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

Round 2: South Region

Things in the South Region will begin heating up in the second round with teams like Oklahoma, Oregon, Kansas State and Tennessee advancing. It seems clear which team is primed to make a run to the Final Four, but what upsets could trip them up?

No. 1 Virginia vs. No. 9 Oklahoma

On the basketball court, Virginia would absolutely wipe the floor with No. 9 seed Oklahoma. On the football field? Not so much. Kyler Murray and the Sooners would stomp the Cavaliers to the point of no return. It’s not because Virginia isn’t a good football program, but because the Sooners can score, and score, and score again just for fun.

Final Score: Oklahoma 42, Virginia 17

No. 12 Oregon vs. No. 4 Kansas State

After watching Oregon in the Redbox Bowl, it’s hard to pick the Ducks, but against an offense like Kansas State’s, this team should be able to win with ease. Kansas State looked horrid in 2018, scoring 14 points or less five times and missing out on a bowl game. If this were actually a 68-team football field, it’d be hard to imagine Kansas State in it.

Final Score: Oregon 38, Kansas State 13

No. 6 Villanova vs. No. 3 Purdue

Villanova got a bye in the first round because, well, Saint Mary’s no longer has a football program. The Wildcats won’t be so lucky this time around as Jeff Brohm has Purdue on the rise. With that explosive offense, there will be no stopping the Boilermakers. Rondale Moore will finish the game with over 200 all-purpose yards.

Final Score: Villanova 3, Purdue 45

No. 10 Iowa vs. No. 2 Tennessee

Is Jeremy Pruitt’s program at the level it needs to be to take down a Big Ten team like Iowa? Not quite, but give the Volunteers a couple of seasons and they could be competing for division titles and playing in bowl games against tough Big Ten foes. For now, Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeyes will grind out an ugly win like they’re known for doing.

Final Score: Iowa 20, Tennessee 14