New Mexico Lobos (9-3) vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers (7-5)
December 26, 2025 4:30 pm EDT
The Line: Minnesota Golden Gophers -1.5 / New Mexico Lobos +1.5; Over/Under: 42.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The New Mexico Lobos and the Minnesota Golden Gophers meet in the Rate Bowl in college football action from Chase Field on Friday. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Minnesota vs New Mexico Prediction.
New Mexico Lobos Recap
The New Mexico Lobos come into this bowl game on behalf of the Mountain West after going 9-3 in the regular season following a 23-17 win over San Diego State in their season finale.
Lobos In First Bowl Game Since 2016
Jack Layne has thrown for 2,398 yards, 13 touchdowns and 9 interceptions on 65.9% passing while Damon Bankston leads the Lobos in rushing with 578 rushing yards and 5 TDs. D.J. McKinney has 454 rushing yards with 7 TDs and Scottre Humphrey has 349 rushing yards with 5 TDs on the year. Keagan Johnson has a team-high 57 receptions for 730 yards and 3 TDs while Dorian Thomas has 545 receiving yards with 4 TDs and Bankston has 374 receiving yards and 3 TDs. On defense, Jaxton Eck has a team-high 126 total tackles including 64 solo tackles while Keyshawn James-Newby has a team-high 8 sacks and Brett Karhu has 7 sacks. As a unit, New Mexico’s defense has combined for 33 sacks and 9 interceptions so far this season.
Why the New Mexico Lobos will win
- New Mexico has won each of its last six games.
- Minnesota has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games as a favorite.
- New Mexico has covered the spread in five of its last six games against non-conference opponents.
Minnesota Golden Gophers Recap
The Minnesota Golden Gophers come into this Bowl Game on behalf of the Big Ten after going 7-5 in the regular season with a 17-7 win over Wisconsin in their season finale.
Golden Gophers Looking To Stay Unbeaten In Bowls Under Fleck
Drake Lindsey has thrown for 2,235 yards, 16 touchdowns and 6 interceptions on 63.2% passing while Darius Taylor leads Minnesota in rushing with 554 yards and Fame Ijeboi has 441 rushing yards. Le’Meke Brockington has a team-high 46 catches for 484 yards and 4 TDs while Jalen Smith has 355 receiving yards with 2 TDs and Javon Tracy has 439 receiving yards and 6 TDs as well. On defense, Maverick Baranowski has a team-high 86 total tackles while Anthony Smith leads Minnesota with 10.5 sacks and Karter Menz has 5.5 sacks. John Nestor leads Minnesota with 5 interceptions as well on the year. As a unit, Minnesota’s defense has combined for 35 sacks and 8 interceptions so far this season.
Why the Minnesota Golden Gophers will win
- Minnesota has won each of its last eight games at neutral venues.
- Minnesota has covered the spread in seven of its last eight games at neutral venues.
Total Points Facts
- Five of New Mexico’s last six games have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Five of Minnesota’s last six games against opponents from the Mountain West Conference have gone UNDER the total points line.
Minnesota vs New Mexico Prediction
I’m on the Lobos. I think that this game is going to mean the world to New Mexico, as this program hasn’t played in a bowl game in a decade. The fact of the matter is that the Lobos have been a surprise under Eck in year one. The Gophers weren’t impressive down the stretch, and I think the wrong team’s favored here. Give me the Lobos.
