Buffalo at Minnesota College Football Picks & Predictions 8/31/2017

Thursday, August 31, 2017

TCF Bank Stadium

Get todays College Football Odds & Lines on this game

The Buffalo Bulls travel to TCF Bank Stadium to take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Thursday, August 31, 2017. The opening line for this game has Minnesota as 28 point favorites. The Bulls had an ATS record of 4-8-0 last season while their over/under record was 3-9-0. The Golden Gophers had an over/under record of 6-7-0 and they were 5-5-3 against the spread.

Valuable Buffalo Bulls Betting Trends

The Buffalo Bulls were 3-9-0 against the over/under last season

The Buffalo Bulls were 4-8-0 against the spread last year

Important Minnesota Golden Gophers Betting Trends

The Minnesota Golden Gophers were 6-7-0 against the over/under last season

The Minnesota Golden Gophers were 5-5-3 against the spread last year

Key Buffalo Bulls Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Minnesota Golden Gophers Injuries

No key injuries to report

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Buffalo Bulls were 117th in Division 1 in points scored with 198 last year. They ran 823 plays last season for 2,406 yards, which ranked them 94th in the nation in total offense. The Bulls averaged 5.2 yards per play, which was 95th in college football. As a team they accumulated a total of 220 1st downs last year, placing them 107th overall as an offensive unit. On the ground Buffalo ran for 1,840 yards as a team, which ranked 93rd in the country. They ran 426 times, averaging 4.3 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Bulls were penalized on offense 64 times for 517 yards last season, which had them 95th in the nation in penalties. Tyree Jackson threw for 1,772 yards last season. He completed 165 passes on 311 attempts for a completion percentage of 53.1%. His quarterback rating last year was 104.7. He averaged 5.7 yards per pass attempt and 5 adjusted yards per throw.

Defensive Statistics

Buffalo was 81st in the nation in points allowed on defense with 388 last season. They surrendered a total of 5,218 yards on D, which was 59th in Division 1. The Bulls were ranked 75th in yards per play allowed with 5.9. Opposing offenses completed 163 passes on 284 attempts against the Buffalo Bulls defense last season, placing them 6th and 4th in the country. The Buffalo pass defense also gave up a total of 2,178 yards through the air, which was 8th overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense allowed 598 attempts for 3,040 yards last year, putting them in 113th place in D-1 against the run. The Bulls committed 54 penalties for 466 yards on the defensive side of the ball last season. That ranked them 3rd in the nation.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Golden Gophers ran for 2,387 yards as a team last year, which ranked 52nd in the nation. They ran 558 times, averaging 4.3 yards per rush as a unit. The Minnesota Golden Gophers were penalized on offense 88 times for 744 yards last year, which had them 32nd in the country in penalties. They were 58th in Division 1 in points scored with 381. They ran 887 plays last year for 2,257 yards, which ranked them 100th in the nation in total offense. The Golden Gophers averaged 5.2 yards per play, which was 98th in college football. As a team they accumulated a total of 250 1st downs last season, ranking them 84th overall as an offensive unit. Conor Rhoda completed 8 throws while attempting 16 passes for a completion percentage of 50% last year. He passed for 88 yards. He averaged 6.8 adjusted yards per throw and 5.5 yards per pass attempt. His quarterback rating last season was 116.8.

Defensive Statistics

The Minnesota Golden Gophers rush defense gave up 452 attempts for 1,531 yards last season, putting them in 12th place in the country against the run. They had 61 penalties for 547 yards on defense last year. That placed them 19th in Division 1. Minnesota was 18th in college football in points surrendered on defense with 287. They gave up a total of 4,534 yards on D, which was 19th in the nation. The Golden Gophers were 11th in yards per play allowed with 4.8. Opponent offenses completed 274 throws on 488 attempts against the Minnesota defense last season, ranking them 99th and 107th in the country. The Minnesota Golden Gophers pass defense also surrendered a total of 3,002 yards in the air, which was 73rd overall in total pass defense.

Who will win tonight's Bulls/Golden Gophers college football game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take the Bulls +28

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Guy Bruhn