Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Virginia Tech Hokies 1/3/25 – The Minnesota Golden Gophers and Virginia Tech Hokies will be meeting in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl to mark the start of their second-to-last stage of the game. Looking at past performances, this looks like an exciting match as both teams will look to win this game and put an end to what has been a wonderful season overall. So let’s get into the details.
Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Virginia Tech Hokies 1/3/25
| When: | Friday, January 3, 2025 at 7:30 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Where: | Bank of America Stadium |
| TV: | ESPN |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Gophers | -9 (-110) | Over 42.5 (-110) | -380 |  |
| Tech Hokies | +9 (-110) | Under 42.5 (-110) | +290 | |
| ||||
Minnesota IS Duke's Country‼️ Officially headed to Charlotte! #RTB #SkiUMah #Gophers
BOWL CENTRAL: https://t.co/XHKlr2pRQY pic.twitter.com/twXK0ZND8x
— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) December 8, 2024
The Golden Gophers come into this game as heavy favorites, marked by their substantial -380 moneyline and a 9-point spread advantage. Given their strong ATS performance this season, bettors might find value here. The total is pegged at 42.5, reflecting expectations of a moderately scoring game.
Max Brosmer QB vs. William Watson III QB
For the sake of Minnesota, Max Brosmer proved to be quite useful, having completed 66.8 percent of his attempts for 2,617 passing yards in the current season. He has played well as he was involved in many tactical and key passes, which is the mark of a good quarterback. He was sacked 25 times in total, but his toughness and being able to win the game under duress seem to be the attributes that might help the Golden Gophers.
On the flip side, William Watson III, although a raw player, has provided some promise in the Virginia Tech side. Watson might be able to perform some magic with the balls despite having less accuracy rate and less time on the pitch due to the fact that he has attempted a higher number of balls yards-wise (8.7) as well as his longest pass being 66 yards.
Golden Gophers in Focus
The performances of the Minnesota Golden Gophers have been mixed. Recent wins such as the 48-23 demolition of Maryland showcase their offensive power, thanks to explosive runs from Darius Taylor and reliable hands from Daniel Jackson. Even so, losses suffered at the hands of Penn State and Rutgers reveal some consistency issues that they need to work on.
Hokies’ Recent Battles
Although Virginia Tech has not set the world on fire as underdog teams, they still had some highs. Their recent victory against Virginia by 37-17 comes as a testament to their capability of putting up big scores on the board. Bhayshul Tuten has been instrumental, bringing together over 1,159 rushing yards this season, and on the other hand, he will have to deal with the tough Minnesota defense.
Trends
Minnesota Golden Gophers Betting Trends
Golden Gophers are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games.
Minnesota is 5-2 SU in their last 7 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota’s last 5 games against an opponent in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Minnesota is 4-8 SU in their last 12 games played on a Friday.
Golden Gophers are 7-1 SU in their last 8 games when playing as the favourite.
Virginia Tech Hokies Betting Trends
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Virginia Tech’s last 16 games.
Total has gone OVER in 6 of Virginia Tech’s last 7 games against an opponent in the Big Ten conference.
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Virginia Tech’s last 8 games played in January.
Virginia Tech is 1-5 SU in their last 6 games played on a Friday.
Virginia Tech is 2-13 SU in their last 15 games when playing as the underdog.
Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Virginia Tech Hokies Betting Prediction
Due to statistical records and trends, it seems that Minnesota is likely to cover the spread as a result of their good ATS record and Virginia Tech’s failure to win as underdogs. It is still possible that the total would also shoot on the lower side because Temple and Arkansas State have had high-scoring games, but when they compete at the bowl games, they usually play safely.
Considering the turnovers and some other factors, the Gophers have played much more consistently this season, so it can be said that they are to get the win, although Watson could help in making the game more entertaining if he is available.
Score Prediction: Minnesota Golden Gophers 27, Virginia Tech Hokies 17.
Hilbert Mayer
Sports Writer
Hilbert Mayer is a professional sports writer, betting analyst, and content strategist with over 15 years of experience in the sports industry. Before focusing on sports betting analysis and handicapping, Hilbert worked as a sports writer for various news outlets, covering everything from game recaps to in-depth matchup features. Today, he specializes in MLB, NFL, March Madness, and UFC betting, combining his journalistic background with deep statistical expertise and real-world betting insights. His proven track record, sharp reads, and ability to break down complex matchups make him a trusted voice among both casual bettors and seasoned sharps.
Published on: January 3, 2025
Last updated: March 28, 2025