re: OFFICIAL Week 1 College Football Bet Thread

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Which is why TCU is such a good play in this game... TCU leads the nation or is close to leading the nation each year in run defense... so Minnesota is going to have to pass the ball if they want any chance. But to who? Last year against TCU only their tight end did any receiving damage and he is off to the NFL.

It's just not a good matchup for Minnesota at all. And though TCU won 30-7 last year, TCU didn't play a good offensive game. It was their 2nd game with their new offense. Any gains Minnesota makes defensively will be offset by TCU's offensive improvement.

This game has 38-14 final score written all over it. I also don't see how the first half play would be a good one either(Minnesota -7?) even if Minnesota scores an early TD off of momentum, they won't have the offensive to extend that lead and even if TCU's offense gets off to a slow start I don't see them being held to under 14 points in the 1st half.

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I suspect the public money will be heavy on the Frogs - the line will climb again before kickoff. The pros will back the Gophers.

I respect TCU a great deal but this doesn't seem like a great spot - Minnesota looks to hold all the intangibles in this game (prime time, thursday night home dog, etc.)

Still, I want no part of the full game line bc TCU can score from anywhere on the field. I'll be looking to back Minnesota 1st half and maybe take TCU 2H once they've settled in.

ETA: From a football perspective I agree that the matchup seems to heavily favor TCU, but I will be interested to see if the new faces on the TCU defense step up. Minnesota will try to grind this game out with power run and long possessions, which likely is the best way to negate TCU's speed.