Minnesota Gophers predictions: Game 6 at Nebraska

Minnesota is back on the field Saturday after having to cancel its last two games due to COVID-19 concerns.

The Gophers return but won’t have top wide receiver Rashod Bateman, who opted out of the rest of the season. Bateman has 36 receptions on the season. Next highest on Minnesota is Chris Autman-Bell with 14. Running back Mohamad Ibrahim has eight and freshman wideout Daniel Jackson five. Everyone else combined has 13.

So, there’s obviously a concern for Minnesota’s passing game. Not to mention shaking off the rust of not having played since Nov. 20. And how players have recovered from COVID and if they were able to get back in football shape. Or even which players won’t suit up.

Nebraska is coming off a 37-27 win at Purdue and a narrow 26-20 loss at Iowa, so people seem optimistic (relatively speaking) concerning the Huskers.

Here’s this week’s predictions from around the web:

Pete Fiutak of Collegefootballnews.com: Nebraska 34, Minnesota 27. “How much can Minnesota impose its will with the ground game? The passing attack hasn’t worked all year like it should’ve, and now there’s no Rashod Bateman to rely on. Nebraska won’t be sharp, but it’ll move the ball just well enough to overcome a massive day from the Gopher ground game with a third straight strong performance from Nebraska QB Adrian Martinez.”

Josh Slagter of mlive.com: Nebraska 34, Minnesota 17. “Nebraska hasn’t won back-to-back games since September 2019, and now its a double-digit favorite at home. But the Gophers enter this game hit hard by COVID-19, and certainly won’t be at full strength. Star WR Rashod Bateman opted back out, so the Cornhuskers will really zero in on Minnesota’s run game. Last week, Nebraska grabbed a 17-0 lead and held on against Purdue. A quick start again should put the Gophers away.”

Chad Leistikow of the Des Moines Register: Nebraska 31, Minnesota 24. “The Gophers haven’t played since Nov. 20 after COVID-19 issues in their program and now star receiver Rashod Bateman has opted out for the season. The Cornhuskers are getting inspired play from quarterback Adrian Martinez and would like to atone for last year’s 34-7 loss to Minnesota.”

Joe Vozzelli Jr. of the Champaign News-Gazette: Nebraska 35, Minnesota 31. “The Gophers will end a forced two-week COVID-19 break against a Cornhuskers team that played its best game of this season at Purdue last week thanks to old/new quarterback Adrian Martinez (287 total yards, three touchdowns in the win). Have to think Martinez does it again while P.J. Fleck’s team shakes off rust from its lengthy time away.”

Sam McKewon of the Omaha World-Leader: Nebraska 31, Minnesota 17. “NU played its best game in two years at Purdue. Hats off for that. Further, this is one of the few Big Ten games in the Frost era where it feels like Nebraska has the considerable edge. Maryland 2019 was one. Illinois 2018 was another. The Huskers won those in routs.”

Brandon Cavanaugh of Athlon Sports: Nebraska 30, Minnesota 27. “Another Big Red victory comes the same way those against Penn State and Purdue did. They take a comfortable lead into the half and hold on tight. Purdue managed 334 yards through the air including an 89-yard jaunt for a score courtesy of David Bell. Look for Ibrahim to break free for some big chunk plays — if not a couple of long touchdown runs — but the Huskers keep things interesting until the final moments yet again.”

Andy Greder of the Pioneer Press: Nebraska 35, Minnesota 21.

Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter: Nebraska 21, Minnesota 17.

The Oklahoman’s Berry Tramel: Nebraska 41, Minnesota 16.

Mark Hasty of Go Iowa Awesome: Nebraska 35, Minnesota 24. “I checked and unfortunately one of these teams has to win this game. I know, it’s an outrage. But fact of the matter is that Nebraska has improved as the season has gone along, while Minnesota has merely existed, its hopes of repeating last year’s prestige bowl appearance sinking faster than P.J. Fleck’s coaching stock. Yet I don’t think anyone would call either of these teams “good.” I’ll go with the Huskers, but confidence is low.”

Joe Williams of Sportsbook Wire: Minnesota 34, Nebraska 29.

Joe DiTullio of GameHaus: Nebraska

Bill Connelly of ESPN: His S&P projection has it Nebraska 34, Minnesota 30.

All three Athlon Sports writers pick Minnesota to lose.