Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Wyoming vs. Kent State
The Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl: San Diego State vs. University of Texas San Antonio
Simulating the Mountain West Conference Bowl Matchups
Contact/Follow @Sean or @MWCWire
Game Simulation Details
Platform: PS3
Game: NCAA Football 14 (College Football Revamped 2021 Version)
How: 100% Computer Simulated Gameplay
If you have been following the Mountain West Wire closely, you may know that we’ve covered the EA Sports NCAA Football video game series pretty closely for the last two years. Most recently we covered how the EA Sports officially announced a return of the game in 2023, you can read more HERE if you are interested.
Additionally, we have been all over the massive undertaking that the College Football Revamped and Roster Editing community has been leading. This is a group who has literally modified the last rendition of the NCAA series, and brought to present day with updated uniforms, graphics and rosters.
V14 out now! Get it at https://t.co/2czGFw11eB
(Xbox will be delayed to later in the week due to conversion troubles) pic.twitter.com/tEQjha1hAT
— College Football Revamped (@CFBRevamped) September 5, 2021
Using the most recent 2021 edition of the modified game and rosters (updated 12/17/2021), we are going to simulate each of the Mountain West Bowl Matchups a few days in advance of their being played.
The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Wyoming vs. Kent State
One of the many great things about Bowl Season, is the opportunity to see teams with completely contrasting playing styles clash. That’s exactly what people can expect with the MAC’s East Division Champion’s, Kent State, take on the Mountain West’s own Wyoming Cowboys.
The Golden Flash run as high tempo of an offense as you’ll ever see, compare that to a physical Wyoming team that’s more interested in punishing you and leaning on their defense. When you look at the results of our simulation, it’s obvious that it was more of a phone booth fight, than a Golden Flash preferred track meet.
However, in this digital representation of the matchup, a low scoring affair still favored Kent State. Despite just under 450 yards of offense from the Cowboys, 300 of which came on the arm of Sean Chambers. and outgaining their opponents by nearly 100 yards, they still could only muster 12 points.
Kent State ended up victorious in part by winning the turnover battle 2:1, and ultimately with a stop on a 2-point conversion attempt by Wyoming that would have tied the game. The Mountain West falls to the MAC in this one as Kent State beats the Cowboys by a score of 14-12.
The Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl
One of the great stories of the College Football season in 2021 was the UTSA ascension to the top Conference USA. Featuring one of the most dynamic running backs in the country, Sincere McCormack, the Road Runners put together the schools greatest season.
Great running back play is something that the Aztecs can certainly identify with. Unfortunately for UTSA, their star back has elected to prepare for the NFL Draft and forego the teams bowl matchup with San Diego State.
The Road Runners leaned on quarterback Frank Harris without McCormack in the lineup, and he provided just enough pop in the pass game to lead his team to victory. For the Aztecs, they continued to get great play from Trenton Thompson, but even his forced fumble and recovery weren’t enough to tilt the field. San Diego State fell to Texas- San Antonio by a score of 21-19.
But don’t worry, despite being a simulation, video game didn’t marginalize all world specialist Matt Araiza. Not only did Araiza start off the games scoring with a 50+ yard field goal, he had a pedestrian (for him) 49.9 average per punt. Admit it, we were all wondering if the nations most prolific punter’s ability transcended into the video game realms.
With four of the Mountain West’s Bowl simulations in the books, were at the halfway point. Next up will be the Hawai’i Bowl, featuring Memphis from the AAC against the Rainbow Warriors from Hawai’i, who should enjoy a home audience. Stay tuned for those results!
