Miami football six most likely bowl opponents

Minnesota

If Miami does not play in the Sun Bowl, they are expected to return to New York and Yankee Stadium for the second time to play in the Pinstripe Bowl.

Miami has one other appearance in the Pinstripe Bowl losing to Wisconsin in 2018. Richard Johnson of Sports Illustrated projects Miami to play 8-4 Minnesota in the Pinstripe Bowl.

Despite long and historic histories for the Miami and Minnesota football programs, the Hurricanes and Golden Gophers have never played. Minnesota has won its last four bowl games dating to 2015. Since becoming the head coach in 2017, P.J. Fleck has led Minnesota to a 34-23 record.

Minnesota has never played in the Pinstripe Bowl. The Golden Gophers did play in the Micron P.C. Bowl after the 2000 season at what is now Hard Rock Stadium. Minnesota’s 8-4 record in 2021 is its best season under Fleck. Minnesota averages 26.1 PPG to rank 84th nationally and allows 18.2 PPG which is 12th.

After losing 45-31 to Ohio State in their season opener, Minnesota has not allowed more than 27 points the remainder of the season. The Golden Gophers closer 2021 with six wins in their final eight games. Back-to-back losses to Illinois and Iowa last month were the only blemishes for Minnesota in the final two months of 2021.