The Virginia Tech Hokies (6-6) head to Charlotte to face the Minnesota Golden Gophers (7-5) in the Mayo Bowl. Minnesota opened as a -4 point favorite and the line has jumped all the way up to -6.5. The Over/Under total opened at 42.5 and has not moved an inch.
Virginia Tech vs Minnesota Odds
Virginia Tech vs Minnesota, Jan. 3, 7:30 pm ET
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Tech | +6.5 (-110) | +180 | O42.5 (-110) |
| Minnesota | -6.5 (-110) | -230 | U42.5 (-110) |
Virginia Tech vs Minnesota: Mayo Bowl Pick
First a quick confession about the Mayo Bowl. It IS my FAVORITE bowl game. Why? My nickname is BIG MAYO! I will put mayo on everything from tuna sandwich to a meatball submarine. Yea, my wife almost divorced me when she found out about my mayo addiction. Enough about me.
Now I gotta tell you why I am an idiot. Put a chunk of change on Virginia Tech to win the National Championship at like 250/1. Sadly, that will now be a donation to my favorite sportsbook. Tech lost QB1 Kyron Drones and QB2 Collin Schlee. Now they'll have to send freshman William Watson out to fight Minnesota, unless Schlee makes a quick recovery.
No QB problems in Minnesota. Senior Max Brosmer is not a superstar and will probably not be drafted, but the kid is solid and doesn't make too many mistakes. Brosmer is completing 66.8% of his passes, has gobbled up 2,617 yards with 17 TDs and 5 INTs. Even better, in his last seven games, Max has thrown 11 TDs against only 1 INT. And the Gophers stay well balanced with RB Darius Taylor carrying the mail. Taylor went off for 143 yards in the last game against Wisconsin and has put 873 yards on the board this season.
Minny coach P.J. Fleck has come up with a mantra for his team, "Row the Boat." According to P.J., it focuses on what you can control — the energy you bring to your life ('the oar') and the sacrifices you are willing to make ('the boat'). With an 87-61 record so far, he is rowing like crazy.
Not over the moon about this game, but there are opt out issues on the Hokies team. Three of Tech's key starters have entered the portal and might not play. That includes the second most important position on offense, starting C Braelin Moore. Also a solid LT in Xavier Chaplin and and a superb CB in Mansoor Delane. All three of these guys are committed or leaning to LSU or Auburn.
After watching the Golden Gophers cover seven of the last eight (88%), gotta believe that Minny is worth a few pennies in this spot.
Pick: Minnesota -6.5
Virginia Tech vs Minnesota Betting Trends
Virginia Tech has hit the Over in seven of the last 10 games.
Minny has covered six of the last seven as a favorite.
Minny has covered seven of its last eight games overall.
