The Duke’s Mayo Bowl will feature the Minnesota Golden Gophers entering a showdown against the Virginia Tech Hokies on Friday, January 3, 2025.

The Hokies are expected to lose by at least a touchdown (currently +9.5) against the Golden Gophers (with an over/under of 43.5 points).

Read on for our preview for this this game between the Golden Gophers and the Hokies, and uncover all of our betting picks here, too!

Minnesota vs. Virginia Tech betting lines

• Spread favorite: Golden Gophers (-9.5)
• Moneyline: Golden Gophers (-403), Hokies (+313)
• Total: 43.5 points
• TV Channel: ESPN
• Live Stream: Fubo

Minnesota vs. Virginia Tech betting info and stats

Minnesota has eight wins against the spread through 12 opportunities this season (8-3-1). Minnesota is undefeated ATS (2-0) when favorites by at least 9.5 points. In seven games as a moneyline favorite, Minnesota has gone 6-1. Virginia Tech has six wins against the spread this season (6-5-0). When Virginia Tech is an underdog by 9.5 points or more, it is 1-0 ATS. Virginia Tech has played as an underdog on the moneyline twice this season, and it lost both games.

Minnesota vs. Virginia Tech recent stats and trends

Minnesota Golden Gophers

• Minnesota is 2-1 against the spread and 1-2 overall in its last three contests.
• Two times in those three games, the final combined score has surpassed the set total.
• Minnesota’s past three outings have ended with an average of 43.3 points scored. That’s 0.2 fewer points than this contest’s over/under.

Virginia Tech Hokies

• Virginia Tech is 1-2 against the spread and 1-2 overall during its past three matchups.
• Virginia Tech and its opponents have combined to hit the over two times in those games.
• The past three Virginia Tech games averaged 4.8 more points (48.3) than this matchup’s point total.

Minnesota vs. Virginia Tech key players

Minnesota Golden Gophers

• Max Brosmer has compiled 2,617 yards (218.1 ypg) on 250-of-374 passing with 17 touchdowns compared to five interceptions this season.
• Darius Taylor has racked up 873 rushing yards on 185 carries, scoring nine touchdowns. He’s also added 333 yards (27.8 per game) on 50 catches with two touchdowns.
• Marcus Major has been handed the ball 78 times this year and racked up 352 yards (29.3 per game) with three touchdowns.
• Daniel Jackson’s leads his squad with 863 yards as a receiver. He’s racked up that yardage on 75 catches (out of 118 targets) and scored four touchdowns.
• Elijah Spencer has caught 46 passes for 603 yards (50.3 yards per game) and four touchdowns this year.
• Anthony Smith has racked up 5.0 sacks to pace the team, while also picking up 6.0 TFL and 21 tackles.
• Cody Lindenberg, Minnesota’s tackle leader, has 76 tackles, 3.0 TFL, one sack, and one interception this year.
• Koi Perich has a team-high five interceptions to go along with 25 tackles and five passes defended.

Virginia Tech Hokies

• Kyron Drones has thrown for 1,562 yards (173.6 ypg) to lead Virginia Tech, completing 60.7% of his passes and recording 10 touchdown passes and six interceptions this season. He is also a playmaker on the ground, racking up 337 yards (37.4 ypg) on 98 carries with six touchdowns.
• Bhayshul Tuten has run for 1,158 yards on 183 carries so far this year while scoring 15 times on the ground.
• Stephen Gosnell has racked up 497 receiving yards on 27 catches to pace his team so far this season while scoring one touchdown as a receiver.
• Jaylin Lane has put up a 466-yard season so far with two touchdowns. He’s caught 38 passes on 58 targets.
• Ali Jennings’ 29 targets have resulted in 15 catches for 373 yards and three touchdowns.
• Antwaun Powell leads the team with 15.5 sacks, and also has 13.0 TFL and 40 tackles.
• Virginia Tech’s tackle leader, Jaden Keller, has 67 tackles and 1.0 TFL this year.
• Mansoor Delane has a team-high four interceptions to go along with 49 tackles and four passes defended.