On Friday night, the Minnesota Golden Gophers and Virginia Tech Hokies duke it out in the penultimate non-playoff bowl game: The Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
The pregame narrative: Virginia Tech will have several glaring absences in this matchup, which has me leaning toward Minnesota on an alt spread. This +275 SGP also features prop picks on Max Brosmer and Elijah Spencer for the Gophers.
Check out my Minnesota vs. Virginia Tech prop picks for the Duke’s Mayo Bowl on Jan. 3.
Minnesota vs. Virginia Tech predictions
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Parlay: Minnesota -5.5 + Brosmer over 189.5 passing yards + Spencer over 49.5 receiving yards (+275)
Minnesota -5.5 (-195): Opt-outs and transfers have ravaged both sides, but I think Virginia Tech was hit particularly hard.
The Hokies are tracking to be down 13-14 starters, including …
- RB1, Bhayshul Tuten (1,159 rush yards)
- WR1, Jaylin Lane (582 scrimmage yards)
- ACC sack leader, Antwaun Powell-Ryland (16.0 sacks)
Two of four starters in the secondary are out, while the other two could miss after entering the transfer portal.
Oh, and starting quarterback Kyron Drones, who’s dealing with multiple injuries, is doubtful.
Minnesota will likely miss eight or nine starters, but its QB1, RB1 and most of the defence is in tact.
Continuity matters to me — as does the Gophers’ shimmering ATS record. Minnesota is 9-2-1 ATS this season, going 4-for-4 when laying six or fewer points.
Other parlay picks
Brosmer over 189.5 passing yards (-175): Again, opt-outs on the Virginia Tech side play a key role in this pick.
Without Powell-Ryland up front, the Hokies lack a game-breaker on the defensive line who would otherwise make Brosmer’s life exceptionally difficult. Minnesota will be without three starters on the offensive line, but Powell-Ryland’s absence eases that concern.
And again, at least half — but potentially all — of Virginia Tech’s starting secondary will sit out.
With all of that in mind, this becomes a very attainable yardage total for Brosmer.
The FCS New Hampshire transfer threw for 190-plus yards in nine of 12 games this season.
Spencer over 49.5 receiving yards (-113): Will Minnesota’s WR1, Daniel Jackson, play in this bowl game? Ryan Burns from 247 Sports doesn’t think so, and that’s a key reason why I like this pick.
Jackson is a target hog, commanding 9.7 looks per game from Brosmer this season. If he opts out, that leaves a lot of vacated opportunities.
I’m hunting WR1 upside for Spencer here. But even if Jackson plays, Spencer has proven he can clear this yardage total.
- 60+ rec. yards in 4/5 games since Week 9
- 7+ targets in 4/5 games since Week 9
- Team-high 75 yards vs. Wisconsin in season finale
Picks made at 9:30 a.m. ET 01/03/2025.
Jordan enjoys writing data-driven game previews and analysis articles — especially for MLB markets or NFL/NBA props. And as a proud Ohio University grad, he’ll always have a soft spot for college sports (especially if the Bobcats are involved). Previous stops include mlb.com, Sportsnet and The Athletic.