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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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Dec 28, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Jesse Ertz (16) celebrates with offensive lineman Reid Najvar (67) after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Jesse Ertz (16) celebrates with offensive lineman Reid Najvar (67) after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

South Region through Elite Eight

Second Round

(1) North Carolina vs. (8) Arkansas

Everyone wants to see ACC vs. SEC matchups on the gridiron these days, but this one wouldn’t exactly claim the best conference. North Carolina would give Arkansas a tough battle and ultimately I think the Tar Heels’ offense would be slightly too much. Pick: North Carolina

(5) Minnesota vs. (4) Butler

Unfortunately, we can’t judge this matchup with new head coach P.J. Fleck in mind since this is based off of 2016 teams, but Minnesota would still have its way with Butler’s FCS squad. Pick: Minnesota

(11) Kansas State vs. (3) UCLA

It’s too late to pick against Kansas State right now. The Wildcats are rolling through this bracket and a Josh Rosen-less UCLA team isn’t going to change that. Kansas State wins this one relatively easily. Pick: Kansas State

(7) Dayton vs. (2) Kentucky

Dayton had a strong season in the FCS, finishing red-hot, but that won’t be enough to take down even a middle-of-the-pack SEC program like Kentucky. The Wildcats did at least make it to a bowl game in 2016. Pick: Kentucky

Sweet 16

(1) North Carolina vs. (5) Minnesota

This one is tougher than it seems. While Minnesota was in turmoil near the end of the season because of a coaching controversy, the Tar Heels finished the season with three loss in their final four games, including to Stanford in the Sun Bowl. Still, North Carolina was just slightly better than Minnesota. Pick: North Carolina

(11) Kansas State vs. (2) Kentucky 

Sorry, Kentucky, but this one wouldn’t even be close. The Wildcats face better teams than Kansas State — such as Alabama — all the time, but they also get demolished. The Wildcats would take this one by three touchdowns. Pick: Kansas State

Elite Eight

(1) North Carolina vs. (11) Kansas State

The matchup everyone paid to see, right? OK, maybe not. However, this game would be an incredible showdown between the underrated Wildcats of Kansas State and North Carolina’s elite gunslinger Mitch Trubisky. Based on overall teams, North Carolina gets the slight edge. Pick: North Carolina

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