Photo courtesy of NC 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 82
(2) NC State vs. (10) Memphis
How NC State Got Here: 52-0 win over (15) Duke
How Memphis Got Here: 27-20 win over (7) West Virginia
We’re halfway through the second round!
In the latest matchup, NC State quarterback Devin Leary was 29-for-45 with 345 yards and three touchdowns.
Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan also put up a strong stat line, going 21-for-38 passing with 331 yards, four touchdowns, and an interception.
Like the quarterbacks, the running backs also had pretty similar afternoons.
Memphis’ Brandon Thomas averaged 4.8 yards per carry on 10 carries.
NC State running back Ricky Person Jr. averaged 4.4 yards per carry on 13 carries.
It was a back-and-forth affair, but ultimately a 54-yard bomb to Calvin Austin III gave Memphis the score it needed to pull off another upset.
Memphis wins a tight one over NC State, 31-24.
In 100 simulations, NC State won a whopping 84 of them by an average margin of 29.9-16.4. Thankfully for Memphis, you only need to win one to advance in this tournament.
Winner’s Next Matchup: Winner of (3) Penn State vs. (6) Louisiana
Tomorrow’s Matchup: (3) Penn State vs. (6) Louisiana
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
REMAINING TEAMS BY CONFERENCE:
American: 4/11 (highest remaining: 2. Cincinnati)
ACC: 5/14 (highest remaining: 1. Clemson)
Big 12: 6/10 (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)
