Eastern Illinois vs. Minnesota Prediction: Week 1 Odds, Picks & Best Bet

The Golden Gophers effectively have an exhibition game to open their season today, facing FCS-level Eastern Illinois as better-than-six-touchdown favorites. My Eastern Illinois vs. Minnesota prediction recognizes that P.J. Fleck has made these guarantee games look exactly like they should.

Kickoff from Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis is set for 8 p.m. ET (Peacock).

🏈 Eastern Illinois vs. Minnesota picks & predictions

See all of our experts' college football picks for Week 1 based on the latest college football odds.

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💰 Eastern Illinois vs. Minnesota prediction & best bet

Check out all of our college football predictions for more analysis across this week's slate.

Minnesota -42.5 (-105 via DraftKings)

Only so much analysis can be applied to a game like this. The Minnesota Golden Gophers have nothing to worry about and they know it. How much they win by will be determined more by playcalls than by anything involving the Eastern Illinois Panthers.

But the Gophers have gone 3-0 against the spread in their last three games against FCS opponents, coming in just the last four seasons. (Fleck’s first five years at Minnesota featured only one FCS game.) Even more impressively, the Gophers have hit each of those Overs all on their own, winning 66-0, 48-0, and 62-10.

At some point tonight, quarterback Drake Lindsey should find the bench and relax, but Minnesota should keep pouring on the points.

Score prediction: Minnesota 52, Eastern Illinois 0

📊 Eastern Illinois vs. Minnesota odds 

See the latest college football odds for every Week 1 matchup.

📺 How to watch Eastern Illinois vs. Minnesota: Week 1

• Date: Thursday, Sept. 3
• Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
• Location: Huntington Bank Stadium (Minneapolis)
• TV: Peacock