New Mexico vs Minnesota Prediction 12/26/2025 Today’s College Football Picks

The New Mexico Lobos and the Minnesota Golden Gophers meet in the Rate Bowl in college football action from Chase Field on Friday. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a New Mexico Lobos vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers prediction.

New Mexico Lobos Recap

The New Mexico Lobos come into this bowl game on behalf of the Mountain West after going 9-3 in the regular season following a 23-17 win over San Diego State in their season finale. 

Lobos In First Bowl Game Since 2016

Jack Layne has thrown for 2,398 yards, 13 touchdowns and 9 interceptions on 65.9% passing while Damon Bankston leads the Lobos in rushing with 578 rushing yards and 5 TDs. D.J. McKinney has 454 rushing yards with 7 TDs and Scottre Humphrey has 349 rushing yards with 5 TDs on the year. Keagan Johnson has a team-high 57 receptions for 730 yards and 3 TDs while Dorian Thomas has 545 receiving yards with 4 TDs and Bankston has 374 receiving yards and 3 TDs. On defense, Jaxton Eck has a team-high 126 total tackles including 64 solo tackles while Keyshawn James-Newby has a team-high 8 sacks and Brett Karhu has 7 sacks. As a unit, New Mexico’s defense has combined for 33 sacks and 9 interceptions so far this season.

Minnesota Golden Gophers Recap

The Minnesota Golden Gophers come into this Bowl Game on behalf of the Big Ten after going 7-5 in the regular season with a 17-7 win over Wisconsin in their season finale.

Golden Gophers Looking To Stay Unbeaten In Bowls Under Fleck

Drake Lindsey has thrown for 2,235 yards, 16 touchdowns and 6 interceptions on 63.2% passing while Darius Taylor leads Minnesota in rushing with 554 yards and Fame Ijeboi has 441 rushing yards. Le’Meke Brockington has a team-high 46 catches for 484 yards and 4 TDs while Jalen Smith has 355 receiving yards with 2 TDs and Javon Tracy has 439 receiving yards and 6 TDs as well. On defense, Maverick Baranowski has a team-high 86 total tackles while Anthony Smith leads Minnesota with 10.5 sacks and Karter Menz has 5.5 sacks. John Nestor leads Minnesota with 5 interceptions as well on the year. As a unit, Minnesota’s defense has combined for 35 sacks and 8 interceptions so far this season.

New Mexico Lobos @ Minnesota Golden Gophers Betting Trends: Bowl

Why the Minnesota Golden Gophers will win

• Minnesota has won each of its last eight games at neutral venues.
• Minnesota has covered the spread in seven of its last eight games at neutral venues.
• Minnesota has won the first quarter in each of its last three games against opponents from the Mountain West Conference.
• Minnesota has won the first half in each of its last four games against opponents from the Mountain West Conference.

Why the New Mexico Lobos will win

• New Mexico has won each of its last six games.
• Minnesota has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games as a favorite.
• New Mexico has covered the spread in five of its last six games against non-conference opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Five of New Mexico’s last six games have gone UNDER the total points line.
• Five of Minnesota’s last six games against opponents from the Mountain West Conference have gone UNDER the total points line.

Minnesota Golden Gophers Player Prop Facts

• Heading into the bowl games, John Nestor ranks T6th amongst FBS players for interceptions (5) this season.

New Mexico Lobos Player Prop Facts

• Heading into the bowl games, Keyshawn James-Newby ranks 1st in the Mountain West Conference for sacks (8.0) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• Minnesota has recorded the equal-most home wins by a margin of 10 points or less of any FBS team this season (4).
• Minnesota ranks 129th among FBS teams for rushing yards per game this season (103.1).
• New Mexico has recorded the equal-most home wins by a margin of 10 points or less of any FBS team this season (4).
• New Mexico ranks 16th among FBS teams for Q2 points per game this season (11.6).

New Mexico Lobos vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers Prediction

I’m on the under here. I think that Minnesota’s going to try to use their patented defense to slow down New Mexico as the Gophers have allowed just over 15 PPG in the bowl game win streak under Fleck, while New Mexico played really solid defense under Jason Eck this season and I think this is going to be a defensive battle. Give me the under.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Under 42.5