By Pete Fiutak | August 24, 2017 9:27 pm CT

Minnesota vs. Buffalo Fearless Prediction & Game Preview

Check out the Minnesota vs. Buffalo fearless prediction, thoughts, and game preview.

– CFN Fearless Predictions & Game Previews
– CFN Expert Picks
– Week 1 TV Schedule & Game Times

Minnesota (0-0) vs. Buffalo (0-0) Game Preview

Broadcast, TV, Game Time

Date: Thursday, August 31st
Game Time: 7:00 pm
Venue: TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN
Network: BTN

– 2017 CFN Preview
Minnesota Preview | Buffalo Preview

P.J. Fleck left life as a superstar MAC coach to kick off his new life as the Minnesota head man with a date against … a MAC team.

His Golden Gophers will be tested more at Oregon State next week, and even against the Middle Tennessee offense, but for Fleck, this is the game to show Minnesota fans what the team might be. He needs to give them a glimpse of potential greatness.

Buffalo isn’t supposed to be more than a scrimmage, but it’s a more talented team than last season with the upside to make some noise in the MAC. It has just enough interesting playmakers to keep this from getting out of hand.

One Reason Why Buffalo Will Win

Does Minnesota have the passing game to do much of anything if the Buffalo defense comes out rocking? With Conor Rhoda and Demry Croft co-starters – at least that’s how Fleck put it – it’s going to be a quirky rotation to start things out.

With almost the entire defensive back seven returning, the Bulls have the pieces to put together a feisty, tough D, especially at safety. However …

One Reason Why Minnesota Will Win

The Buffalo defensive line is all but starting over, with the top linemen of last season – along with most of the depth – lacking the pass rush and the experience to hold up when the Gopher running game gets into a lather.

Yes, the Minnesota passing attack will take center stage – it has to look efficient from the start – but when it has to, the great backs will pound away behind a good-looking line. It might not be pretty, but the Gophers should be effective.

What’s Going To Happen

All that matters is whether or not Rhoda or Croft is able to separate from the other and be the main man at quarterback. It’ll take a little bit to put away an improved UB team with an interesting QB in 6-7 Tyree Jackson, but thanks to the ground game, the time of possession will be dominated by the guys in maroon and gold.