Insight Bowl – Minnesota
(6-6) vs. Texas Tech (7-5)
8:00 pm Eastern
NFL Network
Opening
Line: Texas Tech - 7
Two explosive offenses meet tonight in the Insight Bowl at
Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. Texas Tech is making
its seventh straight bowl appearance under coach Mike Leach.
The Red Raiders won three straight bowls from 2002-04, but
lost to Alabama 13-10 last season in the Cotton Bowl. ''This
selection is a credit to our team, coaching staff and fans
for all of the hard work they put in this season,'' Leach
said. ''The Insight Bowl is a great bowl in a great location
that provides a great matchup with the Big 12 and Big Ten
Conferences. We are excited about the opportunity to face
Minnesota and look forward to spending some time in Phoenix.''
Reports from SBG
Global tell us that the gambling public is looking
for a lot of points in this one, pounding the total to go
over.
Minnesota has had an up and down season, losing five of their
first seven games but winning four of their last five. ''With
the way the season went, we had to set goals towards the end
of the year,'' said Gophers quarterback Bryan Cupito. ''To
end up 6-6 and go to a bowl game is definitely a good thing.''
Minnesota allowed 253.5 passing yards per game this season,
and that was 7th worst in the nation. They will be facing
Texas Tech sophomore Graham Harrell who completed 66.9 percent
of his throws this season, ranking second in the country with
35 touchdown passes and third with 342.5 yards per game. Texas
Tech wide receiver Joel Filani will be a big threat tonight.
He led the Big 12 with 1,138 yards and 12 touchdowns. The
Red Raiders also have Robert Johnson and Shannon Woods who
each had over 70 catches this season. Woods was the leading
rusher with 133 carries for 817 yards and seven touchdowns.
Texas Tech is a 7.5 point favorite with a total of 65 at
SBG
Global.
Texas Tech averaged 41.9 points in their wins, but just 17
points in their losses. The Gophers were similar as they scored
40.7 in their six victories, and just over 15 points in their
losses. Minnesota will be without tight end Matt Spaeth who
had surgery on his separated shoulder. Spaeth is the school's
all-time leader in receptions and yards by a tight end, and
won the John Mackey Award this season, given to the nation's
top tight end.
The Red Raiders are 8-20-1 in bowl games while the Gophers
are 5-6. The Gophers are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 non-conference
games. The Gophers are 1-6-1 ATS in their last 8 games as
an underdog. The Red Raiders are 3-7 ATS in their last 10
games as a favorite.
The Over is 19-7-1 in the Gophers last 27 vs. a team with
a winning record.
The Over is 17-5 in the Red Raiders last 22 night games.
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