Filling out your NCAA Tournament bracket based on who would win in football

Round 1: Midwest Region

North Carolina earned the No. 1 seed in this region, but outside of Gonzaga, this would be the weakest top seed on the gridiron. Could we see another No. 16 upset a No. 1 seed here?

No. 1 North Carolina vs. No. 16 Iona

North Carolina was bad in 2018 but that doesn’t mean Iona is going to come in and steal a win from the Tar Heels. This will be an ugly game, but the Tar Heels will get a rare victory.

Final Score: Iona 10, North Carolina 14

No. 8 Utah State vs. No. 9 Washington

Utah State was a pleasant surprise this season and could give a team like Washington a run for its money, but Chris Petersen is too smart to overlook the Aggies. The defense will be the difference as the Huskies make enough stops to hold off Jordan Love and the Utah State offense, pulling off a big win.

Final Score: Washington 27, Utah State 17

No. 5 Auburn vs. No. 12 New Mexico State

It’s been a rocky couple of years for Gus Malzahn, but the Tigers will avoid an opening round upset here thanks to a big game from Jarrett Stidham. This could be the team’s second chance at making some noise in the college football landscape and New Mexico State doesn’t stand much of a chance.

Final Score: New Mexico State 13, Auburn 42

No. 4 Kansas vs. No. 13 Northeastern

Just like its in-state rival, Kansas will receive a first-round bye thanks to the fact that Northeastern doesn’t have a football team.

Final Score: Kansas def. Northeastern (forfeit) 

No. 6 Iowa State vs. No. 11 Ohio State

Many would look at this matchup and just assume a football team like Ohio State would dominate Iowa State, but the Cyclones have been improving every year under Matt Campbell. The Buckeyes and Cyclones will trade scores through the first three quarters before the Buckeyes close the door early in the fourth quarter on the arm of Dwayne Haskins.

Final Score: Ohio State 34, Iowa State 24

No. 3 Houston vs. No. 14 Georgia State

There was plenty of drama surrounding Houston this season, from Ed Oliver sitting out, to getting into it with a coach on the sideline, to Major Applewhite getting fired. Still, Georgia State was just 2-10 and couldn’t do much of anything. D’Eriq King is the difference here.

Final Score: Georgia State 10, Houston 28

No. 7 Wofford vs. No. 10 Seton Hall

Wofford. Sharpie. Why? Because Seton Hall doesn’t have a football team anymore and hasn’t since 1982. Wofford won nine games last season in the FCS.

Final Score: Wofford def. Seton Hall (forfeit)

No. 2 Kentucky vs. No. 15 Abilene Christian

On paper, this one looks to be a no-brainer and Kentucky should get an easy win here, but Abilene Christian made a splash hire of Adam Dorrel two years ago and he’s slowly turning the FCS program around. That doesn’t mean it’s ready to face Benny Snell and Kentucky, though. This one won’t be close.

Final Score: Abilene Christian 3, Kentucky 30