It's a cold one in Buffalo, and a big opportunity for the Bulls. Massachusetts (4-2, 1-2 MAC) visits Buffalo (3-3, 1-1) at 1 p.m. on ESPN+, and the Minutemen have to do it with their third-string quarterback.
UMass insider Abner Kettleworth makes Revolutionary War puns and delivers the news straight. Starter William "Pop" Watson is out with an ankle injury, backup Aedan McCarthy is unavailable, and Logan Inagawa will make the start. Buffalo insider Kendra Woolcott opens every take with a weather report: 46 degrees and breezy. She loves the Bulls' momentum after last Saturday's 23-8 road win at Toledo, which Chance Morrow and his six touchdown catches helped deliver.
UMass still has weapons. Running back Curtis Kimmons IV has four touchdowns, and T.Y. Harding is a reliable receiver. The Minutemen will probably lean on the run to protect their new quarterback. Buffalo will try to make him throw. Neither offense ranks highly in ESPN's efficiency numbers, so a turnover or two could decide it. UMass lost a 20-19 heartbreaker to Miami (OH) last week.
Our call: Buffalo 23, Massachusetts 17.