They did a simulation of the complete season versus Softball America did projections based at the end of the season and some general assumptions. If you read the details of the In the Circle forecast (found on Fastpitch News and/or JWOS), they simulated out the whole season. In the ACC, they had VT winning the regular season, but Duke winning the ACC Tourney -- hence they were selected to host and FSU was not. Similarly in the Big 12, they had Ok State winning the Big 12 regular season title but also winning the post season tournament. They had Oklahoma finished tied for 4th in the conference behind Ok State and Texas, as they assumed their injured pitcher would not return last year. ULL was bolstered by a strong non-conference schedule and not losing any in conference (though I think 2 is way too high). You can argue about UCF and Miss St but I guess it depends on the assumptions you make on the simulations. I am not saying either projection is better than the other, just that they really aren't apples to apples. I don't think they would have put JMU and VT in the same bracket either.