Quick Lane Bowl: Bowling Green Falcons vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers Preview
After taking a short break for Christmas, college football bowl season is going to crank right back up on December 26th. The Quick Lane Bowl will feature the Bowling Green Falcons taking on the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
Bowling Green will be representing the Mid-American Conference in this bowl game, and that conference is known to bring some excitement. The Falcons finished the regular season at 7-5, but they were never really a threat to win the conference.
Minnesota actually finished the regular season with a record of 5-7, and they were lucky to make it to a bowl game. The Golden Gophers were given a spot because of their graduation rate, but they could now end the year with a win.
Minnesota is coming into the Quick Lane Bowl as a 3.5-point betting favorite in this matchup.
Falcons Flying on Offense
The Bowling Green Falcons are scoring nearly 26 points per game this season, but they recently had a few games of scoring over 40 points. Bowling Green sometimes struggles to run the football, but they can pick up yards through the air.
The Falcons are averaging 11.6 yards per reception this season, and they are always looking to hit on some big plays. Bowling Green won’t want to wait around and give Minnesota a chance to win this matchup.
This defense is going to be tested in a big way in this game, and that could end up costing them a chance to win the Quick Lane Bowl. Bowling Green can get after the quarterback and that could create some opportunities for takeaways.
Golden Gophers Want to Defend
The Minnesota Golden Gophers offense appeared to be broken this season as the team averaged just 20.2 points per game. Minnesota is going to have to hit on some big plays to win this game, but they will run and try to slow things down.
Running back Darius Taylor is leading the team with 591 rushing yards this season, and Minnesota will be looking to play the field position game. Minnesota isn’t coming into this game with a great defense, but that unit can make some plays.
This Golden Gophers team had to face some great offensive teams in the Big Ten Conference this season, and that will give them an advantage in this game. If Minnesota can come up with some stops then it will give the offense a chance to win.
Bowling Green Battles; Minnesota Wins
Bowling Green had a much better regular season than Minnesota, but the Falcons also played a much easier schedule. This Minnesota team is fortunate to even be in this position, and they are going to take advantage of this big opportunity.
It’s hard to really trust the Minnesota offense this season, but that defense has been able to come up with some big plays. Look for the Golden Gophers to find just enough offense in this game to win, but it’s not going to be easy.
Taking the 3.5-points and betting on Bowling Green is the wager to make, but Minnesota is going to win the Quick Lane Bowl.
