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The 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings bowl should be an exceptional defensive game between the TCU Horned Frogs and Michigan St. Spartans. Michigan State has the fourth best defense while TCU is No. 18 in total yards allowed per game.
While the defenses will take center stage in this game, each team will need some quality play from their respective playmakers. TCU has quarterback Trevone Boykin, who took over for Casey Pachall after four games. In just eight games, Boykin was able to average 222 yards per game and tossed 15 touchdowns compared to nine interceptions.
Those nine interceptions are worrisome against the Spartans defense, which has picked off opposing quarterbacks 13 times. However, Boykin can run a bit, which should allow him to extend plays against this Michigan State defense and have extra time to make plays.
Michigan State quarterback Andrew Maxwell struggled this year with 13 touchdowns to nine interceptions, and he only completed 52 percent of his passes. The offensive production for the Spartans this season is running back Le'Veon Bell, who led the Big Ten in rushing with 1,648 yards. Bell is the best offensive player on the field, but if TCU can play like the top 10 rush defense it was all season long, the Frogs should have a good chance of taking down Michigan State.
Game date and time
Dec. 29, 9:15 p.m. CT
Location
Sun Devil Stadium, Phoenix, Ariz.
Spread
TCU is favored by 2.5 points.
TV schedule
ESPN
Watch online
WatchESPN
Radio schedule
ESPN Radio
Last year’s game
Oklahoma 31, Iowa 14
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