In a re-match (of sorts) of a crazy bowl game from a few seasons ago 7-5 Texas Tech and 6-6 Minnesota get together in the Meineke Car Care Bowl Friday, Dec. 28 in Houston (9 pm ET, ESPN).
For the early Meineke Bowl odds most books were listing the Red Raiders, who tied for fifth place in the Big 12 this season, as 13-point favorites over the Gophers, who finished in last place in the Big Ten's Legends Division.
Favorites are 8-1-2 ATS in the past 11 Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas games while the Red Raiders are just 1-5 ATS in their past six bowl games. [ More Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas betting stats and trends ]
View Minnesota vs Texas Tech Odds and Stats.
Betting Line: Bettors looking to side with the Red Raiders in this one found them as 12.5-point favorites at Sportsbook. The over under number was sitting at 57 earlier over at Sportsbook.
Minnesota Bowl History
| Year | Bowl | Team1 | Score | Team2 | Score | Team2 Line | ATS win |
| 1999 | Sun Bowl | Minnesota | 20 | Oregon | 24 | 2 | OREG |
| 2000 | MicronPC.com Bowl | Minnesota | 30 | North Carolina State | 38 | 3.5 | N.C.ST |
| 2002 | Music City Bowl | Arkansas | 14 | Minnesota | 29 | -8.5 | MINN |
| 2003 | Sun Bowl | Oregon | 30 | Minnesota | 31 | -5.5 | OREG |
| 2004 | Music City Bowl | Minnesota | 20 | Alabama | 16 | -3 | MINN |
| 2005 | Music City Bowl | Virginia | 34 | Minnesota | 31 | -6.5 | VIRGNA |
| 2006 | Insight Bowl | Minnesota | 41 | Texas Tech | 44 | -8 | MINN |
| 2008 | Insight Bowl | Minnesota | 21 | Kansas | 42 | -9 | KANSAS |
| 2009 | Insight Bowl | Iowa State | 14 | Minnesota | 13 | -2 | IOWAST |
Texas Tech Bowl History
| Year | Bowl | Team1 | Score | Team2 | Score | Team2 Line | ATS win |
| 1995 | Insight Bowl | Texas Tech | 55 | Air Force | 41 | 4 | TXTECH |
| 1996 | Alamo Bowl | Texas Tech | 0 | Iowa | 27 | 3 | IOWA |
| 1998 | Independence Bowl | Mississippi | 35 | Texas Tech | 18 | -8.5 | MISS |
| 2000 | GalleryFurniture.com Bowl | East Carolina | 40 | Texas Tech | 27 | -1 | E.CAR |
| 2001 | Alamo Bowl | Iowa | 19 | Texas Tech | 16 | -1.5 | IOWA |
| 2002 | Tangerine Bowl | Texas Tech | 55 | Clemson | 15 | 4.5 | TXTECH |
| 2003 | Houston Bowl | Navy | 14 | Texas Tech | 38 | -10.5 | TXTECH |
| 2004 | Holiday Bowl | Texas Tech | 45 | California | 31 | -10.5 | TXTECH |
| 2005 | Cotton Bowl | Alabama | 13 | Texas Tech | 10 | -3 | ALAB |
| 2006 | Insight Bowl | Minnesota | 41 | Texas Tech | 44 | -8 | MINN |
| 2007 | Gator Bowl | Texas Tech | 31 | Virginia | 28 | 6.5 | VIRGNA |
| 2008 | Cotton Bowl | Mississippi | 47 | Texas Tech | 34 | -4 | MISS |
| 2009 | Alamo Bowl | Michigan State | 31 | Texas Tech | 41 | -9.5 | TXTECH |
| 2010 | Ticket City Bowl | Northwestern | 38 | Texas Tech | 45 | -7.5 | NWESTN |
How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up Texas Tech's No. 16-ranked offense (37.8 PPG) against a Golden Gophers defense that ranks No. 39 at 23.9 PPG. The Red Raiders passing attack has averaged 361.9 yards per game, more than the Golden Gophers give up through the air (178.5 YPG on average).
In comparing defenses, the Golden Gophers own the league's No. 74-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 182.4 yards per game when on the road. Texas Tech, on the other hand, rates No. 81 this week in generating rushing yards at home.
Minnesota was a 26-10 loser in its last match at home against Michigan State. They failed to cover the 7.5-point spread as underdogs, while the total score of 36 sent UNDER bettors to the payout window. In their last game, the Golden Gophers were Week 13 losers coming out on the wrong end of 26-10 score against Michigan State.
Last time out for Texas Tech, they were a 52-45 loser as they battled Baylor on the road. Texas Tech failed to cover in the match as a 3.5-point underdog, while 97 combined points moved the game OVER for totals bettors. In their last game, Baylor's aerial attack generated 396 yards and the Bears came away with a 52-45 victory over Texas Tech at Cowboys Stadium.
Minnesota Golden Gophers Trends:
When playing in December are 3-6
When playing on grass are 1-9
After being outgained are 3-7
When an underdog on the road are 1-9
Texas Tech Red Raiders Trends:
When playing in December are 5-4
When playing on grass are 7-3
After being outgained are 4-6
When favored at home are 6-4
A few Golden Gophers at Red Raiders trends to consider:
Minnesota is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games
Minnesota is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Texas Tech's last 6 games
Texas Tech is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Texas Tech is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
