2013 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl: Michigan vs. Kansas State game preview, odds and prediction
By Jack Crosby
In the final game of the evening on Saturday, the Michigan Wolverines of the Big Ten Conference will take on the Kansas State Wildcats of the Big 12 Conference in the 2013 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl.
Michigan got off to a promising start to the season, winning their first five games. Then, following a thrilling, four-overtime loss to Penn State, the wheels fell off. They lost four of their last six, and QB Devin Gardner almost progressively got worse.
Well, in this one, they’ll be without Gardner who’s out due to a foot injury he suffered in the Ohio State loss, and heavily-hyped true freshman Shane Morris will make the first start of his career, giving Wolverines fans a brief glimpse into the future.
Kansas State came into the 2013 season as the reigning Big 12 Champions, but were quickly brought back down to earth in the opening game by the FCS juggernaut that is the North Dakota State Bison.
In late-September, early-October, they suffered through a three-game losing streak to Texas, Baylor and Oklahoma State, however they kept every game rather close.
Date: Dec. 28
Start Time: 10:15 PM ET
Location: Tempe, AZ
Stadium: Sun Devil Stadium
TV Info: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN app
Odds: Kansas State -6
Prediction: It pretty much goes without saying now that the wild card in this one is the play of Morris at QB for Michigan. There’s enough talent around him with Jeremy Gallon and Devin Funchess to get him through this one, but will he be poised enough in his first start on such a big stage to do his part in making something happen.
If he was facing a coach other than Bill Snyder, then I may say yes. But, in a situation like this, I’m not betting against the Manhattan wizard.
Kansas State 28, Michigan 21