Quick Lane Bowl Odds – Bowling Green vs Minnesota Predictions & Picks

Sep 30, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Bowling Green Falcons quarterback Connor Bazelak (7) passes the ball against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the second half at Hyundai Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY SportsThe 2023 Quick Lane Bowl features Bowling Green vs MinnesotaThe latest odds have the Gophers favored by 3.5 pointsRead below for BGSU vs Minnesota predictions and odds for the Quick Lane Bowl

Minnesota will be turning to a third-string quarterback when it faces Bowling Green of the MAC conference in the Quick Lane Bowl on Boxing Day in Detroit. For that reason, the oddsmakers have installed the Golden Gophers as just 3.5-point favorites against the Falcons.

Let’s get into the Quick Lane Bowl odds, as we offer you our Bowling Green vs Minnesota prediction.

Bowling Green vs Minnesota Odds

In the Quick Lane Bowl odds, the Gophers are slight -175 moneyline favorites, implying there is a 63% chance they win the game outright. The over/under is set at 39.5, while the spread is Minnesota -3.5.

The Quick Lane Bowl will kick off at 2 pm ET on Boxing Day, with ESPN carrying the broadcast. They are offering a $250 sign-up bonus for new customers who sign up at ESPN Bet using promo code ‘DIME‘.

Odds as of December 25, 2023, at the ESPN Bet app. Copy and apply the above promo code when registering at the newly launched ESPN Sportsbook. Bet $10 and unlock the $250 bonus. 

Falcons Underdogs in Quick Lane Bowl

The Bowling Green Falcons enter the Quick Lane Bowl as betting underdogs after posting a 7-5 overall record and 5-3 mark in MAC play this season. BGSU concluded its regular season with a 34-10 victory over Western Michigan in which they held the Broncos to only 258 yards of total offense.

The Falcons’ run defense has been pivotal in the team’s success this season, ranking fifth in the conference with 137.2 yards allowed per game on the ground. They are also only giving up 192.7 pass yards per game, while allowing 23.5 points per contest on average.

𝙉𝙚𝙬𝙨 & 𝙉𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙨:BGSU's defense has 71 sacks since the start of the 2022 season, which is tied for No. 12 nationally over the past two seasons.

The Falcons are currently No. 23 in the nation with 33 sacks after finishing No. 13 a year ago with 38.#ToTheMoon 🟠🟤 pic.twitter.com/trOpfhK5af

— BGSU Football (@BG_Football) December 16, 2023

On offense, the Falcons will be turning to quarterback Connor Bazelak, who has thrown for 9,079 yards and 47 touchdowns with 34 interceptions in his collegiate career. Yes, he’s certainly turnover-prone, but he’s been playing well lately, throwing just one interception in his past five games.

Bazelak’s favorite target at receiver is Harold Fannin Jr., who has caught 39 passes for 573 yards and six TDs this season. On the ground, Terion Stewart leads the Falcons with 762 yards and eight TDs, while Taron Keith has been effective both as a rusher and a receiver out of the backfield.

Stewart is expected to play in the Quick Lane Bowl, but the versatile Keith is one of the Falcons’ few opt outs for the bowl game.

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Should the Gophers be Favored?

Minnesota enters the Quick Lane Bowl as small betting favorites, marking the eighth time this season the Golden Gophers have not been the underdog. The oddsmakers have shortened the line from -6 to -3.5, however, as Minnesota is down to their third-string QB with both their starter and backup entering the transfer portal.

Senior pivot Cole Kramer gets the call in the Quick Lane Bowl following the departures of Athan Kaliakmanis and Drew Viatto. Despite spending five years with the program, Kramer never started a game and has completed just eight passes for 103 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions.

5th-year Senior Cole Kramer will get his first collegiate start on 12/26/23 in Detroit.

• 8/14 (57.1%)• 103 pass yards• 44 carries• 195 rush yards • 4 total TDs

Kaliakmanis attempted 24.5 passes per game this season, so Kramer looks to triple his career numbers 👀 pic.twitter.com/sIT4o1EVwZ

— MSP Athletics (@MSPAthletics) December 8, 2023

The Golden Gophers will need strong play from their run game in this one, which could be possible considering they averaged nearly 150 yards per game on the ground this season. Top running backs Darius Taylor (591 yds) and Jordan Nubin (535 yds) are both expected to play, although freshman Zach Evans (230 yds) has opted out.

Defensively, the Gophers had a relatively poor year by their standards, allowing 373.8 yards and 26.9 points per game. Minnesota’s run defense, in particular, really struggled, allowing 154.7 yards per game on the ground.

Bowling Green vs Minnesota Prediction

It’s hard to know what to expect from Minnesota in the Quick Lane Bowl, considering they are turning to a third-string quarterback. Even with their starter in action this season, PJ Fleck’s squad ranked 12th out of the 14 Big Ten teams in total offense, and 11th in scoring.

Bowling Green’s defense is something we can count on, as the Falcons had a plus-8 turnover margin and 27 takeaways this season. Furthermore, their run defense only allows 3.9 yards per carry on the ground, which is critical with Minnesota likely to rely heavily on its run game.

Minnesota isn’t entering the Quick Lane Bowl with any momentum, as they’ve been outgained 1,821 – 1,112 in total yardage over their past four games. They’ve also only covered the spread in three of their games this year, while BGSU went 8-4 ATS.

It’s the obvious play, but we like the Falcons in the Quick Lane Bowl. These two teams played once in 2021, when the Falcons shocked the country with a 14-10 victory as 31-point underdogs in Minneapolis. We think they get another big win as betting underdogs on Tuesday.

Quick Lane Bowl Picks:

Bowling Green +3.5 (-115)Bowling Green ML (+150)

 

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