Minnesota vs Virginia Tech Picks and Prediction – 1/4/2025

The Minnesota Golden Gophers play the Virginia Tech Hokies on Friday, January 3 the Duke’s Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. Minnesota finished the regular season 7-5 overall and 5-4 in the Big Ten. The Golden Gophers defeated Wisconsin 24-7 in the final game of the regular season, snapping a short two-game losing streak. Keep up to date with all the college football action, with our college football picks.

During the regular season, quarterback Max Brosmer passed for 2,617 yards with 17 touchdowns and five interceptions. Darius Taylor was the leading rusher with 873 yards and Daniel Jackson was the leading receiver with 863 yards. Taylor rushed for nine touchdowns and Jackson had four touchdown receptions. Minnesota's defense had 23 quarterback sacks and intercepted 16 passes

The Virginia Tech Hokies finish the regular season 6-6 overall and 4-4 in Atlantic Coast Conference play. Virginia Tech defeated Virginia 37-17 in the final game of the regular season, which snapped a three-game losing streak for the Hokies. Virginia Tech was 4-5 over the final nine games of the regular season and during that span was 5-4 ATS.

Virginia Tech will play without its top quarterback Kyron Drones, who passed for 1,562 yards with 10 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. Drones is out injured. Bhaysul Tuten was the leading rusher for Virginia Tech with 1,159 yards and Stephen Gosnell was the leading receiver with 497 yards. Tuten had 15 touchdowns on the ground and Gosnell caught one touchdown reception. Virginia Tech’s defense made 36 quarterback sacks and intercepted 14 passes.

Minnesota will have a huge advantage in this matchup as Virginia Tech will be playing without its top quarterback Kyron Drones. Minnesota has covered the number in seven of its last eight and will score enough points against the Virginia Tech defense to win and cover against a Virginia Tech offense that will be led by a freshman quarterback, who had only 400 yards passing during the regular season. Final Score Prediction, Minnesota Golden Gophers win and cover ATS 27-13.