Another physical Big Ten team, another embarrassing loss for the Washington State Cougars in the Holiday Bowl.
Missing four starters — including injured quarterback Luke Falk and suspended (for a half) defensive tackle Hercules Mata’afa — the Cougs didn’t put up much of a fight against the Michigan State Spartans, who took a 21-3 halftime lead and never looked back, eventually winning 42-17.
The game wasn’t a blowout from the beginning, but as the WSU offense struggled to move the ball with Tyler Hilinski taking the snaps, the Spartans began to wear the Cougs down.