Media Prediction Thread: Buffalo at Minnesota

Donate To GopherHole

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.
 

IceBoxGopher said:
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 

Gophers7NatTitlesBadgers0 said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 

TwistingMyMelon said:
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.
Click to expand...
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
 


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.
 

Attachments

  • Buffalo defense passing nov 2024.png
    Buffalo defense passing nov 2024.png
    29 KB · Views: 12

Dano564 said:
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.
Click to expand...
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😅
 

mngg11 said:
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😅
Click to expand...
I want four first half TD passes, and another one on the opening drive of the third quarter.
 

mngg11 said:
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😅
Click to expand...
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.
 



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.
 

On3 chimes in:

Week 1: vs Buffalo​

Minnesota starts the 2025 season off this Thursday against Buffalo. The Bulls are coming off a strong 9-4 campaign in 2024 and look primed to make noise in the MAC this season. While Pete Lembo’s squad could give the Gophers some fits early on, talent will win out in this one. We expect the Gophers to cruise to victory, perhaps after a slower start.


Prediction: 34-13 Minnesota
Record: 1-0

www.on3.com

Predicting Minnesota's 2025 season game-by-game

Gophers Nation predicts Minnesota's 2025 schedule game-by-game. Who will the Gophers beat? Who will trip them up?
www.on3.com www.on3.com

Go Gophers!!
 

The Pioneer Press is predicting a 28-16 victory on Thursday.
Minnesota Offense Vs. Buffalo Defense: Redshirt freshman QB Drake Lindsey’s first collegiate start will come against a veteran defense. The Bulls have nine returning starters and “looked like the best defense in the (MAC) coming out of spring,” one MAC assistant coach told Athlon Sports. A running game from Darius Taylor will be foundational. Transfer WRs Javon Tracy (Miami of Ohio) and Logan Loya (UCLA) should be reliable targets for Lindsey. EDGE: Minnesota

Minnesota Defense Vs. Buffalo Offense: Nomad transfer QB Ta’Quan Roberson takes over at Buffalo after stints at Penn State, Connecticut and Kansas State. His one significant stretch of playing time came at UConn in 2023, where he completed 58% for 2,075 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions in 11 games. Elusive slot WR Victor Snow is the No. 1 target and will be a handful for the Gophers’ new stable of CBs. Za’Quon Bryan is expected to start, while John Nestor, Mike Gerald (and perhaps Jaylen Bowden) will split time at the other CB spot. DE Anthony Smith, who had a team-high 6 1/2 sacks last year, will likely be matched up on the Bulls inexperienced right tackle Gabriel Arena. EDGE: Minnesota

Special teams: The Gophers and Bulls both replaced its placekicker and punter this season. Syracuse transfer Brady Denaburg is the front runner for Gophers’ kicker, while punter hasn’t been as clear cut. Ouachita Baptist transfer Tom Weston might be the starter. Expect sophomore standout Koi Perich to shine on punt and kick returns after putting up 502 yards last year. EDGE: Minnesota

Prediction: The Gophers have gotten off to slower starts the last two years — 13-10 win over Nebraska in 2023 and a 19-17 loss to North Carolina in 2024 — but they avoid another letdown to a MAC school (see: 14-10 loss to Bowling Green in 2021). Gophers win 28-16.
 

Against the Spread has Minnesota winning 38-24
Minnesota should be able to win this game without too much trouble. They will be the more physical team in this game and that should help Lindsey make the transition into being their starting quarterback.

But I think this game will be a little bit closer than the point spread thanks to the potential for a slow start on offense for the Golden Gophers. I’ll take the points with Buffalo in a game that should be decided by about two touchdowns.

Scores and Stats is picking the Gophers, 30-20
Minnesota has the higher ceiling, but both teams are breaking in new quarterbacks, and Buffalo’s running game gives them enough stability to keep this within the number. Expect a hard-fought opener, with the Gophers pulling away late.

Here are the picks from Gophers on SI
Tony Liebert 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.

Joe Nelson goes with Minnesota, 62-6
Don't be fooled by any hype you see about Buffalo boasting two solid edge rushers and a linebacker who led the nation in forced fumbles last season. The Bulls won nine games in 2024, but they were beating up terrible teams while struggling against quality competition.
Minnesota could easily push 500 yards of total offense in this opener, and I fully expect Darius Taylor and A.J. Turner to combine for 200 yards on the ground.

Drake Lindsey won't need to win this game with his arm, but he'll likely showcase some sizzling skills when he does get to air it out. However, keep your expectations a bit lower for his first college start. Remember how inaccurate Max Brosmer was in his Gophers debut at North Carolina last year? In the end, the Gophers are going to smash Buffalo and do so with a dominant effort on both sides of the ball.

Will Ragtag takes Minnesota, 27-17
The Gophers will win this game, but I’m not sure it’ll be totally smooth or comfortable. Openers can be tough, especially when breaking in a new quarterback. Buffalo looks like one of the best teams in the MAC; the Bulls have playmakers on both sides of the ball who could create problems.

I could see a close halftime score leading to some nerves for Minnesota fans, but the Gophers are too talented not to pull away late. Darius Taylor goes for 140 yards from scrimmage and a pair of touchdowns to kick off the season.

Jonathan Harrison picks Minnesota, 28-14
The Drake Lindsey era kicks off with a win on Thursday night. There will be clunky spots with a lot of moving parts this offseason, and a decent Buffalo squad will keep it close throughout the game. Ultimately, Minnesota builds some early confidence with a season-opening win.
 



someone get a fire extinguisher on Joe Nelson. He may spontaneously combust and it is only game 1.
 

Joe Nelson must not like Fleck trying to put him in an uncomfortable spot not covering the spread.
Won't work.
 

The Daily Gopher (SB Nation) picks Minnesota to win, 23-13
Historically under head coach P.J. Fleck, the Gophers have played some of their sloppiest football in the season opener. With a first-year quarterback making his first career start and a first-year defensive coordinator calling his first game, I don’t expect we’ll see a well-oiled machine taking the field against Buffalo on Thursday. But this is still a game Minnesota should win comfortably, even if it is closer than fans would like in the first half.

Tony’s Picks has Minnesota winning 27-17
Buffalo enters hot, with an experienced quarterback and a strong run game behind Henderson. Minnesota has the stronger defense and talent edge, but also a brand-new quarterback making his first real start. If Lindsey struggles early, the Gophers may grind possessions down, limiting scoring chances.

Stat Salt goes with Minnesota coming away with a victory
The Bulls are strong up front but Minnesota has a solid offensive line. Buffalo has talent, but Minnesota has more, and they are more balanced on the defensive side of the ball. The Golden Gophers will run the ball better and their stout defensive line will keep the run in check, which is why they are the pick to win and cover the spread.
 

The Star Tribune has Minnesota winning 24-13
The Gophers found out on Sept. 25, 2021, that a Mid-American Conference opponent shouldn’t be taken lightly. Bowling Green, a 31-point underdog that finished 4-8 that season, stunned Minnesota 14-10.

This Buffalo team is expected to contend for the MAC title, and its veteran defense could test Lindsey. Minnesota, however, has the edge with Taylor at running back, Perich doing his thing and a stout defensive line led by Anthony Smith. The Gophers keep the Bulls at arm’s length to win.

Fox Sports picks Minnesota, 34-15
Last year, the Golden Gophers went 8-5 and won the Duke's Mayo Bowl. Offensively, they averaged 26.2 points per game (79th in college football), and they conceded 16.9 per game (ninth in college football) defensively.

The Bulls went 9-4 last year and won the Bahamas Bowl. They scored 28.8 points per game (59th in college football) and conceded 26.4 (80th). The Golden Gophers have a 90.9% chance to claim victory in this meeting per the moneyline's implied probability.

Lootmeister Sports takes Minnesota, 21-10
Minnesota’s offensive uncertainty with a new QB and Buffalo’s defensive talent make this spread too large. The Bulls have the experience and continuity to keep this within two touchdowns, especially with their ability to control the clock and win the turnover battle.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.



Top Bottom