Quick Lane Bowl: Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Yellow Jackets Johnson Coaching Final Game

The fans at Ford Field will see the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on Wednesday afternoon. The teams are meeting in the 2018 Quick Lane Bowl. The bowl game features teams from the Big Ten conference and the ACC.

TV: 5:15 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Georgia Tech -6; O/U: 57.

It is the end of an era for Georgia Tech. Eleventh year coach Paul Johnson will direct the Yellow Jackets for the final time. The 61-year-old announced he is stepping down after the game. He has spent the time since trying to deflect attention from his farewell. Johnson’s triple-option offense has given opponents fits over the years. The Yellow Jacket offense also ranks among the nation’s top rushing attacks year-in and year-out.

The Yellow Jackets reached their ninth bowl under Johnson, and it wasn’t easy. The team can give thanks to a furious late-season hot streak that erased a 1-3 start. They finished with six victories in seven games. Those victories weren’t against cupcakes either. They included wins over Virginia Tech, Miami and Virginia. The rushing offense remains the focal point. Georgia Tech has rushed for a FBS-leading 334.9 yards per contest. Quarterbacks TaQuon Marshall and Tobias Oliver have combined for 1,703 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns. The duo also has passed for a total of 990 yards.

Minnesota won three of its final five games to become bowl eligible. It included a stunning 37-15 rout at Wisconsin to beat the Badgers for the first time since 2003. The Golden Gophers season may have turned when Joe Rossi was elevated to interim defensive coordinator on Nov. 3rd. Minnesota allowed only 49 points in its final three games. Before that they had surrendered 40-plus points in four of the previous six matchups. Minnesota will not have leading tackler Blake Cashman, as he is foregoing his remaining eligibility to prepare for the NFL Draft.

This, That, and a Dart Throw

The Golden Gophers were 6-6 overall and 3-6 in the Big Ten during the regular season. Cashman is one of two starters to skip the Quick Lane Bowl. Left tackle Donnell Green is following suit. That means new starters will be in place. Linebacker Jacob Huff will be one of those new starters. He recorded 10 tackles in each of Minnesota’s final two games. Running back Mohamed Ibrahim is ninth in the Big Ten in rushing with 936 yards. He has also chipped in seven touchdowns in nine games. Quarterback Tanner Morgan has played more as the season has progressed. He is completing 59 percent of his pass attempts.

The Yellow Jackets were 7-5 overall and 5-3 in the ACC during the regular season. Georgia Tech scores plenty of points. as they average 36.6 per game. The issue is they have allowed 28.9 per contest. Two of the worst performances came against powerhouses Clemson and Georgia. They gave up 49 and 45 points, respectfully. Defensive lineman Anree Saint-Amour recorded team highs in tackles for loss (11), sacks (four) and forced fumbles (three). He also intercepted two passes. Marshall has rushed for 100-plus yards four times in 11 games. He has surpassed 100 passing yards just three times. Two of those games coming against Alcorn State and Bowling Green.

PREDICTION: Georgia Tech 41, Minnesota 27

Quick Lane Bowl Betting Odds & Trends

Team Last 5 Games Minnesota Golden Gophers

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

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