New Mexico vs. Minnesota Predictions & Odds | 2025 Rate Bowl Best Bet & TD Pick
After a jaw-dropping turnaround under Jason Eck, my New Mexico vs. Minnesota predictions are taking the Lobos to devour the Golden Gophers in the Rate Bowl.
Minnesota is a 2-point betting favorite for today's 4:30 p.m. ET (ESPN) Rate Bowl matchup from Chase Field in Phoenix, in the seventh bowl game featured in our college football predictions this week.
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🏈 New Mexico vs. Minnesota predictions: 2025 Rate Bowl
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| Best bets | Odds | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico ML | +102 via FanDuel | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Damon Bankston anytime TD | -105 via bet365 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
💰 New Mexico vs. Minnesota best bet
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New Mexico ML (+102) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Lobos are one win away from tying their single-season record (10). This is just their third bowl game since 2008, and they're going to be motivated to beat up on a Minnesota team that's lost three of its last five games.
The Golden Gophers' offense has been a problem this season, ranking 99th in the country in PPG (23.2). The Lobos, meanwhile, are 22nd in the country in sacks (33) and top 50 in points allowed (22.5).
With a strong run game and elite special teams, too, Eck's team can win a tight one.
Score prediction: New Mexico 24, Minnesota 23
🙌 Best New Mexico vs. Minnesota touchdown pick: Rate Bowl
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Damon Bankston, RB, New Mexico: Anytime TD (-105) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
What makes New Mexico such a tough out is the creativity of their offense, using plenty of misdirection and manufacturing touches in all kinds of ways for their top playmakers. That's why Damon Bankston, a Weber State transfer, has been such a good fit in Luke Schleusner's offense.
Bankston leads the team in touches (130), yards from scrimmage (952), and total touchdowns (8). And while the Lobos take a committee approach with their backfield, Bankston's ability as a pass catcher is an X-factor for QB Jack Layne.
While Minnesota is a Power Four team, Bankston's best game of the year actually came against a Big Ten opponent. The senior put up 203 yards from scrimmage on 18 touches with two touchdowns against UCLA earlier this season.
He's the team's most versatile and explosive threat, leading the team in yards per route run (2.49), 15-plus-yard runs (8), and forced missed tackles (28).
🐺 Double trouble with Lobo RBs
While Bankston is the best threat to score for New Mexico, he splits the backfield with DJ McKinney. The sophomore is second on the team in touches (123), yards from scrimmage (610), and touchdowns (7). And while he's less involved as a pass catcher, he's run for five touchdowns in his last five games. That's why I like the value in parlaying both backs to score, with +273 odds at bet365.
📝 Top NFL draft prospects for Rate Bowl
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| Player | Position | Key stats | NFL draft grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony Smith, Minnesota | DL | 13.5 TFLs, 10.5 sacks | Round 2-4 |
| Greg Johnson, Minnesota | OL | 1 sack, 7 pressures allowed | Round 4-6 |
| Kerry Brown, Minnesota | SAF | 4 TFLs, 2 INTs | Round 4-6 |
| Darius Taylor, Minnesota | RB | 776 scrimmage yards, 3 TDs | Round 6-UDFA |
| Keyshawn James-Newby, New Mexico | EDGE | 5th-most pressures in the country (63) | Round 6-UDFA |
| Keagan Johnson, New Mexico | WR | 730 receiving yards, 3 TDs | UDFA |
📊 Live New Mexico vs. Minnesota odds: Rate Bowl
New Mexico vs. Minnesota opening odds
- Moneyline: New Mexico +120 | Minnesota -140
- Spread: New Mexico +2.5 (-110) | Minnesota -2.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: Over 47.5 (-110) | Under 47.X (-110)
📈 New Mexico vs. Minnesota betting trends
| New Mexico | Statistic | Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| 9-3 | W-L record | 7-5 |
| 7-5 | ATS record | 4-7-1 |
| 5-7 | O/U record | 7-5 |
| 5.9 | Yards per play | 5.0 |
| 5.3 | Yards allowed per play | 5.6 |
| -0.5 | Turnover margin | +0.6 |
| 5-0 | Last 5 games | 2-3 |
| W, 23-17 vs. San Diego State | Previous result | W, 17-7 vs. Wisconsin |
📺 How to watch New Mexico vs. Minnesota: Rate Bowl
- Date: Friday, Dec. 26
- Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Chase Field (Phoenix)
- TV: ESPN
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