The 2023 Quick Lane Bowl matchup is taking place at Ford Field in Detroit, with the matchup of the 7-5 Bowling Green Falcons and the 5-7 Minnesota Golden Gophers. Bowling Green comes into this one winning five out of their last six games. The Falcons have appeared in 13 bowl games in their program’s history. They have a 5-8 record in those games. Minnesota comes into this one losing four straight games. The Golden Gophers have appeared in 23 bowl games in their program’s history. They have a 11-12 record in those bowl appearances. Minnesota is a 3.5 point favorite in this one with the over/under set at 39.5. Here is my preview for the 2023 Quick Lane Bowl.
Bowling Green Falcons
The Bowling Green Falcons put together a good little season in 2023. Offensively, they average 26.3 points per game and 342.5 total yards of offense. This offense runs through the duo of quarterback Connor Bazelak and running back Terion Stewart. Bazelak has thrown for 1,709 passing yards to go along with 11 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Stewart has rushed for 762 rushing yards on 6.1 yards per carry and 8 touchdowns. Terion Stewart is questionable to play due to an injury. The Falcons are going to need a good game from Bazelak if they want to compete with a Power Five school.
Defensively, the Falcons put together a solid season. They allow 23.5 points per game and allow 350.3 total yards of offense per game. Bowling Green is good at containing the passing game as they allow under 200 passing yards per game. They will be without stud corner Jalen Huskey who was first team All-MAC as he committed to Maryland via the transfer portal. Starting safety Trent Simms is questionable to play due to an injury. Lineback Cashius Howell, who was the team leader in sacks, is entering the transfer portal as well. A lot of question marks coming into this one is not good for this good Bowling Green defense. This isn’t what they want going up against a Power Five school.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
The Golden Gophers had a down season for P.J. Fleck’s standards. Offensively, they average 20.2 points per game to go along with 313.1 total yards of offense. The Golden Gophers will be without starting quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, who is entering the transfer portal. They will start Cole Kramer who has six snaps this season. The good news for Kramer is that their leading receiver Daniel Jackson will be playing in the bowl game. The Golden Gophers are going to have to get their offense going early on if they want to have a chance against a good Bowling Green defense.
Defensively, the numbers were down for Minnesota in 2023. They allow 26.9 points per game and allow 386.3 total yards of offense. Minnesota has their starting safety Darius Green out with an injury and future NFL safety Tyler Nubin could sit out of this game to prepare for the NFL Draft. This secondary takes a big hit if these two don’t play in the bowl game. If Minnesota wants to contain Bowling Green, they will have to stop them on third down, which has been an issue in 2023. The Golden Gophers allow opponents to convert on 47.2% of their third down attempts. If Minnesota stops them from converting at a high percentage of their third down attempts, they will be in good shape here in the 2023 Quick Lane Bowl.
Betting Trends
-Bowling Green is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games.
-The over is 4-1 in Bowling Green’s last 5 games.
-Minnesota is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games.
-The under is 4-2 in Minnesota’s last 6 games.
The Don’s Best Bet
I have one play here in this bowl game. After a rough Saturday stretch, I sit at 10-11 (-2.24u) 47.6% on the bowl season. Take Bowling Green +3.5 -110 for one unit here in the 2023 Quick Lane Bowl. I think the Falcons defense is going to be stellar in this matchup. The Falcons have a chance to win this one outright. However, if the Gophers win it is by no more than a field goal here. Ride the Falcons to the cash counter to start the track towards the New Year on the right foot.
