Minnesota vs. Fresno State fearless prediction and game preview.
Minnesota vs. Fresno State Broadcast
Date: Saturday, September 7
Game Time: 10:30 ET
Venue: Bulldog Stadium, Fresno, CA
Network: CBS Sports Network
– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions
Minnesota (1-0) vs. Fresno State (0-1) Game Preview
Why Fresno State Will Win
Minnesota struggled to handle the South Dakota State running game.
The Jackrabbits might have one of the best teams in the FCS, but the Big Ten program still had a hard time getting control of the game. The Gopher D that allowed over five yards per carry – even with a strong group of linebackers – now has to deal with a Fresno State ground attack that powered for over five yards per pop against USC.
Jorge Reyna might have thrown a tough late pick, but the new Fresno State quarterback overcame a rough game in the loss to the Trojans to have a shot to pull off something big late. He’s a baller – he led the team with 88 rushing yards – but watch out for Ronnie Rivers to start getting the ball more. He’s the star back, but he couldn’t bust out anything in LA.
Minnesota has a good offense, but it’s not going to blow up with enough explosive plays to pull away. Fresno State’s defense will be fantastic on third downs, and it’ll keep the team in the game throughout.
Why Minnesota Will Win
The offensive line found its groove late against the Jackrabbits.
Minnesota sputtered and coughed too much last week, but when it had to come up with a big drive to take over and win the game, the front five powered away.
Mo Ibrahim had a hard time finding room to move, but he blasted away for the touchdown late, and Rodney Smith looked back to form with a decent 92-yard day.
On the road, the Gophers have to keep pounding, keep pounding, and keep pounding. Fresno State has an outstanding defense, but it got run on by a USC ground game that doesn’t have the attack the Gophers will bring.
Fresno State was able to stay alive with four takeaways, but Minnesota isn’t going to make the big mistakes, and …
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What’s Going To Happen
Fresno State will have turnover problems for the second week in a row. Just when it seems like the Bulldogs will have the Gophers in trouble, the big turnover will come.
FSU turned it over four times against USC, Minnesota will be +2 in the turnover margin, and it’ll survive a dog fight. If you thought the loss in Los Angeles was frustrating, this week will be even worse for Fresno State as it blows chance after chance.
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Minnesota vs. Fresno State Prediction, Line
Minnesota 27, Fresno State 23
Line: Minnesota -3, o/u: 46.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
Must See Rating: 3
5: Hustlers
1: Where’d You Go Bernadette
NEXT: Each Team’s Schedule, Predictions So Far
Each Team’s Schedule, Predictions So Far
2019 Fresno State Football Schedule
2019 Record: 1-0
2019 Preseason Prediction: 9-3
2019 Preseason Mountain West Prediction: 7-1
2018 Record: 12-2
– 2019 Fresno State Preview
Aug. 31 at USC L 31-23
Sept. 7 Minnesota L
Sept. 14 OPEN DATE
Sept. 21 Sacramento State W
Sept. 28 at New Mexico State W
Oct. 5 OPEN DATE
Oct. 12 at Air Force W
Oct. 19 UNLV W
Oct. 26 Colorado State W
Nov. 2 at Hawaii W
Nov. 9 Utah State W
Nov. 16 at San Diego State L
Nov. 23 Nevada W
Nov. 30 at San Jose State W
2019 Minnesota Football Schedule
2019 Record: 1-0
2019 Preseason Prediction: 8-4
2019 Preseason Big Ten Prediction: 5-4
2018 Record: 7-6
Aug. 31 South Dakota State W 28-21
Sept. 7 at Fresno State W
Sept. 14 Georgia Southern W
Sept. 21 OPEN DATE
Sept. 28 at Purdue W
Oct. 5 Illinois W
Oct. 12 Nebraska W
Oct. 19 at Rutgers L
Oct. 26 Maryland W
Nov. 2 OPEN DATE
Nov. 9 Penn State L
Nov. 16 at Iowa L
Nov. 23 at Northwestern L
Nov. 30 Wisconsin W
