Bowl Mania: Quick Lane Bowl

2023 Quick Lane Bowl

When: Tuesday, December 26th @ 2:00 PM ET

Where: Detroit, Michigan

Who: Bowling Green (7-5) vs. Minnesota (5-7)

Spread & Total: Minnesota -3.5; O/U 39.5

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Tale of the Take: Bowling Green Falcons

Like most MAC teams, Bowling Green scheduled a challenging nonconference schedule. Three of the four nonconference games were against bowl eligible teams, including two against unbeaten teams – Liberty and Michigan. The Falcons split their nonconference schedule after beating Eastern Illinois and Georgia Tech. An 0-2 start in conference play had the Falcons at 2-4 midway through the season. That’s when the Falcons got hot, winning five of their last six, with the lone loss a one-point loss to Toledo. The Falcons went 1-5 against bowl eligible teams and 1-1 in conference play.

Offensively, the Falcons are one of the slower paced offenses. Bowling Green ranks 126th of 133 FBS programs at 62.6 plays per game. The Falcons pass on 45.7% of their plays compared to 54.3% of plays being the run. The quarterbacks of Bowling Green complete just over 60% of their attempts for 7 YPA on average. Bowling Green might be going with their third-string running back; lead back Terion Stewart is a game-time decision and last played November 1st against Ball State. Backup Ta’ron Keith is in the transfer portal.

Defensively, Bowling Green did well at stopping the pass. Opposing quarterbacks averaged 7.1 YPA and completed just 59.9% of their attempts. Their 16 interceptions was tied for the 6th most in FBS. They sacked opposing quarterbacks 33 times this season. Bowling Green’s defense saw 35.4 run attempts per game. The Falcons allow just 3.9 YPC to opposing backs. They forced 11 fumbles this season.

Opt Outs: N/A

Injuries:

RB Terion Stewart

Last played on 11/1 against Ball State; led the team with 125 carries for 762 yards and eight touchdowns. Considered a game-time decision for the bowl game

Transfer Portal Departures:

EDGE Cashius Howell

2023 All-MAC Third Team Defense. Led the team with 9.5 sacks

CB Jalen Husky

2023 All-MAC First Team Defense. 53 total tackles (31 solo) were 3rd on the team. Tied for the team lead with six pass breakups and four interceptions.

RB Ta’ron Keith

Backup running back; 66 carries, 390 yards, and four touchdowns; led the team with 44 receptions. Added 457 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.

RB Nick Mosley

TE Andrew Bench

S Steve Lubischer

 

Players to Know:

#44 TE Harold Fannin Jr.

2023 All-MAC First Team Offense. Led the team with 573 receiving yards and six touchdowns

#23 LB Darren Anders

2023 All-MAC Second Team Defense. Led the team with 83 total tackles (41 solo); 4.5 sacks was 2nd on the team

Preview: Bowl Mania: Hawaii Bowl

Tale of the Tape: Minnesota Golden Gophers

The only reason Minnesota is bowl eligible is the lack of 6-6 teams. James Madison and Jacksonville State were granted bowl eligibility status despite being in their second year in FBS. Minnesota began the year 2-0 with wins over Nebraska and bowl eligible Eastern Michigan. But what followed was losing three of four. After a much needed bye week, the Golden Gophers won two straight against rivals Iowa and Michigan State. However, they closed the year on a four game losing streak. Minnesota went 3-5 against bowl eligible teams and 2-2 in one possession games.

Offensively, the Golden Gophers rank 106th in tempo at 64.8 plays per game. They will be on their third string quarterback Cole Kramer, who will start his first career game. His lone pass attempt this year was an interception. Minnesota will trot out a duo of running backs – Darius Taylor and Jordan Nubin. They combine for 60.7% of the backfield’s carries

Defensively, Minnesota’s pass defense allows a completion percentage of 63.5% of their attempts for 7.5 YPA. Minnesota sacked opposing quarterbacks 23 times while forcing 12 interceptions. Minnesota allowed opposing running backs to average 4.7 YPC on the ground.

Opt Outs: N/A

Injuries: N/A

Transfer Portal Departures:

QB Athan Kaliakmanis

Accounted for 294 of the team’s 295 pass attempts this year. Completed 53.5% of his attempts, throwing 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions

QB Drew Viotto

HB Zach Evans

RB Marquese Williams

RB Max Grand

OT JJ Guedet

IOL Tyrell Lawrence

K Jacob Lewis

Player to Know:

#9 WR Daniel Jackson

2023 All-Big Ten Football Second Team Offense. Led the team with 57 receptions, 831 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns.

#27 DB Tyler Nubin

2023 All-Big Ten Football First Team Defense. 2nd on the team with 53 total tackles (34 solo). Five interceptions led the team; 12 over the last three years.

Bowl Game Trends:

• PJ Fleck: 4-0 all-time in Minnesota bowl games (5-2 overall)
• 2023 Quick Lane Bowl marks the 1st time a team will appear more than once in this bowl (Minnesota: 2-0 all-time; Bowling Green: 0-1 all-time)
• MAC: 1-4 all-time in Quick Lane Bowl; Big Ten: 3-1 all-time
• PJ Fleck at Minnesota: 20-2 against nonconference teams

Game Synopsis:

Minnesota’s offense was more run focused with Kaliakmanis in the lineup; expect an even more run based offense with Kramer as his replacement. Kramer has 44 career rush attempts compared to just 14 pass attempts (two touchdowns; two interceptions).

PJ Fleck has suffered only two nonconference losses at Minnesota: North Carolina this year and…Bowling Green in 2021. I think Fleck’s success on extended time in bowl games helps draw a gameplan to ease the pressure Kramer is under. Minnesota takes the 2023 Quick Lane Bowl.

Bowl Mania Pick To Win: Minnesota

Bowl Mania Confidence: 17/43

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