Early BWW Bowl Predictions
Do you have a score prediction? A stat prediction? Or an obscure play prediction?
Let's hear them. I'll start.
I expect a close game and Matt Wile kicks a field goal to win 31-28. Michigan is outrushed by 100 yards. Norfleet finally takes one back.
December 9th, 2013 at 2:43 PM ^
Michigan, K-State, Duke and Texas A&M players arrive in Tempe and Atlanta only to find out they've been duped. Instead of playing football, they all must travel to Cheyenne to observe and judge the annual cattle air show, where the BW3 Flying Buffalos will compete against the Chick-Fil-A Parachuting Cows.
The players will later be bused to BW3 headquarters to play with the buttons that control all the sprinkler heads in stadiums hosting all the other bowl games.
December 9th, 2013 at 2:47 PM ^
Well played.
December 9th, 2013 at 3:00 PM ^
December 9th, 2013 at 3:14 PM ^
although that isn't much of a difference from the noon start against Iowa. Actually, no, that is the exact same way I acted.
December 9th, 2013 at 4:12 PM ^
Is it Sunday afternoon?
(That's my plan!)
December 9th, 2013 at 3:08 PM ^
Who shows up? Who's got anything left? Is giving THIS coaching staff more time to screw with the offense really something we should be hoping for?
Raw talent dictates Michigan should win by at least one score.
Michael Vick (I think...probably) once said "Sometimes you have to overcome coaching." If Michigan can do that I think it's a good win, say 35-27. If they do what they're told and do not deviate from the game plan KSU wins 27-17.
Damn, I hate feeling this way.
December 9th, 2013 at 3:31 PM ^
If we get bad Borges, this has the makings of a 28-7 loss all over it. It'll be same story, different game. We'll go into the locker room with a slight deficit, since the defense is playing well but the offense can't get out of its own way and constantly goes 3 and out. By the time the 4th quarter rolls around, the defense is gassed, and K-State starts rolling.
Its so frustrating that we can't really make accurate predictions because we just don't know what version of the offense will show up. But if the bowl game goes badly, I think next year becomes make or break for Hoke. He's made his bed by keeping the offensive staff intact. For better or worse, he's sleeping in that damn thing.
December 9th, 2013 at 5:04 PM ^
Your'e harshing my buzz here.
December 9th, 2013 at 3:39 PM ^
The question is will they.
December 9th, 2013 at 4:08 PM ^
My predictions:
Michigan - 38
KSU - 24
1. Michigan's coaching staff stops trying to push the power scheme so much and instead ideologically adjusts to calling what the current players run most efficiently (still in a pro style offense, but adjustable to have more or less spread/power elements depending on personel). This is a trend that continues into 2014 and provides us all much-needed hope. The prototypical example of this is the great frequency at which M tries to make the power I work, with little success. Yes, you must keep defenses honest, but there were a number of times this year where a run up the gut was ill-advised given the personel we have.
2. Derrick Green makes a strong case for starting RB in 2014 by consistently picking up 3, 4, 6 yards with a few 10+ yarders interspersed. Toussaint plays largely the role of a third down back. Smith shows a bit of that "gliding" running style from the OSU game and appears to be moving into a much-valued change of pace RB role.
3. The OL looks much more cohesive and as a result, Gardner finally has a chance to spend 60 minutes developing his progressions instead of running for his life.
4. The team and coaching staff is happy with the win but alludes to a driving will to get vengeance in 2014.
5. Devin Funchess, having finalized his move to WR with his play this year, has 80-100 yards receiving and a brilliant TD which pushes us into conversation about a potential number switch to #1. His offseason is more than enough to earn him the jersey.
6. The coaching staff pulls a Beilein and opens up their offensive philosophy for next year. They decide to expand on the "controlling tempo" principle by not just utilizing clock-control offense, but also adding the ability to run offense at multiple tempoes (i.e. no huddle). 2014 revenge tour (a la 2006) commence.
December 9th, 2013 at 4:10 PM ^
December 9th, 2013 at 7:47 PM ^
Of course! It's going to be a long 9 months regardless, but if everyone is pessimistic and miserable, it'll be intolerable (as many others have iterated already).
Though I must stress that points #1 and #6 are concepts/adaptations that the coaching staff basically MUST make offensively for us to be a dangerous team (nationally speaking) next year. We cannot have the mentality of out-talenting and running a rigid system in this post-modern age of college football; I wholeheartedly think they should stick to their system, but have some flexibility, sir!
The players, of course, must take responsibility for their performances this year as well. What does that mean? Busting ass and working together in the off-season. It isn't rocket science to say that teams that bust it (together) with the youth + talent we have generally means significant improvement the following year.
December 10th, 2013 at 9:19 AM ^
If Hoke was truly going to "pull a Beilein," he'd fire half his staff and bring in some dynamic young assistant coaches.
That's highly unlikely to happen.
December 9th, 2013 at 4:27 PM ^
December 9th, 2013 at 4:35 PM ^
34-24 Michgian
December 9th, 2013 at 5:06 PM ^
Well, Massey's simulator gives us about a 40% probability by their algorithm, and I believe we opened as 3.5 point underdogs, which I would take. I think it is a relatively close game (if we get a rhythm on offense, it may not be so close, of course - we have seen what we can do), but on paper, I would like Michigan's chances in this game. On a yards allowed basis, these are both Top 30 defenses too, so that could make things interesting at points. I could foresee a win.
December 9th, 2013 at 5:09 PM ^
If we come to play like we did against the Buckeyes, we will win no contest! Having said that, we better be able to stop the damn run. It will be a shootout otherwise!
December 9th, 2013 at 5:17 PM ^
No. 19 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl -- 12/28, 10:15 p.m.
Michigan 7-5 vs. Kansas State 7-5
Some late-night college football action for us all. We've seen the commercials for Buffalo Wild Wings, so there's no way to possibly know just what might happen in this game. No, wait, yeah there is. We know that no matter what happens Michigan fans will complain about it for four hours.
December 9th, 2013 at 8:02 PM ^
December 9th, 2013 at 9:04 PM ^
Haha! More like four weeks.
December 9th, 2013 at 6:22 PM ^
Michigan 37, KSU 28. Close game broken open a bit in the 4th quarter.
December 9th, 2013 at 6:41 PM ^
December 9th, 2013 at 8:06 PM ^
Kept Ohio from embarassing us and showed little bro' how to attack them. But whatever.
December 9th, 2013 at 8:08 PM ^
December 9th, 2013 at 8:05 PM ^
Close game midway through the second - last thing I'll remember.
December 9th, 2013 at 9:56 PM ^
December 9th, 2013 at 10:36 PM ^
Kstate has a decent defensive backfield that will make the oportune pick, if given the chance. Really like the returns these DB's make after the INT. However, keep the rock and get to the red zone for EASY MONEY. Nearly 92% fail rate in th Red Zone. Funchess anyone??? Or Butt. Basically KState is UM's defense, but not so good in Red Zone. I like our offense against our defense...apparently, so does Big AL who keeps game planning based on practice results. UM 37--Flat Lander's 28
December 9th, 2013 at 10:44 PM ^
Michigan 31 vs KSU 30 win!
December 16th, 2013 at 2:45 PM ^
I don't know who will win the game, but I predict that this game will have the highest ratings in its history
December 16th, 2013 at 6:39 PM ^
I'm not sure where to find historical bowl TV ratings, but I'll bet a lot of folks tuned in to watch Notre Dame get drubbed in '04.