The Minnesota Golden Gophers (8-4) and Syracuse Orange (7-5) meet Thursday in the Bronx for the Pinstripe Bowl. Kickoff at Yankee Stadium will be at 2 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Minnesota vs. Syracuse odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
Minnesota was solid down the stretch after a 3-game losing skid in October. The Gophers have gone 4-1 straight-up and 3-2 against the spread over their final 5 games and did not allow more than 16 points in any single game in that span.
Syracuse faltered after a 6-0 start to the season. The Orange did play a tougher slate in the 2nd half of the season, but they have also struggled in stopping the run. Opponents have rushed for 200 or more yards in 4 of the their last 6 games.
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Minnesota vs. Syracuse odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Minnesota -410 (bet $410 to win $100) | Syracuse +320 (bet $100 to win $320)
- Against the spread (ATS): Minnesota -10.5 (-106) | Syracuse +10.5 (-114)
- Over/Under (O/U): 43 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Minnesota vs. Syracuse picks and predictions
Prediction
Minnesota 24, Syracuse 13
Moneyline
Syracuse may have had trouble on offense in this game anyway, but the Orange will be without sophomore RB Sean Tucker (1,060 yards, 11 TDs), who opted out, and offensive coordinator Robert Anae, who has moved on to North Carolina State.
The defense-and-running combo of Minnesota figures to lock this one down nearing a 75% probability. That does not make for any profit margin here.
PASS.
Against the spread
Minnesota is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 bowl games.
Look for early-down success rates — on both sides — to dictate where this one goes — or, how far it goes toward UM. Teams have found a lot of success staying on schedule running the ball against Syracuse.
However, the 10 points are a lot. Minnesota -10 is worth a partial-unit play, but PASS at the current 10.5-points.
Over/Under
The Under is 7-0 in Minnesota’s last 7 December games.
The Gophers’ defense is masterful at turning red-zone trips into field-goal attempts. UM has allowed TDs on just 40% of red-zone possessions; that ranks 4th in the nation.
Look for a first-half Minnesota lead to be boat-raced to the finish line. Row the boat and all. BACK THE UNDER 43 (-110).
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