The Guaranteed Rate Bowl will be an interesting matchup. We have the Big 12 going up against the Big Ten in this one. This will be a good game to finish up a busy bowl day with. The matchup is between West Virginia (6-6) and Minnesota (8-4). This power five matchup will be an intriguing one with both teams looking to finish the season on the right note. With that being said here is my preview for the Guaranteed Rate Bowl.
West Virginia
This West Virginia team will rely heavily on their quarterback Jarret Doege in this one. The Mountaineers starting running back Leddie Brown opted out of the bowl game. Brown is the team’s leading rusher and the running game just won’t be the same without him. So with the lack of a running game that West Virginia will have in this one it is going to put a lot of pressure only Jarret Doege and this offensive line. The Mountaineer offensive line has struggled mightily this season. They have allowed 33 sacks this season and with the lack of running game that they will have, Doege will have little to no time to throw the football. Doege will need to have a game in this matchup in order to keep West Virginia in the game.
The West Virginia defense can only do so much in a game like this. They allow 362.9 total yards of offense per game. However they play a lot better at home than they do on the road. On the road this defense gives up 28.3 points per game, at home this defense gives up 20.3 points per game. That eight point difference is crucial in a game like this. West Virginia is going to rely on their defense to do above and beyond to get the job done in this one.
Minnesota
Minnesota was banged up a bunch this season. A lot of injuries to the backfield and this team still managed to win six out of their last eight games. This Golden Gopher offense averaged 193.9 rushing yards per game and averages just above 26 points per game as well. Tanner Morgan is their starting quarterback and he has had a really down season in 2021. Morgan threw for only 1,935 passing yards to go along with 10 passing touchdowns and eight interceptions. This is the same Tanner Morgan who threw for 30 passing touchdowns to 7 interceptions two seasons ago. It isn’t a good look for Minnesota’s offense, but they have found ways to get the job done.
One of the ways that they have gotten to eight wins on the season is because of this fantastic defense. This Golden Gopher defense allows just under 300 total yards of offense per game (20th in the nation). They also allow 100.2 rushing yards per game (20th in the nation) and 184.2 passing yards per game (32nd in the nation). This defense also gives up less than 20 points per game which is a fantastic feat in this. Minnesota would not be an eight win team without this defense and a big credit goes to P.J. Fleck for that one.
Prediction:
Minnesota is a five point favorite with the over/under set at 45. The total could go either way, but the lean is definitely the under. My play is simple and easy and it is none other than Minnesota -5. Golden Gophers are the better team and we will see it in the bowl matchup. Don’t overthink it, just take the Golden Gophers to roll the Mountaineers.
-Chris Jones (@cjoneswho1212)
Featured Image (Si.com)
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