#5 Auburn at #20 Kansas State Preview and Predictions
By Nathan Deal
Dec 28, 2013; Tempe, AZ, USA; Kansas State Wildcats wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) celebrates a 6 yard touchdown during the first half against the Michigan Wolverines the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Who: #5 Auburn Tigers (2-0, 1-0 SEC) at #20 Kansas State Wildcats (2-0, 1-0 Big 12)
When: Thursday, 6:30 p.m. CT (ESPN)
Where: Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, Kansas
All-Time Series Record: Auburn leads 3-0
Most Recent Meeting: Auburn 23, Kansas State 13 (2007)
After easy wins against (steadily improving but still rebuilding) Arkansas and San Jose State, the defending SEC champions step into the national spotlight for the first time on Thursday night with a strange road trip to 20th-ranked Kansas State.
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This game has been a talking point for months, as the Tigers look to pass a big early-season road test, while the Wildcats want to make a statement and put themselves squarely in national championship contention.
The clash of styles is noticeable. Gus Malzahn has had massive success in a short time as head coach, with a record of 23-5 in his first 28 games (including a 14-2 record with the Tigers). Bill Snyder has already established his legacy in college football, as he is in his 23rd season with the Wildcats. Snyder has a 180-90-1 record (103-69-1 in conference games) with two Big 12 titles in the past 11 seasons.
Bill Snyder Family Stadium will have a record crowd on hand for one of this season’s most highly-anticipated non-conference games.