Minnesota has ability to keep it close against TCU
TCU is a huge favorite to win its opener Thursday against Minnesota, but it appears, via the numbers, Minnesota could give the Frogs a close game.
Minnesota has 12 starters back from last year and although the Big Ten wasn't great last season, the Gophers nearly made it to the Big Ten title game.
Five starters are back on offense, including quarterback Mitch Leidner. Gone is 1,600-yard rusher David Cobb. Minnesota is deeper than its been in five seasons and has seven starters back on defense.
Want more abstract numbers? Well, Minnesota is 3-0 against the spread the past three times its been a home underdog and the Gophers are 4-1 against the spread in its past five season-openers. The Gophers are about a two-touchdown underdog against the Frogs. They lost last year to TCU, 30-7 in Fort Worth.
(h/t Bleacher Report)