The Bulls are traveling to face off with the Minnesota Gophers in the regular season opener for both teams and Minnesota enters as a big-time favorite. The Gophers are from a bigger conference and have grander expectations this season, and will aim to get off to a quick start.
This matchup in Week 1 of the regular season will take place on Thursday, August 31, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
NFL Opening Odds at BookMaker.eu
Buffalo +26
Minnesota -26
Over/Under 51.5
Odds Analysis
Minnesota would be favored on the road in this one but the spread if huge with the Gophers at home. Even though Minnesota will need to pile on the points in order to cover, the majority of the early money believes that will happen.
Buffalo’s offense could struggle to score and the game will be shortened if both sides run the ball a lot, which is why the scoring total is low for a college game. The majority of the early action is hitting the “under” on the total.
Matchup to Watch
Minnesota running backs against the Buffalo rush defense -- The Gophers have one of the better duos in the Big Ten in Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks. Smith ran for 1,158 yards and 16 touchdowns a season ago and could be even better in 2017. Brooks added 650 rushing yards and five touchdowns a season ago, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they combined for 2,000 rushing yards on the season.
Buffalo does not seem like it will have the players to slow them down in this one. The Bulls are hoping to build a better defense but a player like Mack was a once-in-a-lifetime talent for a small college like this and it figures to give up big chunks on the ground.
Minnesota’s success this season will hinge on the development of the passing game, but that won’t matter too much in this matchup as the running backs will do plenty to aide the victory.
Player to Watch
Tyree Jackson -- Buffalo’s quarterback is 6-foot-7 and surprisingly elusive for that size. He had a below average season in 2016, throwing for 1,772 yards with nine touchdowns and nine interceptions. He added 399 rushing yards and five scores on the ground and will aim to do more of both this season.
Jackson is losing most of his top targets through the air, so it could be a dicey proposition in the opener against Minnesota, especially because he figures to face a lot of pressure. The Bulls aren’t going to win this game, but the only way they stay close is if Jackson can make enough plays with his arm and his leg to help Buffalo find the end zone a few times.
Free ATS Pick
Minnesota has a huge upper hand and will aim to start the season quickly with an easy win. The Gophers aren’t likely to be threatened, but if they hiccup a few times offensively in the first half, covering the spread won’t be easy.
Take the Gophers to win but Buffalo should do enough to cover. The “under” is the right call in what could be a pretty boring affair.
College Football Odds: Minnesota 34, Buffalo 12
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