In this article, we will formulate a Buffalo vs Minnesota Prediction for this College Football Week 1 game on Thursday, August 28th at the Protective Stadium. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this College Football matchup.
Minnesota Golden Gophers Preview
Minnesota had an 8-5 overall record and a 5-4 conference record last season in the Big Ten, having a 4-3 home record. Offensively last season, the Golden Gophers scored 24.3 points per game, while allowing 18.3 points per game defensively. Minnesota averaged 115.6 rushing yards and 222.2 passing yards per game last season. They allowed 109.6 rushing yards per game and 176.1 passing yards per game.
Max Brosmer led the Golden Gophers last season with 273/412 completed passes and 2,888 total passing yards. He also had 20 touchdowns, 6 interceptions and 26 sacks. Darius Taylor led the team in rushing yards, with 986 and 10 touchdowns, while Daniel Jackson caught 75 passes for a team-high 863 receiving yards, and had 4 touchdowns.
Defensively, Cody Lindenberg had a team-high 94 total tackles, 45 of them solo, and 2 interceptions, while Devon Williams had a team-high 6 total sacks.
Buffalo Bulls Preview
Buffalo had a 9-4 overall record and a 6-2 conference record last season in the MAC, having a 4-3 road record. Offensively last season, the Bulls scored 28.8 points per game, while allowing 27.3 points per game defensively. Buffalo averaged 169.1 rushing yards and 186.3 passing yards per game last season. They allowed 146.6 rushing yards per game and 245.2 passing yards per game.
C.J. Ogbonna led the Bulls last season with 194/347 completed passes and 2,422 total passing yards. He also had 19 touchdowns, 6 interceptions and 21 sacks. Al-Jay Henderson led the team in rushing yards, with 1,078 and 9 touchdowns, while Victor Snow caught 55 passes for a team-high 651 receiving yards, and had 6 touchdowns.
Defensively, Shaun Dolac had a team-high 168 total tackles, 81 of them solo, and 5 interceptions, while Kobe Stewart had a team-high 9.5 total sacks.
Why the Minnesota Golden Gophers will win
- Minnesota has won each of its last nine home openers as a favorite.
- Buffalo has lost each of its last four games against opponents from the Big Ten Conference.
- Minnesota has covered the spread in eight of its last nine games.
- Minnesota has won the first half in each of its last seven Thursday games against non-conference opponents.
- Minnesota has won the first quarter in four of its last five games against opponents from the Mid-American Conference at Huntington Bank Stadium.
Why the Buffalo Bulls will win
- Buffalo has won each of its last five games.
- Buffalo has covered the spread in each of its last five season openers.
- Minnesota has failed to cover the spread in six of its last seven games against opponents from the Mid-American Conference at Huntington Bank Stadium.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Buffalo’s last six games as an underdog have gone OVER the total points line.
- Six of Minnesota’s last seven season openers as a favorite have gone UNDER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- Minnesota ranked 1st among FBS teams for 4th down conversion percentage last season (90.9).
- Minnesota ranked 4th among FBS teams for 1st downs against last season (208).
- Buffalo ranked 120th among FBS teams for 3rd down conversion percentage last season (33.7).
- Buffalo ranked T18th among FBS teams for Q1 opponent points per game last season (3.4).
Buffalo vs Minnesota Prediction
In their only previous meeting back in 2017, Minnesota won 17-7 at home, but Buffalo managed to cover the spread, as the game went under the total.
In this Buffalo vs Minnesota Prediction, Minnesota is coming as -18-point favorites. Minnesota had a weaker offense last season, scoring 4.5 points less than Buffalo, but had a strong defense, allowing 9 points less than Buffalo. They had less rushing yards, but more passing yards, and they were better both in passing and rushing yards against. Minnesota is rightfully favored at home, as they player the season opener in front of their home crowd, but laying such a big number in the first game of a College Football game is an exaggeration. Take the Buffalo Bulls and the +18 points in this one.