The Rate Bowl will feature the Minnesota Golden Gophers heading into a showdown with the New Mexico Lobos on Friday, December 26, 2025.

The Golden Gophers are slight favorites (-1.5) in their matchup versus the Lobos, with the over/under being 43.5 points. (In terms of the moneyline, the Golden Gophers are -121 and the Lobos are +101.)

Keep reading for our preview for this this contest between the Golden Gophers and the Lobos, and discover all of our expert predictions here, too!

Minnesota vs. New Mexico betting lines

• Spread favorite: Golden Gophers (-1.5)
• Moneyline: Golden Gophers (-121), Lobos (+101)
• Total: 43.5 points
• TV Channel: ESPN
• Live Stream: Fubo

Minnesota vs. New Mexico betting info and stats

Minnesota has won four games against the spread so far this season (4-8-0). Minnesota is 1-5 ATS when the favorite by at least 1.5 points. Minnesota has been favored on the moneyline six times this season, and sports a 5-1 record in those games. New Mexico has seven wins against the spread in 12 opportunities this season (7-5-0). New Mexico’s record against the spread is 4-2 in games it was set as the underdog by 1.5 points or more. New Mexico is an underdog on the moneyline for the seventh time this year and is 3-3 in that role.

Minnesota vs. New Mexico recent stats and trends

Minnesota Golden Gophers

• Minnesota has covered the spread twice in its past three matchups while putting up a 1-2 record straight-up in those games.
• The final combined score of the last three Minnesota games has surpassed the set total two times.
• The last three Minnesota games averaged 41.8 total points, 1.7 fewer points than this matchup’s over/under.

New Mexico Lobos

• New Mexico has covered the spread twice in its past three contests while putting up a 1-2 record straight-up in those games.
• In all of those games, the final combined score was under the set total.
• The past three New Mexico games averaged 6.3 more points (49.8) than this matchup’s point total.

Minnesota vs. New Mexico key players

Minnesota Golden Gophers

• Drake Lindsey has 2,235 pass yards for Minnesota, completing 63.2% of his passes and throwing 16 touchdowns and six interceptions this season.
• Darius Taylor has 554 rushing yards on 119 carries with three touchdowns. He’s also added 30 catches for 222 yards (27.8 per game).
• Fame Ijeboi has been handed the ball 97 times this year and racked up 441 yards (44.1 per game) with two touchdowns.
• Lemeke Brockington’s 484 yards as a receiver lead the team. He’s been targeted 66 times and has registered 46 receptions and four touchdowns.
• Javon Tracy has put up a 439-yard season so far with six touchdowns, hauling in 35 passes on 59 targets.
• Jalen Smith’s 22 catches are good enough for 355 yards and two touchdowns.
• Anthony Smith has racked up 10.5 sacks to lead the team, while also picking up 9.0 TFL and 31 tackles.
• Devon Williams, Minnesota’s leading tackler, has 82 tackles, 5.0 TFL, and 2.5 sacks this year.
• John Nestor has picked off a team-high five passes. He also has 47 tackles, 6.0 TFL, and five passes defended to his name.

New Mexico Lobos

• Jack Layne has recored 2,398 passing yards, or 199.8 per game, so far this season. He has completed 65.9% of his passes and has collected 13 touchdowns with nine interceptions. He’s also chipped in on the ground with 12.5 rushing yards per game while scoring as a runner four times.
• Damon Bankston has carried the ball 104 times for a team-high 578 yards (48.2 per game) with five touchdowns. He also leads the team through the air, as his 26 receptions this season are good for 374 yards, and he’s scored three touchdowns in the passing game.
• DJ McKinney has totaled 454 yards on 109 carries with seven touchdowns.
• Keagan Johnson’s 730 receiving yards (66.4 yards per game) are best on his team. He has 57 catches on 93 targets with three touchdowns.
• Dorian Thomas has collected 545 receiving yards (45.4 yards per game) and four touchdowns on 53 receptions.
• Keyshawn James-Newby leads the team with 8.0 sacks, and also has 10.0 TFL and 43 tackles.
• New Mexico’s leading tackler, Jaxton Eck, has 108 tackles, 2.0 TFL, and 1.5 sacks this year.
• Austin Brawley has a team-high three interceptions to go along with 16 tackles, 2.0 TFL, one sack, and three passes defended.