MINNESOTA vs. VIRGINIA TECH

When: 6:30 p.m. CT Friday
Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C.
TV: ESPN
Radio: KFAN, 100.3 FM
Weather: 45 degrees, clear skies, 10 mph east wind
Betting spread: Minnesota, minus-9.5

Records: Minnesota (7-5) beat rival Wisconsin 24-7 on Black Friday to produce head coach P.J. Fleck’s fifth winning season in eight years at the U. Virginia Tech (6-6) topped rival Virginia 37-17 to reach bowl eligibility in the regular-season finale. Hokies head coach Brent Pry is 16-20 over three seasons.

History: The Gophers have won seven straight bowl games since beating Missouri in the 2014 Citrus Bowl; that run is the longest streak in Big Ten history, and the longest active run in the nation. Fleck is a perfect 5-0 in bowls at Minnesota since 2018.

Big question: Who is playing? Virginia Tech is expected to be without 13 starters because of injuries, and players leaving via the NCAA transfer portal or opting out for the NFL. Minnesota has lost only one starter to the portal — OT Phillip Daniels (Ohio State) — but is expected to be without a handful of other starters due to opt-outs. The most likely absences are LT Aireontae Ersery, WR Daniel Jackson, CB Justin Walley, LB Cody Lindenberg and DE Jah Joyner.

Key matchup: QB Max Brosmer vs. shorthanded Hokies secondary. Brosmer is eight completions away from Adam Weber’s single-season school record of 258; he should be able to break that in the first half with a handful of regular targets still playing: Darius Taylor, Elijah Spencer, Jameson Geers and Le’Meke Brockington. The Hokies are without the majority of its key defensive backs.

Who has the edge?

Gophers offense vs. Virginia Tech defense: After falling short of contending for the ACC title, Pry fired defensive coordinator Chris Marve on Dec. 12. Pry, who was Penn State’s defensive coordinator from 2018-21, will have former Hokies assistant Bud Foster helping out on Friday. Fleck said the Gophers have prepared for a Foster scheme. … The Gophers’ offense might be down three starting linemen, with Tyler Cooper also projected to be out, but the Hokies are without top D-linemen Antwaun Powell-Ryland and Aeneas Peoples. That duo had a combined 84 pressures during the regular season, per Pro Football Focus. Freshman OL Nathan Roy is a candidate to step in for Minnesota. … U tailback Taylor has been a focal point of the passing game with 50 receptions this season, two short of Chuck Rios’ single-season program record for catches by a running back. Taylor had a career-high 208 rushing yards to win MVP of the 2023 Quick Lane Bowl and could run wild Friday. … All-American safety Koi Perich dabbled on offense this season but is not expected to have an extensive role on that side of the ball. EDGE: Gophers 

Gophers defense vs. Virginia Tech offense: The Hokies are expected to start backup QB William Watson III to run a pass offense ranked 103rd in the nation (192 ppg.) He is a dangerous threat to run, and the Gophers’ defense will need to stay disciplined. … Va. Tech will be without RB Bhayshul Tuten, who ranked 23rd in the nation (1,159 ypg.) this season. He averaged 6.3 yards s carry and ran for 15 touchdowns. … Pry also fired offensive line coach Rob Crook three weeks ago. The Hokies are allowing 2.4 sacks per game; DE Anthony Smith and others along the D-line should be able to get home. … DC Corey Heatherman earned a contract extension and raise in December after his defense was 15th in the nation, allowing 4.7 yards per play. The projected absence of Lindenberg, who led the team with 94 tackles, will need to be filled. … CB ZaQuan Bryan should see a bigger role on Friday. EDGE: Gophers 

Special teams: Hokies specialist K John Love (15 of 17 field goals) and P Peter Moore (45.1-yard average) have been reliable. Minnesota’s Dragan Kesich and Mark Crawford have been good but not as reliable. Perich, who had a 60-yard punt return against Michigan in September, is a threat. EDGE: Virginia Tech

Prediction: The betting line has more than doubled as the scales have tipped to more Hokies than Gophers players expected to be out. And Minnesota has always come to play hard in bowl games under Fleck. Gophers, 31-19

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