The Minnesota Gophers went 5-7 and looked like they might not be in a bowl game, but not enough teams won 6 games this year to become bowl eligible and the Gophers were invited to the Quick Lane Bowl for strong Academic Progress Rate. Yah, that’s right, strong Academic Progress Rate. Minnesota doesn’t deserve to be in a bowl after a disappointing year, but they are and are ready to tangle with the Central Michigan Chippewas in a Big 10/MAC showdown.
Central Michigan finished the regular season 7-5 but played much better than their record. The Chippewas lost a bunch of close games to stronger teams; they played Oklahoma State tough in the opener, lost on the road in overtime to Syracuse, lost 41-39 at Western Michigan and lost to Toledo 28-23. With any luck at all, they could have finished 9-3. CMU won’t be afraid of Minnesota and their battles with other top teams will serve them well.
Minnesota had a horrible season, going 5-7. Head coach Jerry kill retired midway through the season and they lost five of their last six games. Tough losses to TCU, Ohio State, Michigan and Iowa didn’t help matters and in all it wasn’t much fun for the Minnesota Gophers football team in 2015. They can somewhat salvage their dismal season with a win in the Quick Lane Bowl.
ODDS
Quick Lane Bowl
December 28, 2015
5:00 p.m., ET - ESPN2
Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
Central Michigan Chippewas +6
Minnesota Gophers -6
Game Total
BETTING ANGLE
The game opened with Minnesota favored by six points and a game total of 48 and has not moved. It’s hard to back a Minnesota team that lost 7 games and is lucky to even be in a bowl game. But it’s just as hard to back a MAC team against a Big Ten club that you would think has the edge on overall talent and depth.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Minnesota has lost its last seven bowl games and that’s bad enough, but to lose to a mid-range MAC foe would really sting. Rested and healthy, the Gophers massive offensive line should control the line of scrimmage and create havoc on the under sized Chippewas defensive front seven. Expect the Gophers to play Big Ten ball, pounding the ball right down the throats of Central Michigan. They will control the time of possession and win this game by double digits.
BookMaker opened the spread for this game at -6 in favor of Minnesota. The NCAA lines total
surfaced at 48. Now you can wager in-game while the action unfolds with BookMaker's live betting option.
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