Media Prediction Thread: Fresno State at Minnesota

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What’s Going To Happen

Fresno State is for real, and it’s about to show it.

Yeah, Annexstad was strong, but he missed more than half of his throws. This week, he’s going to be under pressure, the Bulldogs will be able to slow down Smith, and they’ll win the turnover battle.

It’ll be a frustrating day of missed chances for the Gophers.

The offense that was so balanced and so sharp against New Mexico State is going to hit a wall too many times, McMaryion will be great, and Jeff Tedford’s team will come up with the type of win that shows just how strong a player it’ll be in the Mountain West race.

Fearless Prediction & Line

Fresno State 27, Minnesota 23
Line: Minnesota -2.5, o/u: 47.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 1.5

https://collegefootballnews.com/2018/09/minnesota-vs-fresno-state-fearless-prediction-game-preview
 

Full-Game Side Bet
Rating:4 Stars

The Bulldogs will bring in a very experienced team to Minneapolis and this should end up being a very fun game to watch. That being said, Fresno State probably won’t capitalize on as many turnovers, and this is a significantly tougher test. The Gophers will overpower them with their physical play.

Prediction: Minnesota -2.5

https://winnersandwhiners.com/games...dium=referral&utm_campaign=inner-article-link
 


Fresno Bee chimes in via a Q&A with the Daily:

Speed Round Predictions from Kuwada:

1. Fresno State's final record – 10-2

2. Best offensive player – Netane Muti, tackle

3. Best defensive player – Jeff Allison, linebacker

4. Mountain West champion – Boise State

5. National Championship – Alabama

6. Game prediction – 28-23 Fresno State

http://www.mndaily.com/article/2018/09/s-questions-from-the-other-side-robert-kuwada

Go Gophers!!
 


Stewart Mandel, The Athletic

Upset special: Fresno State (+2.5) at Minnesota | 7:30 p.m. ET, FS1
Gophers freshman QB Zack Annexstad had a solid debut in last week’s rout of New Mexico State, but this week he and running back Rodney Smith face one of last season’s top-20 defenses. Fresno State put up 79 points last week against Idaho. The Bulldogs might be a legit New Year’s Six contender. Fresno State 32, Minnesota 20
 


Bleacher Report

Fresno State (1-0) at Minnesota (1-0), 7:30 p.m. ET

What's next, Zack Annexstad? The true freshman walk-on totaled 220 yards and two touchdowns in a 48-10 rout of New Mexico State. That was an encouraging debut. However, Fresno State will be a much greater test for Minnesota's defense, and the Gophers might need a clutch drive from Annexstad to survive.

Prediction: Fresno State 27, Minnesota 24

https://bleacherreport.com/articles...icks-week-2-predictions-for-every-game#slide7
 

The Daily Gopher chimes in: https://www.thedailygopher.com/2018/9/6/17814304/minnesota-football-week-one-preview-fresno-state

Brace yourselves, because I think this is where a young and inexperienced Minnesota squad learns a hard lesson. Fresno State is talented and experience, and the Gophers possess the former but not the latter, at least at this point in the season. The Bulldogs’ formidable defense, especially, will present a challenge for a Minnesota offense that still needs time to grow and develop. The Gophers will also have their hands full on defense trying to contain a Fresno State offense that looked like a well-oiled machine in their season debut. Ultimately, I have to give the edge to the Bulldogs. Fresno State 31, Minnesota 24.

And https://www.thedailygopher.com/2018...redictions-odds-streaming-tv-schedule-preview

Fresno State 27 - Minnesota 21

You can’t will them all. I look forward to be very wrong. /fingers crossed
 
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MLive: https://www.mlive.com/expo/sports/erry-2018/09/312e55698c1006/big-ten-picks-mlives-predictio.html

Yes, it was just FCS-level Idaho last week, but Fresno State put up 79 points in its Week 1 win. The Bulldogs had 54 players of 20-plus yards last season, so it will be a stiff test for P.J. Fleck's defense. In Fleck fashion, Minnesota was able to rack up 295 rushing yards in a 48-10 win over New Mexico State last week. This game might fall in the Gophers' inexperienced QB's hands, though. Fresno State 31, Minnesota 24
 


I'm just not convinced of Fresno's ability to stop the run. Turnover battle decides this game, IMO.
 




CBS Sportsline has Fresno ranked 42
We are 56
 

I don't know why everyone's up in arms here. All Summer long it was clear that this game would be a defining one for us. Fresno St is no joke, and I have always anticipated a loss. If we pull out a victory, I think it will be a bigger statement than people realize (considering a week two game).
 

Makes me want to watch this game that much more!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Athlon chimes in again with a more detailed prediction:

Final Analysis

From coaching right down to talent, these teams are pretty equal. As stated earlier, if you like points -- this one will be fun. I see Fresno State taking an early lead and holding onto it for most of the game. In the second half, look for Minnesota's defense to buckle down and make a couple of key stops to change momentum. Minnesota safety Antoine Winfield -- one of the best defenders in the Big Ten -- will play a key role down the stretch. Look for him to make a big play on defense or special teams that ultimately swings this one in favor of the Gophers.

Prediction: Minnesota 41, Fresno State 34

https://athlonsports.com/college-fo...innesota-golden-gophers-prediction-picks-2018

Go Gophers!!
 

magpie said:
I don't know why everyone's up in arms here. All Summer long it was clear that this game would be a defining one for us. Fresno St is no joke, and I have always anticipated a loss. If we pull out a victory, I think it will be a bigger statement than people realize (considering a week two game).
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Agreed with this.
 

magpie said:
I don't know why everyone's up in arms here. All Summer long it was clear that this game would be a defining one for us. Fresno St is no joke, and I have always anticipated a loss. If we pull out a victory, I think it will be a bigger statement than people realize (considering a week two game).
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Who are you referring to? I don't see that at all.
 

magpie said:
I don't know why everyone's up in arms here. All Summer long it was clear that this game would be a defining one for us. Fresno St is no joke, and I have always anticipated a loss. If we pull out a victory, I think it will be a bigger statement than people realize (considering a week two game).
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This is the Gopherhole message board that's why.
 

MWCConnection chimes in:

Overall Prediction:
Look for this to be a much closer game for both teams after Week 1 tune-ups. Vegas has set the line at 2.5 for the Gophers, although that includes 3 points for home field. So they’re calling it a toss-up, and the stats look at it similar ways. FPI has the Bulldogs as very slight underdogs, and S&P+ has them as slight favorites. Don’t think anyone expects a blowout in either direction, which sounds about right. I do think the Dogs have the advantage here on both sides of the ball, and will pull out the win. Minnesota will put up a heck of a fight, but Tedford and Co are too much for the Gophers. Bulldogs 31-21.

https://www.mwcconnection.com/2018/9/6/17829332/fresno-state-minnesota-game-preview

Go Gophers!!
 


Thinking back to non-conference reference points:

A middle of the pack B1G Gophers team hung (somewhat) tough at home with a top 10-15 TCU team in 2015-16.

30-23 win at home over a not-too-shabby (average to mediocre for power 5) 2016-17 Oregon State team at home.

Minnesota still has the better talent on paper + home crowd. Expecting a close win.
 
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BleedGopher said:
Athlon chimes in again with a more detailed prediction:

Final Analysis

From coaching right down to talent, these teams are pretty equal. As stated earlier, if you like points -- this one will be fun. I see Fresno State taking an early lead and holding onto it for most of the game. In the second half, look for Minnesota's defense to buckle down and make a couple of key stops to change momentum. Minnesota safety Antoine Winfield -- one of the best defenders in the Big Ten -- will play a key role down the stretch. Look for him to make a big play on defense or special teams that ultimately swings this one in favor of the Gophers.

Prediction: Minnesota 41, Fresno State 34

https://athlonsports.com/college-fo...innesota-golden-gophers-prediction-picks-2018

Go Gophers!!
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it's ridiculous enough to predict the score and winner (although fun), but "look for drive 2 of the second half to be a turning point" gets pretty absurd.
 


bfast said:
Thinking back to non-conference reference points:

A middle of the pack B1G Gophers team hung (somewhat) tough at home with a top 10-15 TCU team in 2015-16.

30-23 win at home over a not-too-shabby (average to mediocre for power 5) 2016-17 Oregon State team at home.

Minnesota still has the better talent on paper + home crowd. Expecting a close win.
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4-8 is average to mediocre for P5?
 

patrick08 said:
This is the Gopherhole message board that's why.
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I'm still trying to figure out who's up in arms here? It's a running joke that whenever someone predicts a Gophers loss, they are a jerk, dink, etc. No one is surprised by most predictions saying it will be a close game.
 

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Great to hear things like this !
 


Not seeing any Herbstreit "Minnesota is my B1G sleeper team" follow up yet...
 

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