MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The Golden Gophers football team is set to take on Texas Tech in a bowl game starting at 8 p.m. Friday.

The teams will face off in the Meineke Car Care Bowl in Texas, and fans WCCO-TV spoke with Friday say they’ve waited a long time for this.

It’s the Gophers’ first bowl game since 2009 in Houston. Though one fan we spoke with thought the bowl’s name was hilarious, there won’t be much laughing when the Gophers take the field.

They’ll have their game faces on as they take on Texas Tech, because the Gophers are underdogs and will have their work cut out for them.

“I think they are going to get blown out,” said one fan.

Dinkytown was deserted, but we did manage to find a few outspoken Gopher fans. Tim Bruhn is a big fan of not only the team, but also coach Jerry Kill.

“Obviously Kill has turned a lot of teams around, most notable NIU. It’s a building point, and we can probably only go up from here. As a long time Gopher fan, I’m pretty excited to see how it ends up,” he said.

“It’s going to be a great matchup,” said Johnny Larson. “I think the Gophers have a good chance of beating these guys. They’re known for beating the really good guys here and there and this might be one of those nights.”

Some fans also had some strategy for scoring.

“They’ll run the ball heavily and then surprise with the deep pass, open the game up more,” said Bob Larson.

Many fans in Dinkytown agreed that the team has the opportunity to shock a lot of people.

Senser’s is hosting the official viewing party. That starts at 7 p.m. at both their Bloomington and Roseville locations.