New Mexico vs Minnesota (1:30pm)

Will Minnesota Win their 9 Staight Bowl Game?

The 2025 Rate Bowl pits the Minnesota Golden Gophers (7-5, Big Ten) against the New Mexico Lobos (9-3, Mountain West) in a neutral-site matchup at Chase Field in Phoenix. This is a classic Power vs. Group of 5 clash with intriguing contrasts in styles, experience, and momentum. Minnesota holds several key advantages that should lead to a Gophers victory and extend their historic bowl winning streak.

P.J. Fleck's Perfect Bowl Record

Head coach P.J. Fleck has turned Minnesota into a postseason powerhouse. The Gophers arrive owning the nation’s longest active bowl winning streak at eight games and are a perfect 6–0 in bowl games under Fleck. That run spans a variety of stages, from the Quick Lane Bowl to the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, highlighting Minnesota’s consistency regardless of setting. Fleck’s teams are known for embracing the postseason and finishing seasons with momentum. By comparison, New Mexico is appearing in only its third bowl game since 2008 and its first since 2016.

Superior Talent from Big Ten Competition

Minnesota competed in the rugged Big Ten, facing elite teams like Oregon and Ohio State. Their five losses came against bowl-eligible opponents, proving resilience against top competition. The Gophers' defense led the conference in sacks (3.09 per game) and features standout safety Koi Perich, a rising star who earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors. This unit excels at disrupting quarterbacks and forcing turnovers (+7 margin, 23rd nationally). New Mexico's strong run defense (second in the Mountain West) is notable, but Minnesota's physicality will be too much! Quarterback Drake Lindsey provides poise, throwing for over 2,200 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Turnover Battle and Discipline

The Gophers rank among the best nationally in turnover margin and avoid penalties, a staple of Fleck's disciplined program. New Mexico has shown turnover issues in multiple games this season, struggling when giving the ball away three or more times. Minnesota's opportunistic defense will capitalize, controlling possession and limiting the Lobos' balanced but rhythm-dependent offense.

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Pick: Minnesota -1 (-110)

🍀Best of luck!

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