Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl 2012: TCU vs. Michigan State game preview, location, history and more

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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