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Predicting 2017 NCAA Tournament based on 2016 football teams

By Connor Muldowney

Nov 19, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) looks to pass in the first quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) looks to pass in the first quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 26, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh during the third quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh during the third quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /

Midwest Region First Round

(1) Kansas vs. (16) NC Central

Will I be harsh and penalize the Jayhawks for having a mediocre football program (putting it nicely)? Even though the Jayhawks aren’t very good, FCS squads don’t usually beat even the worst FBS teams. Pick: Kansas

(8) Miami vs. (9) Michigan State

If this were based off of 2015, I would have picked Michigan State in a heartbeat. However, the Spartans took a thousand steps back in 2016, going 3-9. Miami finished 9-4 and is trending up with Mark Richt as head coach. Pick: Miami

(5) Iowa State vs. (12) Nevada 

Iowa State may play in a Power Five conference, but even the 5-7 Nevada Wolfpack would give the Cyclones a run for their money. Here’s the annual 5-12 upset. Pick: Nevada

(4) Purdue vs. (13) Vermont

You have no idea how tempting it is to throw shade at Purdue for the lack of a quality football program, but even the Boilermakers would win this one on the gridiron. Pick: Purdue

(6) Creighton vs. (11) Rhode Island

Seeing as Creighton hasn’t fielded a football team since 1942, even the 2-9 Rhode Island Rams could pull out a win. Pick: Rhode Island

(3) Oregon vs. (14) Iona

Easy choice yet again. Even with a lackluster 2016 season, Oregon is still Oregon and Iona is not on the map. Pick: Oregon

(7) Michigan vs. (10) Oklahoma State

In both football and basketball, this would be an intriguing matchup. However, Jim Harbaugh has brought the program back and his team would out-grit the Cowboys. Pick: Michigan

(2) Louisville vs. (15) Jacksonville State

Jacksonville State does have a decent FCS squad but Louisville has Lamar Jackson. Next. Pick: Louisville

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