Photo courtesy of Kate Luffman/Texas A&M 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 80
(2) Texas A&M vs. (7) Florida State
How Texas A&M Got Here: 40-10 win over (15) Ohio
How Florida State Got Here: 38-17 win over (10) Missouri
Texas A&M’s leading rusher Devon Achane had 86 rushing yards and a touchdown on 14 carries.
Florida State’s leading rusher Jashaun Corbin had 62 rushing yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.
Both teams had similar production from their leading rushers, but the quarterbacks were the main difference.
Texas A&M quarterback Zach Calzada was 18-for-32 for 333 yards and three touchdowns.
Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis also had a so-so day in terms of completing passes — 14-for-33. Where Calzada performed markedly better was moving the ball downfield and keeping it out of danger.
Travis only had 211 yards and an interception.
Texas A&M benefits from a shaky day from Travis. Jimbo Fisher leads the Aggies past his former school, 31-13.
In 100 simulations, Texas A&M won 61 of them by a margin of 24.7-19.3.
Winner’s Next Matchup: Winner of (3) Michigan State vs. (11) Georgia State
Tomorrow’s Matchup: (2) Baylor vs. (7) Texas Tech
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
REMAINING TEAMS BY CONFERENCE:
American: 4/11 (highest remaining: 2. Cincinnati)
ACC: 6/14 (highest remaining: 1. Clemson)
Big 12: 7/10 (highest remaining: 1. Oklahoma, 1. Oklahoma State)
Big Ten: 8/14 (highest remaining: 1. Ohio State, 1. Michigan)
Conference USA: 1/14 (highest remaining: 6. Western Kentucky)
Independents: 2/7 (highest remaining: 1. Notre Dame)
MAC: 1/12 (highest remaining: 13. Kent State)
Mountain West: 2/12 (highest remaining: 5. Boise State)
Pac-12: 4/12 (highest remaining: 2. Utah)
SEC: 10/14 (highest remaining: 1. Georgia)
Sun Belt: 5/10 (highest remaining: 5. Appalachian State)
