The Minnesota Golden Gophers (7-5, 5-4 Big Ten) take on the Virginia Tech Hokies (6-6, 4-4 ACC) in the Duke's Mayo Bowl on Friday, Jan. 3. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
The College Football Playoff quarterfinals have come and gone, but we still have a few bowl games to go. One of those is the 2024 Duke's Mayo Bowl.
This is seemingly always an entertaining bowl game, and I don't expect it to play out any differently.
Minnesota enters as a -8.5 favorite with the over/under sitting at 42.5. So, where does the betting value lie, and which side will see its head coach get doused in mayo?
Let's take a look at my Minnesota vs. Virginia Tech predictions and college football picks for the Duke's Mayo Bowl on Friday, Jan. 3.
Minnesota vs. Virginia Tech Prediction, Best Bet
- Minnesota vs. Virginia Tech Pick: Minnesota -8.5
My Virginia Tech vs. Minnesota best bet is on the Gophers to cover the spread, with the best line currently available at ESPN Bet, according to our live NCAAF odds page.
Minnesota vs. Virginia Tech Odds, Spread, Betting Lines
| Minnesota Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Point Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
-9.5 -115 | 43.5 -110o / -110u | -400 |
| Virginia Tech Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Point Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
+9.5 -105 | 43.5 -110o / -110u | +300 |
- Minnesota vs. Virginia Tech Spread: Minnesota -9.5, Virginia Tech +9.5
- Minnesota vs. Virginia Tech Over/Under: 43.5 Total Points
- Minnesota vs. Virginia Tech Moneyline: Minnesota ML -400, Virginia Tech ML +300
Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Virginia Tech Hokies NCAAF Preview
Minnesota Golden Gophers Betting Preview
Minnesota enters its final game of the season at 7-5, but I believe it's much better than that record suggests.
The Gophers started the season with a heartbreaking loss to North Carolina, lost by three at Michigan and fell by just a single point to CFP semifinalist Penn State.
Additionally, head coach PJ Fleck's team finished the year 5-2 and took a significant leap once quarterback Max Brosmer gained full comfort in a new offensive system.
Availability-wise, just about everyone who's healthy will play against Virginia Tech. Starting right tackle Phillip Daniels has signed with Ohio State and backup running back Jordan Nubin entered the portal, but the rest of the roster should be a go.
I believe Minnesota has a physicality edge in this matchup and should be able to win the battle in the trenches on both sides of the ball.
Beyond that, Brosmer has had plenty of success through the air and should have plenty of open receivers against a mediocre Hokies secondary.
The Gopher defense should make its way into the VT backfield and cause some Havoc against a Tech offensive line that ranks 80th nationally in Line Yards.
As long as Minnesota plays a clean game and capitalizes in the red zone, it should control how this game plays out.
Virginia Tech Hokies Betting Preview
Virginia Tech fans had big expectations entering the 2024 season, but the Hokies did not live up to the hype. A 6-6 record filled with several painful losses resulted in many entering the portal or opting out of this game.
Five of VT's six losses came by one possession, with the other coming by 10 points. This team had the pieces to have a solid year but couldn't quite get over the hump.
Some notable starters who will likely not be suiting up for Virginia Tech in this game include left tackle Xavier Chaplin, center Braelin Moore, cornerback Mansoor Delane, safety Mose Phillips and linebacker Sam Brumfield.
Additionally, Tech is expected to be without quarterback Kyron Drones, so it will either be Collin Schlee or Pop Watson at quarterback.
The Hokies sat outside the top 100 in Pass Success, which should be magnified without Drones while going up against a very solid Minnesota secondary.
The Gophers are also plenty strong against the run, so it's difficult to imagine many paths to offensive success in this game.
On the other side of the ball, VT must try to get pressure on Brosmer and force a turnover or two.
The Hokies' best chance in this game is to limit the number of possessions and play from out in front.
Virginia Tech vs. Minnesota Matchup Analysis
Toggle the dropdowns below to hide or show how Virginia Tech and Minnesota match up statistically:
Minnesota Offense vs. Virginia Tech Defense
 | Offense | Defense |  Edge |
| Rush Success | 71 | 64 | |
| Line Yards | 114 | 47 | |
| Pass Success | 27 | 36 | |
| Havoc | 62 | 27 | |
| Finishing Drives | 29 | 8 | |
| Quality Drives | 48 | 31 | |
Virginia Tech Offense vs. Minnesota Defense
| Offense | Defense | Edge |
| Rush Success | 68 | 10 | |
| Line Yards | 80 | 27 | |
| Pass Success | 103 | 28 | |
| Havoc | 117 | 22 | |
| Finishing Drives | 35 | 24 | |
| Quality Drives | 104 | 24 | |
Pace of Play / Other
| | |
| PFF Tackling | 96 | 6 |
| PFF Coverage | 37 | 68 |
| Special Teams SP+ | 61 | 35 |
| Middle 8 | 40 | 36 |
| Seconds per Play | 30.4 (129) | 27.2 (74) |
| Rush Rate | 49% (102) | 59% (38) |
Minnesota vs. Virginia Tech Picks, Best Bets
Ultimately, I expect the Golden Gophers to pull away in this game in the second half. Minnesota had the stronger roster to begin with, and now it also has fewer opt-outs to manage.
Fleck has a pristine track record in bowl games, and I think he'll have his team plenty fired up to secure another victory.
There are too many concerns with the Hokies on both sides of the ball for me to have much faith in their operation.
With the spread still hovering inside single digits, there's enough value out there for me to take the Gophers to cover this number.
Row the Boat. Ski-U-Mah. Go Gophs.
Pick: Minnesota -8.5 (Play to -9.5)
Minnesota vs. Virginia Tech Channel, How to Watch, Streaming, Location, Time
| Location: | Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC |
| Date: | Friday, Jan. 3 |
| Kickoff Time: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | ESPN |
Minnesota takes on Virginia Tech in the Duke's Mayo Bowl on Friday, Jan. 3 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Minnesota vs. Virginia Tech Betting Trends to Know
Minnesota vs. Virginia Tech Weather Forecast
