{"id":21916,"date":"2023-08-30T15:18:02","date_gmt":"2023-08-30T19:18:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/?p=21916"},"modified":"2024-06-03T09:53:17","modified_gmt":"2024-06-03T13:53:17","slug":"minnesota-football-predictions-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/college-football\/minnesota-football-predictions-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Minnesota Football Predictions, Betting Tips & Team Preview 2023: WagerTalk Best Betting Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Minnesota Football Predictions & Preview 2023: <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Expert college football handicapper Ron Marmalefsky runs down the Golden Gophers chances for 2023 and provides expert tips for betting on Minnesota football in 2023. Ron looks at areas to watch, favorability of schedule, offers a predicted record for Minnesota football in 2023 and offers some handicapping tips for betting on the Gophers this season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You get free college football picks<\/a> from WagerTalk all season long – including on Minnesota – check them out each and every day<\/em> during the NCAAF season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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College Football WEEK 1 ULTIMATE Betting Guide Video<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Minnesota Football Preview 2023: Minnesota Picks for Betting<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

P.J. Fleck rubs some people the wrong way, but he gets the most out of the talent at hand.  They are 18-8 since Covid 2020, and a decent 11-7 in Big Ten play.  There are lots of moving parts prior to 2023.  This assessment won\u2019t be all that easy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minnesota Football Predictions: AREAS TO WATCH<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s been some coaching changes offensively, but I have no opinion on the overall impact.  Player-wise, the new starting QB has upside, but MUST be charted early and often.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pass percentage is a concern, and turnovers may spike, so this is why charting his progress is critical.  RB Ibrahim and his 20 rush TD\u2019s are gone.  So is the #2 guy.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fleck has always fielded a stout run game, so let\u2019s see how transfer RB Tyler (one of three guys from Fleck\u2019s former school from further back Western Michigan) fares.  This is the 2nd<\/sup> straight season Minnesota\u2019s OL has lost plenty of OL talent.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My 2023 projection of just 4.1 per carry is lower than any of their finishes under Fleck, and my number is lower going back even further than that.  Yes. I\u2019ll pivot if wrong, but if correct, I might be ahead of the curve.  The run defense outperformed my 2022 projections.  I\u2019m up again at 4.3 per carry, so let\u2019s see if the Gophers can better the number again.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve also put their pass defense percentage projection (just) above 60%.  Minnesota reminds me a bit of Iowa, a fundamentally sound program, but I think the talent is not up to 2022\u2019s level, although they do recruit well, which bodes well for longer term continuity.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I would like to see better pass pressure, as 17 sacks (19 counting the bowl) is too low.  Their PK (15-18) transferred.  The projected starter has a big kickoff leg, but is an unknown otherwise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minnesota 2023 Predictions, Minnesota Schedule:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Minnesota\u2019s schedule heats up this year, so if I\u2019m right about some of their regression then Fleck will have a big coaching test on his hands.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Facing a new coach (Nebraska) at home is a bit of a perk, so if they hold serve over pesky E Mich than the 1st<\/sup> test will be at UNC on 9\/16.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ll pre-scout Minnesota’s run game vs. UNC\u2019s run defense.  Even with a loss, 4-1 is entirely possible, as they could be double-digit favorites three times (-7 in the opener vs. Nebraska).  If there are two games Minnesota cares most about, it\u2019s Michigan and at Iowa, games 6-7.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s good news, as the Gophers have a week off between these two games.  I\u2019d worry about a letdown after the Iowa game, but of course I will be charting Michigan State to see if their culture is such that they warrant a win shot.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Games 9-10 could go either way, especially if there are flaws not only here, but with Illinois (QB, DB) and Purdue (new staff, etc.).  My pre-checks are QB play, my defensive projections vs. actual results, and close game kicking.  They close hosting Wisconsin.  They beat the Badgers last year, but remember, that game did not decide the Big 12 West, and there was an interim staff in place.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ll pre-check how Wisconsin is doing on the road with the new staff, and the motivational aspect for both teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minnesota Season Prediction – Bottom Line<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The recruiting, coaching, and enthusiasm in this program are all above average.  We might see some signs that the offense and\/or the defense undergoes growing pains, and with the tougher schedule that could mean 6-6.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s tough to discard this team based on how hard they\u2019ve recently competed, but on paper they have some holes to fill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minnesota Football HANDICAPPING TIP<\/strong>: <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Game one clues will let me know if they are vulnerable if too big a favorite the next week (Eastern Michigan).  If the data does show up in Minnesota\u2019s favor I might take them at Iowa, but I\u2019m also looking to possibly fade them the next week vs. Michigan State.  I\u2019m neutral on November for now until I see in-season numbers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get GoldSheet for Football Betting Tips All Year <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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\"michigan<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

College Football Heisman Trophy Video Betting Guide<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Caleb Williams is the odds favorite to win this season’s Heisman Trophy, currently listed at +600. Can a longshot win the coveted trophy, or will the USC quarterback take the cake? Jeff Michaels breaks down the field and offers his thoughts on a few long shots to consider ahead of the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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