Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Drake Lindsey (3) makes a catch against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the second quarter at the Duke’s Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Buffalo Bulls and Minnesota Golden Gophers open their seasons Thursday. Kickoff from Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (FS1). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's NCAA football odds around the Buffalo vs. Minnesota odds and make our expert college football picks and predictions for the best bets.

Buffalo finished third in the MAC last season with a 9-4 overall record and a 6-2 conference mark, closing the year with a Bahamas Bowl victory. The Bulls averaged 28.8 points per game on offense while allowing 27.5, and they went 8-5 ATS.

Minnesota tied for seventh last season in the tougher Big Ten with an 8-5 overall record and a 5-4 conference mark, capping the year with a Duke’s Mayo Bowl victory. The Golden Gophers averaged 24.3 points per game while allowing 18.3 -- the 10th-fewest in the FBS -- and finished 9-3-1 ATS.

– Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll, conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports

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Buffalo at Minnesota odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:36 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Buffalo +650 (bet $100 to win $650) | Minnesota -1000 (bet $1000 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Buffalo +17.5 (-110) | Minnesota -17.5 (-110)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 43.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Buffalo at Minnesota picks and predictions

Prediction

Golden Gophers 28, Bulls 13

Moneyline

PASS.

There is no value on the Golden Gophers (-1000) to win Thursday.

Against the spread

LEAN BULLS +17.5 (-110).

While the Gophers hold the overall advantage, coming from a tougher conference and playing at home, the spread is too high to be confident in the favorites.

The Bulls won’t have QB C.J. Ogbonna back, but RB Al-Jay Henderson returns after proving to be a dual threat with 1,078 rushing yards, 238 receiving yards and 10 total touchdowns.

It will be an uphill battle for Buffalo Thursday, but expect the Bulls to show enough fight to cover.

Over/Under

BET UNDER 43.5 (-110).

Season openers, especially on weeknights, often get sloppy as teams try to implement new looks and settle into their schemes.

The Gophers had one of the nation’s best defenses last year and will look to pick up where they left off. The total, however, will largely depend on whether the Bulls can keep Minnesota out of the end zone.

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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: Buffalo Bulls at Minnesota Golden Gophers odds, picks and predictions

Reporting by Seth Orlemann, Sportsbook Wire / Sportsbook Wire

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