Holiday Bowl preview: Michigan State vs. Washington State
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Sizing up the San Diego Credit Union Holiday Bowl between Michigan State (9-3) and Washington State (9-3):
Time, TV: Dec. 28, 9 p.m. ET, Fox
Site: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego
Analysis
Facing a defensive-minded Big Ten team dealing with suspensions, Washington State flubbed its way to a 17-12 loss to Minnesota in last season’s Holiday Bowl.
This time, Mike Leach’s team meets another Big Ten program defined by its defensive prowess. And the Spartans faced roster attrition in the offseason when the program dismissed three players charged with sexual assault. While following up a playoff appearance in 2015 with a 3-9 showing last season was a miserable development for a program that had finally become a consistent top-15 presence, the off-field problems created even larger questions about…