Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl in Tempe, Ariz. | Kansas State (7-5) vs. Michigan (7-5)
Time/TV: 10:15 p.m. ET/ESPN. Surface: Grass.
Glantz-Culver line: Kansas State by 4½. Sagarin difference: Kansas State by 2.20.
Bowl records: Michigan 20-22, Kansas State 6-10. Series: First meeting.
BOWL SCHEDULE: Dates, times, TV
Synopsis: An opening loss to FCS power North Dakota State and difficult encounters with the Big 12's upper echelon put the Wildcats' postseason chances in serious doubt. But Bill Snyder always gets what he can out of his team, and Kansas State came up with enough wins to earn this shot at Michigan. While that "5" in the loss column is never acceptable to Wolverines fans, a lot would have been forgotten if they'd managed the upset of Ohio State in the regular-season finale.
Unfortunately for Michigan QB Devin Gardner came out of the Wolverines' one-point heartbreaker loss to Ohio State with a foot injury that will force him to miss the bowl. Freshman back-up Shane Morris has played in only three games, so he'll likely need plenty of help from TB Fitz Toussaint. But if he can't get WR Jeremy Gallon and TE Devin Funchess involved as well, there won't be much real estate on the ground against LB Blake Slaughter and the Kansas State front. The Wildcats' offense has gone with a QB platoon for most of the season. Daniel Sams is utilized primarily as a runner to complement TB John Hubert, while Jake Waters is more likely to take to the air with WR Tyler Lockett providing the deep target. Lockett will have to contend with Wolverines CBs Blake Countess and Raymon Taylor, who have combined for 10 INTs.
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