Media Prediction Thread: Buffalo at Minnesota

Donate To GopherHole
BleedGopher

BleedGopher

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 11, 2008
Messages
60,716
Reaction score
15,968
Points
113
GetMoreSports.com is first out of the gate:

Prediction

The odds makers clearly think that the coaching change and the lack of a starting quarterback won’t affect the Golden Gophers that much. They come into this contest nearly a four touchdown favorite.

They also have the over at 51. That means that a new quarterback, who hasn’t even seen the field in a Division I football game, has to put up 30+ points in his debut for the Gophers to cover. I don’t think so. I realize the Bulls’ defense struggles, but most are back. Also, I think Buffalo’s improving quarterback can find a way to score here and there.

Either way, I suggest taking the Bulls to cover the 26 points against P.J. Fleck and the Minnesota Golden Gophers. I don’t expect too much of an offensive output from Buffalo, but enough to where Minnesota won’t score enough to cover the 26. The Golden Gophers 29-13 over the Bulls.

https://www.getmoresports.com/buffalo-bulls-vs-minnesota-golden-gophers-preview/

Go Gophers!!
 

BleedGopher said:
GetMoreSports.com is first out of the gate:

Prediction

The odds makers clearly think that the coaching change and the lack of a starting quarterback won’t affect the Golden Gophers that much. They come into this contest nearly a four touchdown favorite.

They also have the over at 51. That means that a new quarterback, who hasn’t even seen the field in a Division I football game, has to put up 30+ points in his debut for the Gophers to cover. I don’t think so. I realize the Bulls’ defense struggles, but most are back. Also, I think Buffalo’s improving quarterback can find a way to score here and there.

Either way, I suggest taking the Bulls to cover the 26 points against P.J. Fleck and the Minnesota Golden Gophers. I don’t expect too much of an offensive output from Buffalo, but enough to where Minnesota won’t score enough to cover the 26. The Golden Gophers 29-13 over the Bulls.

https://www.getmoresports.com/buffalo-bulls-vs-minnesota-golden-gophers-preview/

Go Gophers!!
Click to expand...

So neither Croft nor Rhoda are playing?
 

Athlon chimes in, albeit without a score prediction:

Buffalo at Minnesota (Thursday, Aug. 31 at 7 p.m., Big Ten Network)
P.J. Fleck’s debut in Minneapolis is one of the top storylines to watch on the first Thursday of action. The Golden Gophers boast one of the Big Ten’s top running back tandems in Shannon Brooks and Rodney Smith, but the quarterback spot remains a mystery. Conor Rhoda and Demry Croft are expected to share the duties in the opener. Will Rhoda or Croft emerge in game action as the clear No. 1 answer? Buffalo enters its third season under coach Lance Leipold with just seven wins over the last two years. The Bulls have a promising quarterback in Tyree Jackson, and a defense that should show marked improvement after giving up 32.3 points per game last fall. In its only game against FBS competition last year, Buffalo was dominated by Boston College 35-3. The Bulls should keep this one a little closer – but not enough to spoil Fleck’s debut.
Prediction: Minnesota

https://athlonsports.com/college-football/ranking-all-87-games-week-1-2017-college-football-season

Go Gophers!!
 




BleedGopher said:
Athlon chimes in, albeit without a score prediction:

Buffalo at Minnesota (Thursday, Aug. 31 at 7 p.m., Big Ten Network)
P.J. Fleck’s debut in Minneapolis is one of the top storylines to watch on the first Thursday of action. The Golden Gophers boast one of the Big Ten’s top running back tandems in Shannon Brooks and Rodney Smith, but the quarterback spot remains a mystery. Conor Rhoda and Demry Croft are expected to share the duties in the opener. Will Rhoda or Croft emerge in game action as the clear No. 1 answer? Buffalo enters its third season under coach Lance Leipold with just seven wins over the last two years. The Bulls have a promising quarterback in Tyree Jackson, and a defense that should show marked improvement after giving up 32.3 points per game last fall. In its only game against FBS competition last year, Buffalo was dominated by Boston College 35-3. The Bulls should keep this one a little closer – but not enough to spoil Fleck’s debut.
Prediction: Minnesota

https://athlonsports.com/college-football/ranking-all-87-games-week-1-2017-college-football-season

Go Gophers!!
Click to expand...

When did the MAC drop down to FCS?
 

Athlon chimes with a score prediction:

Final Analysis

From a pure talent standpoint, Buffalo is going to be outclassed in nearly every way. That said, the Bulls will be well-coached, as Lance Leipold is one of the better X’s and O's guys in the game. P.J. Fleck is smart enough to understand that, and as a result will keep it simple, minimize risks and let his team muscle its way to victory behind that aforementioned rushing attack. When Minnesota is on defense, look for the Gopher secondary to make life miserable for a Buffalo receiving corps full of question marks. The end result will be Tyree Jackson forcing balls into spaces he probably should avoid and trying to do too much when the ball is in his hands – leading to multiple turnovers. After a dicey first quarter, look for Fleck and the Gophers to “Row the Boat” to an easy victory in the season opener.

Prediction: Minnesota 45, Buffalo 10

https://athlonsports.com/college-fo...ta-golden-gophers-preview-and-prediction-2017

Go Gophers!!
 

The over-under for the game is currently at 50 combined points. Minnesota’s defense will be stifling, and the lead should be big, but it is still the opener. They will be pulling starters in a third quarter blowout, which means Buffalo will get points on the board. The score of 45-20 is not out of the question, and even a 40-14 final will get you both bets. This is another great bet to get in on the money-making early in the season.


http://zonecoverage.com/2017/gophers/6-predictions-for-minnesota-vs-buffalo/
 

CFN

All that matters is whether or not Rhoda or Croft is able to separate from the other and be the main man at quarterback. It’ll take a little bit to put away an improved UB team with an interesting QB in 6-7 Tyree Jackson, but thanks to the ground game, the time of possession will be dominated by the guys in maroon and gold.

Prediction: Minnesota 37, Buffalo 17

http://collegefootballnews.com/2017/08/minnesota-vs-buffalo-prediction-game-preview
 









Bill Connelly SB Nation

Minnesota 37, Buffalo (+26) 12 (Thursday, 7:00 PM ET, BTN)
 




You must log in or register to reply here.



Top Bottom