Photo courtesy of North Texas 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 35
(5) Appalachian State vs. (12) North Texas
One area where both teams have found consistency over the past few years has been running the ball.
Unfortunately for both teams, running the ball was not a particularly viable strategy.
North Texas leading rusher DeAndre Torrey and Appalachian State leading rusher Camerun Peoples ran for a combined 106 yards on 30 carries.
The quarterbacks also had similar games.
North Texas quarterback Austin Aune was 19-for-36 passing with 243 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions.
Appalachian State quarterback Chase Brice was 20-for-35 with 275 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception.
The big difference in this game was having a reliable receiving target.
North Texas receiver Khatib Lyles set career-highs in receptions and yards — four and 75, respectively.
Appalachian State receiver Malik Williams was able to haul in eight receptions for 127 yards and a touchdown.
Neither team could establish the run, but Appalachian State was able to eventually pull ahead and win, 24-13.
In 100 simulations, Appalachian State won 76 of them by a margin of 33.2-18.1.
Winner’s Next Matchup: (4) Iowa
Tomorrow’s Matchup: (5) Florida vs. (12) Eastern Michigan
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
REMAINING TEAMS BY CONFERENCE:
American: 8/11 (highest remaining: 2. Cincinnati)
ACC: 13/14 (highest remaining: 1. Clemson)
Big 12: 9/10 (highest remaining: 1. Oklahoma, 1. Oklahoma State)
Big Ten: 12/14 (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: 7/12 (highest remaining: 9. Toledo)
Mountain West: 8/12 (highest remaining: 5. Boise State)
Pac-12: 11/12 (highest remaining: 2. Utah)
SEC: 13/14 (highest remaining: 1. Georgia, 1. Alabama)
Sun Belt: 5/10 (highest remaining: 5. Appalachian State)
