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The recently renamed Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl will play host to two unranked, but dangerous, teams when the Michigan State Spartans take on the TCU Horned Frogs from Tempe, Ariz., on Dec. 29.
Both teams somewhat failed to meet expectations after both posted 11 wins in 2012, but their defenses allowed both to make another bowl game in 2012. Michigan State boasts the fourth-ranked defense in the nation when it comes to total yards. TCU also landed in the top 20 in the category, at No. 18.
Yet neither team posted a winning record in conference play, even after Michigan State opened the season by beating the end-of-year No. 19 team, the Boise State Broncos, and the eventual Big Ten champion Wisconsin Badgers in Madison.
TCU's offense is led by freshman Trevone Boykin, who took over at the Horned Frogs' helm after Casey Pachall was arrested for DWI early in the season. Boykin posted 1,853 passing yards and 15 touchdowns. Running back B.J. Catalon led the Horned Frogs in rushing, compiling 562 yards but scoring no touchdowns.
On the other sideline, the Spartans will be led by quarterback Andrew Maxwell, who threw for more than 2,500 yards and connected on 13 touchdown strikes in 2012, helping the Spartans to their six victories.
Game date and time
Dec. 29, 10:15 p.m. ET
Location
Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Ariz.
Spread
TCU is a slight 2.5-point favorite over the Spartans in this meeting.
TV schedule
ESPN
Watch online
ESPN3/Watch ESPN
Radio schedule
ESPN Radio
Last year’s game
Oklahoma Sooners 31 vs. Iowa Hawkeyes 10
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