Media Prediction Thread: Buffalo at Minnesota

[BleedGopher]

CFN first out of the gate:

Minnesota vs Buffalo Prediction, Betting Lines​

Minnesota 37, Buffalo 10
Consensus Line: Minnesota -18.5, o/u: 44.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3
Must See Rating: 2.5

https://collegefootballnews.com/college-football/minnesota-vs-buffalo-prediction-preview-betting-lines-2025

Go Gophers!!

 

[IceBoxGopher]

It's game week -

College Football News has Minnesota winning 37-10
Minnesota only got to five yards per carry once last season. The overall results weren't as good, but the 2023 team was far better on the ground, and the 2022 team that won nine games got to five yards or more seven times.

There might be a decent balance, but when push comes to shove, the Bulls will get shoved. It won't be easy, but the Gophers will control the tempo as the game goes on.

OddShark is predicting a Golden Gophers victory of 25-21
Minnesota will Win, Buffalo will Cover, and the Total will go Over.

 

[Gophers7NatTitlesBadgers0]

It's game week -

College Football News has Minnesota winning 37-10
Minnesota only got to five yards per carry once last season. The overall results weren't as good, but the 2023 team was far better on the ground, and the 2022 team that won nine games got to five yards or more seven times.

There might be a decent balance, but when push comes to shove, the Bulls will get shoved. It won't be easy, but the Gophers will control the tempo as the game goes on.

OddShark is predicting a Golden Gophers victory of 25-21
Minnesota will Win, Buffalo will Cover, and the Total will go Over.

I know Buffalo is supposed to be a good MAC team this year, but if the Gophers D gives up three TDs to them, there might be some issues I wasn't expecting.

 

[TwistingMyMelon]

I know Buffalo is supposed to be a good MAC team this year, but if the Gophers D gives up three TDs to them, there might be some issues I wasn't expecting.

Yes, I would be surprised if Buffalo scores three touchdowns but I might be even more surprised if the Gophers score 37 as CFN predicts.

We know from past history that, unless the opponent is pretty weak (like New Mexico State a couple of times), Fleck plays the opening game pretty conservatively on offense.

 

[IceBoxGopher]

Yes, I would be surprised if Buffalo scores three touchdowns but I might be even more surprised if the Gophers score 37 as CFN predicts.

We know from past history that, unless the opponent is pretty weak (like New Mexico State a couple of times), Fleck plays the opening game pretty conservatively on offense.

It's certainly varied, but I think it's worth noting that four of Fleck's season openers have been against P4 teams, making them more likely to be close. Here are the non-con/season opener results. Overall, more often than not they have won by 10 or more against non-P4 teams, save 2019.

• 2017 Vs. Buffalo, Won 17-7 (Non Con Opener)
• 2017 @ Oregon State, Won 48-14
• 2017 Vs. Middle Tennessee, Won 34-3
• 2018 Vs. New Mexico State, Won 48-10 (Non Con Opener)
• 2018 Vs. Fresno State, Won 21-14
• 2018 Vs. Miami OH, Won 26-3
• 2019 Vs. South Dakota State, Won 28-21 (Non Con Opener)
• 2019 @ Fresno State, Won 38-35
• 2019 Vs. Georgia Southern, Won 35-32
• 2020 Vs. No. 18 Michigan, lost 49-24 (Big Ten Season Opener)
• 2021 Vs. Ohio State, lost 45-31 (Big Ten Season Opener)
• 2021 Vs. Miami OH, Won 31-26
• 2021 @ Colorado, Won 30-0
• 2021 Vs. Bowling Green, Lost 14-10
• 2022 Vs. New Mexico State, Won 38-0 (Non Con Opener)
• 2022 Vs. Western Illinois, Won 62-10
• 2022 Vs. Colorado, Won 49-7
• 2023 Vs. Nebraska, Won 13-10 (Big Ten Season Opener)
• 2023 Vs. Eastern Michigan, Won 25-6
• 2023 @ No. 20 North Carolina, Lost 31-13
• 2023 Vs. Louisiana, Won 35-24
• 2024 Vs. North Carolina, Lost 19-17 (Non Con Opener)
• 2024 Vs. Rhode Island, Won 48-0
• 2024 Vs. Nevada, Won 27-0

Fleck Season Opener Record: 5-3
Fleck Non-Con Record: 18-3

 

[Dano564]

Kent State and three other MAC teams played Buffalo last November.
Kent State was horrible and down to their 3rd or 4th QB.

Here is how the other 3 QB's faired against the vaunted Buffalo defense which returns 9 players.

I don't "EXPECT" a 300 yard game from Drake, but will be a bit disappointed if he doesn't have one.

 

[mngg11]

Kent State and three other MAC teams played Buffalo last November.
Kent State was horrible and down to their 3rd or 4th QB.

Here is how the other 3 QB's faired against the vaunted Buffalo defense which returns 9 players.

I don't "EXPECT" a 300 yard game from Drake, but will be a bit disappointed if he doesn't have one.

I anticipate Fleck will shut the offense down if we go up by three possessions at any point. Unless our defense is Swiss cheese, I don't see Drake setting any records in this game. Based on this, I really don't want him to

 

[Dano564]

I anticipate Fleck will shut the offense down if we go up by three possessions at any point. Unless our defense is Swiss cheese, I don't see Drake setting any records in this game. Based on this, I really don't want him to

I want four first half TD passes, and another one on the opening drive of the third quarter.

 

[jonnyganas]

I anticipate Fleck will shut the offense down if we go up by three possessions at any point. Unless our defense is Swiss cheese, I don't see Drake setting any records in this game. Based on this, I really don't want him to

Fleck says we're going to the CFP, so that means Indiana style running up the score this year!

But also, they need to test Drake in this first game to give him the experience and confidence to build upon later in the season.

 

[IceBoxGopher]

Some more predictions to start the work week.

Gophers on SI has Minnesota winning 24-10
Buffalo is one of the better G5 teams in the country, and they could make serious noise in the MAC this season. The Gophers are simply a better football team, with far more playmakers on both sides of the ball. However, with all their new changes, I expect we could see a slow start to the season with a Big Ten-MAC dog fight in Week 1, and Minnesota sneaks by with a close win.

MAC SB Nation has Minnesota winning 24-14
While Buffalo should provide some resistance, countering Darius Taylor and this Minnesota offensive line isn’t a simple task in Week 1. But the defining matchup will be occur on the other side of the ball where Minnesota’s suffocating defense can prevent Buffalo from generating more than two scoring drives.

NewsNet5 has the Gophers ultimately winning
Buffalo’s methodical offense will try to control the clock and limit turnovers, but Minnesota’s physicality and depth should ultimately prevail, especially covering the large spread. The Bulls may keep the game respectable early on, but expect the Golden Gophers to pull away late behind balanced offensive production and a resilient defense.

Picks and Parlays is going with Minnesota, 34-10
The Minnesota Golden Gophers have a few question marks on both sides of the line of scrimmage, but will be strong enough on opening night to easily defeat the Buffalo Bulls. Minnesota's front seven looks strong on defense, while the secondary may be suspect, but against an inferior opponent such as Buffalo will not have much to worry about on Thursday.