back Tahj Brooks finished with 80 yards on 12 attempts. The Terrapins leading rusher, on the other hand, was Colby McDonald. McDonald finished with 51 yards on five carries.
Perhaps the MVP of this game was Maryland receiver Rakim Jarrett.
Jarrett finished with eight receptions, 139 yards, and the game-deciding 44-yard touchdown with under 30 seconds remaining.
Maryland’s run as the team of destiny continues as the Terrapins punch their ticket to the Elite Eight. The Terps win yet again, 34-29.
In 100 simulations, Maryland won 60 of them by an average margin of 30.3-26.4.
Texas Tech’s loss leaves the Big 12 with just two remaining teams — No. 3 Texas and No. 1 Oklahoma.
Winner’s Next Matchup: Winner of (2) Cincinnati vs. (4) Tennessee
Tomorrow’s Next Matchup: (2) Texas A&M vs. (4) Oregon
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, BYU, Iowa State, LSU, North Carolina, Fresno State, Wisconsin, Georgia State, Virginia, Memphis
ROUND 4
Penn State, Texas Tech
REMAINING TEAMS BY CONFERENCE:
American: 1/11 (highest remaining: 2. Cincinnati)
ACC: 1/14 (highest remaining: 1. Clemson)
Big 12: 2/10 (highest remaining: 1. Oklahoma)
Big Ten: 2/14 (highest remaining: 1. Michigan)
Conference USA: 0/14 (last remaining was No. 6 Western Kentucky, eliminated Day 89)
Independents: 1/7 (highest remaining: 1. Notre Dame)
MAC: 0/12 (last remaining was No. 13 Kent State, eliminated Day 94)
Mountain West: 0/12 (last remaining was No. 7 Fresno State, eliminated Day 109)
Pac-12: 2/12 (highest remaining: 2. Utah)
SEC: 4/14 (highest remaining: 1. Georgia)
Sun Belt: 1/10 (highest remaining: 6. Coastal Carolina)
