Bowling Green Falcons vs Minnesota Golden Gophers Prediction, 12/26/2023 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Bowling Green Falcons vs Minnesota Golden Gophers

Date: Tuesday, December 26, 2023

Location: Ford Field in Detroit, MI

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Golden Gophers (-7)

Total/Over-Under: 36.5

The Minnesota Golden Gophers (5-7) will try to defeat the Bowling Green Falcons (7-5) at Ford Field on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 in the Quick Lane Bowl. Bowling Green is 7-point dogs from Vegas oddsmakers. The over/under is set at 36.5.

The Bowling Green Falcons head into this game 7-5 for this season. In their last matchup, the Falcons took on the Western Michigan Broncos and took home the win by a score of 34-10. Connor Bazelak finished 23/35 with 286 yds passing and 1 TD. He had a QB rate of 143.8 and finished the game with no picks. Taron Keith led the offense in rushing for the Falcons with 15 totes for 64 yds (4.3 yards per attempt). The Bowling Green Falcons ran the football 28 different times and accounted for 132 yds, which came out to an average of 4.7 yards per carry. In all, they ran 56 plays which totaled 360 yds. Bowling Green gave up 17 completions on 27 attempts for 123 yds, and a completion percentage of 63.0%. On the ground, the Falcons gave up 135 yards on 41 tries, which is an average of 3.3 yards per run allowed.

The Falcons have tallied 3,934 total yards over the course of this year. In terms of getting the ball in the endzone, Bowling Green has totaled 16 passing touchdowns and 20 rushing touchdowns. They have turned the ball over 19 times. Bowling Green has accrued 200 1st downs as an offense, and they have committed 85 infractions for 761 yards. As a unit they're averaging 142.2 yards in the run game ranking them 87th in college football. When it comes to scoring points, the Bowling Green Falcons have an average of 26.3 points per game.

The Falcons rank 49th in the country regarding the opposition scoring, allowing 23.5 PPG. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 3.9 yards per rushing attempt and 137.2 yards on the ground per contest on the campaign. Overall, they have allowed 1,646 yards via the running game in 12 games. In terms of yards through the air, the Falcons are giving up 2,312 yards which ranks them 22nd in Division 1. They are conceding 192.7 yards per game through the air as well as giving up a completion percentage of 60.0%. For the season, they have surrendered 329.8 yards/game which has them ranked 30th in college football. They have yielded 19 touchdowns via the pass and 14 touchdowns pounding the rock.

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The Golden Gophers step onto the field holding a record of 5-7 for this season. In their last game, the Golden Gophers took a loss by a final score of 28-14 when they faced the Wisconsin Badgers. Jordan Nubin carried the ball 24 times for 93 yards, finishing the contest with 3.9 yards per carry for Minnesota. Athan Kaliakmanis (1 touchdown) walked away from the game with 167 yds on 16/28 passing while his quarterback rate was 111.9. He threw 1 pick and his Y/A was 6.0. Minnesota relinquished 44 attempts on the ground for 267 yds (6.1 yds per rush). The Golden Gophers pass defense gave up a completion rate of 63.6%, relinquishing 145 yards on 14 for 22 through the air. The Golden Gophers finished the contest with a total of 286 yds on 59 plays (4.8 yards per play). Minnesota ran for 3.8 yds per carry, finishing the game with 119 yds on 31 attempts.

The Minnesota Golden Gophers maintain an average of 302.6 yards per game, which ranks them 125th in Division 1. The Minnesota offense has compiled 344 yards of penalties on 36 violations, ranking them 133rd in the country in terms of giving up free yards. They hold an average of 149.4 rushing yards per game and have rushed for 1,793 yards for this season. They have given away 10 interceptions while surrendering 6 fumbles and they have been able to obtain 218 1st downs. When looking at how much they score, the Golden Gophers rank 116th in D-1 averaging 20.2 points per game. During this campaign thus far, the Golden Gophers have a total of 1,838 passing yards as well as an average of 153.2 passing yards per contest, which ranks 126th in D-1.

Minnesota has yielded a total of 1,856 yards on the ground (154.7 yards per outing) and 17 touchdowns via the rush for the year. They have conceded 22 touchdowns from the passing game in addition to 219.2 yards per game, which puts them in 59th in D-1. Their defense has earned 7 fumbles and 12 picks so far this season. The Golden Gophers defense has taken the field for 746 plays, which ranks them 17th in the country. The Golden Gophers are surrendering 26.9 points per contest, which has them 71st in the country. This season, they have given up 323 points in total.

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

Tony's Pick: Take the Falcons +7

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