2022 Pinstripe Bowl – Minnesota vs Syracuse
posted December 21
The Game
It’s a match-up that not even REGGIE JACKSON could endorse as the Golden Gophers battle Syracuse in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. Those fans who don’t get pushed in front of subway cars or shot dead at Starbucks better bundle up because it’s gonna be cold out there! Syracuse stumbled down the stretch after a SUPAH HOT start (6-0) and dropped five of their last six contests. The Golden Gophers came close to bagging the Big Ten West crown and finished the regular season with eight wins. Let’s do ittttt !
The Details
Minnesota -9.5 Syracuse (41.5)
MEGALOCKS LINE – Minnesota -8
“Vegas” Implied Projected Score: Minnesota 25.5 Syracuse 16
Minnesota offense vs Syracuse defense
The Gophers did the vast majority of their work on the ground (#11 rush, #114 pass) and the good news for Minnesota fans is that it appears that their elite RB M Ibrahim is gonna play in this one and all he did was rush for 1,594 yards and 19 (!) TDs during the regular season. The THROW GAME is very limited but back-up QB A Kaliakmanis looked pretty good to us during the season finale at Wisconsin and he provides more mobility than former starter T Morgan. Syracuse was scrappy on defense for a good chunk of the season but they started to wear down in the 2nd half. They’ve lost a lot of players in the transfer portal and their DC flew the coop to join CORN in Lincoln.
Syracuse offense vs Minnesota defense
The Orange roll into this BAD BOY with the #77 rated rushing offense AND #77 rated passing offense. Hall of Famers Phil Esposito and Paul Coffey would be proud. The straw that stirs the drink is QB G Shrader and he’s a mobile and crafty veteran that’ll give the Gophers some problems (17-6 TD to INT, 7 rush TD). Unfortunately, Shrader will be without the support of stud RB S Tucker (1,060, 11 TD) who’s quit to ice his ankles and prep for the NFL draft, and we’re not sure about the depth behind him at RB. WR O Gadsden is a legit #1 option but the Orange have struggled to get a consistent air attack going in 2022. The Golden Gophers lost a pair of key players in the transfer portal but they’ve been excellent this year (#5 FBS total D, #4 scoring D) and Syracuse will have to work for everything they get.
Trends, Intangibles and More!
We recommend that you check the weather closer to gameday if you wanna get down on this game……We know it’ll be cold…..it’s just a matter of how nasty things will be…..Orange HC Dino Babers is 2-0 in bowl games (1-0 with Syracuse)…..Syracuse has won four straight bowl games dating back to the 2010…..wait for it….we know you want it…..PINSTRIPE BOWL…..Minnesota HC PJ Fleck is 3-0 in bowl games with the Golden Gophers
Summary
This figures to be a low-scoring affair (DUH) and it’s difficult to see Syracuse generating much offense. We prefer the Golden Gophers but would like a number closer to -6.5 and here we are.
Conclusion
No leanage.
Note:
‘Official play’ implies we have played the game for our standard wager amount.
‘Lean’ implies we are comfortable suggesting ‘small potatoes’ on the game if you want to get down on some sweet action.
‘No leanage’ implies we won’t be involved in the game from a betting standpoint. In-game wagering possibilities only.