West Virginia Mountaineers vs Minnesota Golden Gophers 2021 Guaranteed Rate Bowl

Our West Virginia vs Minnesota prediction for the 2021 Guaranteed Rate Bowl is our fifth and final NCAAF pick for Tuesday, December 28. The West Virginia Mountaineers (6-6) finished the season at 4-5 in the Big 12. That record tied them for fifth in the conference with Kansas State. The Mountaineers won their last two games of the season, beating Texas (31-23) and Kansas (34-28). The Minnesota Golden Gophers (8-4) ended their season in a three-way tie for second in the Big Ten West. Their 6-3 conference mark matched that of Wisconsin and Purdue. Like the Mountaineers, the Golden Gophers won their final two games of the regular season, beating Illinois 35-14 and #14 Wisconsin 23-13.

Guaranteed Rate Bowl Spread and Totals Odds

In this game, West Virginia is the underdog at +5.0 (-110), while favored Minnesota is -5.0 (-110). The total is at 44.5 with the over being -104 and under -112. The 2021 Guaranteed Rate Bowl will be played at Chase Field in Phoenix, AZ with kickoff at 10:15 pm ET. The weather forecast is for partly cloudy skies with temperatures around 50 degrees. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.

Mountaineers vs Golden Gophers Pick - Stats

In developing our West Virginia vs Minnesota prediction, we note that both teams are averaging virtually the same number of points per game. The Mountaineers are averaging 26.8 PPG and the Golden Gophers 26.1 PPG. WVU are averaging 256.9 passing YPG and 127.9 rushing YPG. Unlike the Mountaineers, who focus on the passing game, Minnesota’s main method of attack is in the air. The Golden Gophers are good for 193.8 ground yards per game and 166.6 air yards.

Minnesota brings a solid defense to this bowl game. The Golden Gophers are allowing just 18.3 PPG, while the Mountaineers are giving up 24.3 PPG. The Gopher D is permitting teams 284.8 YPG with 184.7 in the air and 100.2 on the ground. On the other hand, the WVU defense is allowing opponents 350.0 total yards per contest. That includes 220.1 passing YPG and 129.9 rushing YPG.

West Virginia vs Minnesota Prediction - Key Players

West Virginia will look to star running back Leddie Brown to establish the ground game. Brown has rushed for 1,065 yards and 13 TDs while averaging 4.8 YPA. QB Jarret Doege (2,908 YDs, 65.8 COMP%, 19 TDs, 11 INTs, 30 SCKs) has put up decent numbers. Four wideouts come to this game with a total of 16 TD catches. Winston Wright Jr. leads the team in catches with 60 and receiving yards with 672. He’s caught five TD passes. Top performers on defense include linebacker Josh Chandler-Semedo (104 TCKLs, 3 PD, 2 INTs, 2 FF), safety Sean Mahone ( 2 PD, 2 INTs, 1 FF), and defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor (4.5 SCKs).

The Golden Gophers feature three running backs with 100-plus carries and 500-plus yards each. Together, they’ve scored 15 times. Leaders include Ky Thomas (145 ATT, 680 YDs), Mar'Keise Irving (5.0 YPA, and Trey Potts (6 TDs). This season Golden Gopher QB Tanner Morgan (1.953 YDs, 59.7 COMP%, 10 TDs, 8 INTs, 20 SCKs) has struggled with accuracy and decision making. We expect Minnesota will primarily rely on its ground game. However, the team’s leading wideout, Chris Autman-Bell (35 REC, 490 YDs, 14.0 AVG, 6 TDs) will be Morgan’s main target. On defense, top performers include LB Jack Gibbens (86 TCKLs, 3 PD, 1 FF), DB Tyler Nubin (1 PD, 3 INTs), and DL Thomas Rush (5.5 SCKs, 1 PD).

West Virginia vs Minnesota Prediction

In the Guaranteed Rate Bowl, we like Minnesota’s rush attack and defense. We think that both will dominate the game. For WVU to have a chance, they will have to see their defense step up. Plus, their offense will need to offer a balanced attack. Our West Virginia vs Minnesota prediction is the Golden Gophers at -5.0 (-110). We project that Minnesota will score about 30 points and West Virginia 19. With the total at 44.5, were going with the over.

Sports Betting Smarts is previewing and predicting every one of this season’s 41 college football bowl games. In the first week, we went 12-4 with an 8-2 mark on Saturday.

2021 Guaranteed Rate Bowl - West Virginia vs Minnesota Summary

Spread - Minnesota -5.0 (-110)

Over/Under - Over 44.5 (-104)