Bowling Green Falcons (7-5) vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers (5-7)
Bowling Green Falcons vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers: As the college football season reaches its crescendo, the Quick Lane Bowl presents an intriguing matchup between the Bowling Green Falcons and the Minnesota Golden Gophers. With the Falcons holding a 7-5 record and the Gophers at 5-7, this game is more than just a battle for postseason glory; it’s a testament to the unpredictability and excitement of NCAAF bowl picks.
Bowling Green Falcons vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers Game Info
| When: | Tuesday, December 26, 2023 at 2:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Ford Field |
| TV: | ESPN |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Connor Bazelak QB vs. Athan Kaliakmanis QB
Bowling Green quarterback Connor Bazelak transferred from Missouri after an up-and-down couple of seasons. He’s brought stability to the Falcons offense, completing 61% of his passes for 1,714 yards with 11 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Bazelak won’t wow you physically but he’s an accurate, cerebral signal-caller who excels at taking what the defense gives him. His decision making and ability to avoid turnovers will be key against a talented Gophers secondary.
Meanwhile, Athan Kaliakmanis was pressed into duty for Minnesota midway through the season. The redshirt freshman has flashed potential but not surprisingly, has endured growing pains. He’s averaging just 6.3 yards per attempt with 14 touchdowns compared to 9 picks. Kaliakmanis has the stronger arm and mobility to Elude pass rushers but his accuracy and propensity for mistakes make him a liability at times. He’ll need to avoid those errors against a Ball-hawking Bowling Green defense.
Falcon’s Flight: Bowling Green’s Dynamic Duo
The engine that makes the Falcons offense go is running back Terion Stewart. Despite missing a couple games, he racked up 762 rushing yards at 6.1 yards per carry with 8 touchdowns. Stewart is a tackle-breaking machine who will challenge Minnesota’s 92nd-ranked run defense. Wideout Ta’ron Keith is also a home run threat, using his speed and elusiveness to pile up 457 receiving yards on just 44 catches. Bowling Green spreads the ball around to various playmakers so Minnesota can’t focus all their attention on Stewart and Keith.
Golden Gophers’ Gridiron Guardians
For Minnesota, Darius Taylor at running back has been impressive. With 591 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns, he’s a crucial asset. Wide receiver Daniel Jackson, with 831 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns, provides a reliable target for Kaliakmanis, making the Gophers’ offense multifaceted.
NCAAF Betting Odds: Minnesota Golden Gophers -180, Over/Under: 39.5
The betting odds slightly favor Minnesota, reflecting their solid track record against Mid-American conference teams. The over/under at 39.5 points suggests a moderately scoring game.
Bowling Green Falcons Betting Trends
Bowling Green are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Bowling Green’s last 5 games.
Bowling Green are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games.
Bowling Green are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games against an opponent in the Big Ten conference.
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Bowling Green’s last 11 games played in December.
Bowling Green are 2-9 SU in their last 11 games played on a Tuesday.
Minnesota Golden Gophers Betting Trends
Minnesota are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota’s last 6 games.
Minnesota are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games.
Minnesota are 9-1 SU in their last 10 games against an opponent in the Mid-American conference.
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Minnesota’s last 8 games played in December.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota’s last 5 games when playing as the favourite.
Bowling Green Falcons vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers Betting Picks
In this matchup, both teams bring unique strengths and weaknesses. Bowling Green’s strong ATS record and their capacity to score points make them a tempting pick, especially against a Minnesota team with recent struggles. However, Minnesota’s dominance over Mid-American conference teams cannot be overlooked.
When considering prop bets and over/under, the trends suggest a game that could go either way. Bowling Green’s tendency for high-scoring December games clashes with Minnesota’s opposite trend. Thus, picking the over might be risky but potentially rewarding. For those interested in exploring these options, checking out legal betting sites for the best odds and insights is advisable.
Score Prediction: Minnesota 24, Bowling Green 20
Receiving Yards Prop: Minnesota 24, Bowling Green 20.
