After beating Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl two years ago, 7-5 TCU shoots for another victory over the Big Ten when it takes on 6-6 Michigan State in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl Saturday, Dec. 29 in Tempe (10:15 pm ET, ESPN).
For the early Wild Wings Bowl betting odds the Horned Frogs, who went 4-5 in their first Big 12 season, were favored by two points over the Spartans, who went 3-5 in Big Ten play.
The OVER is 11-3 in the past 14 Insight Bowls (Buffalo Wild Wings), while Big 12 schools are 5-1 SU vs the Big Ten in the past 6 editions of this game. [ More Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl betting information, stats and trends ]
View TCU vs Michigan State Odds and Stats.
How They Match Up:
The game also pits Michigan State's No. 109-ranked offense, averaging 20.2 PPG, against a Horned Frogs defense that ranks No. 34 this week at 23.1 PPG. The Spartans aerial game is averaging 218.8 yards per game, less than the Horned Frogs secondary allows through the air, 228.1 YPG per game.
In comparing defenses, the Horned Frogs own the league's No. 5-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 87.3 yards per game when on the road. Michigan State, on the other hand, rates No. 86 this week in generating rushing yards at home.
TCU was a 24-17 loser in its last match at home against Oklahoma. They failed to cover the 6.5-point spread as underdogs, while the total score of 41 sent UNDER bettors to the payout window. In their last game, the Horned Frogs were Week 14 losers coming out on the wrong end of 24-17 score against Oklahoma.
In their last action, Michigan State was a 26-10 Sportsbook on the road against Minnesota. They covered the 7.5-point spread as favorites, while the combined score (36) was profitable news for UNDER bettors. Minnesota was unable to contain Le'Veon Bell in its last action Saturday and the result was a 26-10 Week 13 loss against the Spartans.
TCU Horned Frogs Trends:
When playing in December are 8-2
When playing on grass are 6-4
After being outgained are 8-2
When even odds on the road are 0-1
Michigan State Spartans Trends:
When playing in December are 2-7
When playing on grass are 5-5
After outgaining opponent are 4-6
When playing outside the conference are 7-3
A few Horned Frogs at Spartans trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of TCU's last 5 games
TCU is 15-5 SU in its last 20 games
TCU is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
TCU is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Michigan State's last 6 games
Michigan State is 15-8 SU in its last 23 games
Michigan State is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Michigan State is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games
