– Last Updated on December 22, 2022 3:14 pm
Week 1: Horned Frogs vs Golden Gophers Odds
College football betting sees the TCU Horned Frogs taking on the Minnesota Golden Gophers Thursday September 3rd at TCF Stadium in Minneapolis. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NCAA football season long so stay tuned for more FREE college football predictions.
TCU (0-0) vs. Minnesota (0-0)
Week 1
Date: Thursday, September 3rd
Time: 9:o0 PM
Venue: TCF Stadium – Minneapolis
NCAA Football Spread: TCU -15.5
NCAA Betting Total: 58.0
NCAA Moneyline Odds: TCU -725
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After just missing out on the last BCS playoff spot, TCU will be back with a vengeance in 2015.
They bring back 16 starters from last year’s team that lost just once – at Baylor 61-58. TCU had the 2nd ranked scoring offense in the FBS last season and the 16th best defense.
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Minnesota will look to build off a strong season in the Big Ten last year. They went 5-3 in Big Team and lost just once at home all season (to Ohio St 31-24) while picking up 6 home wins.
They will have their hands full in their home opener with Heisman candidate Trevone Boykin leading TCU into town.
TCU
There are plenty of stats to back up what TCU did on both sides of the ball last year. TCU surprised a lot of people last year as they were picked by many to finish last in the Big 12. They will not surprise anyone this year. But that doesn’t mean they will be stopped. They scored 30 or more points in every game last season.
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Boykin is as good as they come when it comes to dual threat quarterbacks. He puts on a show every time he is out there. And, the rest of his offense is just as scary.
The defense may not be as good as last year – bringing back 7 starters but facing some questions at linebacker.
This team will go as far as Boykin takes them and unfortunately, it will be difficult to replicate last season’s performance as a team. And, they didn’t even make the playoff. The goal has to be playoff or bust for TCU and they can’t afford to let Minnesota slow their start.
Minnesota
Big Ten teams are known for their defense and Minnesota sported a strong defense in 2014. They will bring back 8 starters from that defense and they will be put to the test right off the bat.
They bring their starting quarterback Mitch Leidner who threw three picks against TCU in their matchup last year. Minnesota turned the ball over five times against TCU last year and still only gave up 30 points. But, they also managed just 7 points.
And, they weren’t until the fourth quarter.
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Minnesota may find itself near the top of the Big Ten at the end of this season. But, TCU will present a different set of challenges than Jerry Kill and his boys are used to in the Big Ten.
NCAA Football Handicapping Trends
• TCU 11-2 ATS in 2014, including 4-0 in non-conference games
• Minnesota 8-5 ATS in 2014, including 2-3 in non-conference games
• TCU 2-2 ATS in 2014 as road favorites
• Minnesota 2-0 ATS in 2014 as home underdog
Week 1 NCAA Football Prediction
This is one of the games that betting TCU might seem like a bad pick in the first quarter or so. Minnesota will pack the house for their home opener and the crowd could have an early impact. But, this is one of those games where over 60 minutes it will be clear who the better football team is.
Minnesota is a good football team.
TCU is a great football team. Boykin and the Horned Frogs will not be scared of this spotlight. They will win this game and Boykin will make sure they do so emphatically.
4* Free NCAA Betting Pick: TCU -15.5
Boykin will get his Heisman campaign off to a great start in Minnesota. The Gophers may have a good season but TCU will not be a win on their resume come bowl season.
Week 1 Score Prediction: TCU 44 – Minnesota 23
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