What Is 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl

Overview

The 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl was a postseason NCAA college football game that featured the Iowa State Cyclones of the Big 12 Conference and the Minnesota Golden Gophers of the Big Ten Conference. It took place on December 29, 2012, at Sun Devil Stadium on the campus of Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, serving as one of the mid-tier bowl games in the 2012–2013 bowl season.

This edition marked the final year of the game's sponsorship by Buffalo Wild Wings before it was rebranded. The matchup highlighted two programs seeking to end losing streaks—Minnesota hadn’t won a bowl game since 2004, while Iowa State had not won a bowl since 2004 either, despite a slightly better record. The game was notable for its defensive intensity and low scoring.

• Location: The game was held at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona, a venue that has hosted the event since 1997, providing a warm-weather destination for northern teams.
• Date: Played on December 29, 2012, the game was part of the early wave of bowl matchups leading up to New Year’s Day festivities.
• Teams: The Iowa State Cyclones (7–5) represented the Big 12, while the Minnesota Golden Gophers (6–6) came from the Big Ten, both seeking redemption in their respective seasons.
• Final Score: Minnesota edged out a 14–13 victory, marking their first bowl win in nine years and improving their all-time bowl record to 6–9.
• Attendance: A crowd of 49,466 attended, one of the largest in the bowl’s history, reflecting strong regional interest and fan support from both schools.

How It Works

The Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, now known by different names due to sponsorship changes, operates as a contractual agreement between the Big Ten and Big 12 conferences to send eligible teams when primary bowl slots are filled. The game serves as a platform for teams with modest records to finish their season on a positive note and gain national exposure.

• Bowl Eligibility: Teams must achieve at least six wins against FBS opponents to qualify, with exceptions only in rare cases of conference tie-ins filling spots.
• Conference Tie-Ins: The Big Ten and Big 12 each send a representative, typically a 6–6 or 7–5 team not selected for higher-tier bowls.
• Selection Order: The bowl has specific picks in the conference pecking order—Minnesota was the Big Ten’s fifth selection in 2012, behind higher-ranked teams.
• Player Eligibility: All active roster players are eligible to participate, including redshirt freshmen and seniors completing their final college games.
• Game Duration: The game follows standard NCAA rules—four 15-minute quarters, with overtime used if the score is tied after regulation.
• Sponsorship: Buffalo Wild Wings held naming rights from 2011 to 2013, part of a trend where corporate sponsors rebrand college bowl games for marketing exposure.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl compared across key performance metrics between the two teams:

Despite being outgained in total yards, Minnesota won by capitalizing on key defensive stops and a crucial touchdown drive in the second quarter. Iowa State dominated time of possession but failed to convert red zone opportunities into more points, ultimately missing a late field goal attempt that could have won the game.

Why It Matters

The 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl had lasting implications for both programs, particularly Minnesota, who broke a nine-year bowl victory drought. The win helped stabilize the program under head coach Jerry Kill and provided momentum heading into the next season.

• Program Momentum: Minnesota’s win gave the team and fanbase confidence, contributing to improved recruiting and morale in the following years.
• Coaching Legacy: Jerry Kill’s first bowl win as Minnesota’s head coach solidified his role, though health concerns led to his eventual resignation in 2015.
• Defensive Focus: The game highlighted the importance of defense, as neither team surpassed 20 points, showing how tight games can hinge on small margins.
• Bowl Revenue: Each team received approximately $2.1 million from the Big 12/Big Ten bowl pool, supporting athletic department budgets.
• Player Development: The extra practice and game time helped underclassmen gain experience, particularly for Iowa State’s young roster.
• Sponsorship Impact: The game showcased how corporate naming rights can boost visibility for both the event and the sponsor, setting a precedent for future deals.

Overall, the 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl may not have been a high-scoring spectacle, but it served its purpose as a competitive, meaningful end to the season for both teams and illustrated the value of postseason football beyond the national spotlight.