By Miguel Mike Medina
Photo Credit: Sports Wire – USA Today
New Mexico Lobos (9-3) will take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers (7-5) in the 2025 Rate Bowl.
The gophers are entering the season with momentum. It’s a program that’s no stranger to bowl games. Minnesota is currently on an eight-game bowl-winning streak. The Lobos are coming into this game on a six-game winning streak. It’s their first bowl game since 2016.
Lobo quarterback Junior Jack Layne has thrown for 2,398 yards to go with 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions with a 54.1 QBR. His passing yards are the most throughout his collegiate career. Layne played well in two games during the six-game winning streak, both against the UNLV Rebels and the Utah State Aggies.
Layne completed 17 of 22 passes for 183 yards and a touchdown in a 33-14 win against the Aggies on Oct 25. Against the Rebels, he threw for the same number of completions but reached 342 yards with three touchdowns and an interception in a 40-35 win.
The Lobos can succeed against the Gophers if Layne is more aggressive, throwing the ball and avoiding turnovers. Running back Andrew Henry is another player to keep an eye on if you’re the Gophers. Henry has rushed for 1,157 yards on 258 carries with 11 touchdowns.
Minnesota’s biggest struggle is its inability to succeed on third and fourth down. The Gophers have a talented group, and in any game, any team can show up and rise to the occasion. We hope that this weakness doesn’t show up in today’s game.
New Mexico has the better offense. Both teams are outstanding, and only one team can keep the winning streak going. The Lobos are more consistent and have more weapons. The game will come down to who makes better adjustments and who makes fewer mistakes.
The Goohers are 1.5-point favorites to win this game. Prediction: Lobos wins 31-27 over Gophers
The game will be broadcast on ESPN. Kickoff is at 4:30 pm ET from Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona.
Miguel Mike Medina is the publisher of The MMM Journal. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com and themmmjournal@gmail.com
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