Minnesota Golden Gophers vs TCU Horned Frogs Point Spread Picks

A loaded TCU squad heads to rebuilding Minnesota for the opener. The Frogs are off a 12-1 SU/11-2 ATS campaign, and Gary Patterson’s squad has a chip on its shoulder after getting shut out of the Final Four. Just to show how good they were, TCU destroyed a great Ole Miss defense in the bowl, 42-3! They will be more inclined to rub it in and build up points after Ohio State did it late last season and leapfrogged the Frogs. This TCU team is loaded, with 10 starters back on offense and five on defense. Offensive coordinator Doug Meacham helped jumpstart the offense, which averaged 46.5 points (second in the nation), 326 yards passing (seventh), and 206.8 rushing. Everyone is back, led by senior QB Trevone Boykin (33 TDs, 10 INTs, 3,901 yards), senior RB Aaron Green (922 yards), with senior WRs 6-4 Josh Doctson (1,018 yards) and Kolby Listenbee (753, 18.4 yards per catch) to scorch defenses. The defense was eighth in nation in points allowed (19 points per game), and senior DT Davion Pierson and DE Mike Tuaua return. The Horned Frogs are 5-0 ATS in non-conference games and face a retooling Minnesota team. Junior QB Mitch Leidner (11 TDs, 8 INTs) is back, but completed just 51.5% of his attempts. He lost his top target, so Minnesota must find some new receiving targets. This offense was average, ranked 69th in points and 121st in the nation in passing with just 148.8 yards per contest. They don't match up well against the angry and super-talented Frogs. Play TCU.