A couple of schools that like to run the football, Badgers (-10) are preparing to host their Big 10 nemesis Minnesota Golden Gophers in Wisconsin. This daytime game is scheduled to get underway at 3:30 p.m. ET and ESPN2 has the TV rights.
Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Wisconsin Badgers Betting Preview
This Saturday Big 10 matchup shows the Golden Gophers as a noticeable underdogs and they’re currently getting 10 points. If they are wanting to take the moneyline, gamblers would currently need to put down $400 in order to win $100 back on the Badgers (-400). The Golden Gophers are getting +300 moneyline odds. Oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 54 points, and should one team can create a bunch of points early, it would likely generate a decent betting opportunity in-game.
The Golden Gophers are 6-5 against the spread (ATS) and have lost 1.6 units so far. The team’s posted an O/U record of 6-5. The Badgers have lost 0.5 units this season. The team is 3-8 ATS and also has an O/U record of 6-5.
The Golden Gophers are 5-6 straight up (SU), including 2-6 SU against Big 10 opponents. The Badgers are 7-4 SU overall and 5-3 SU in conference play.
The Golden Gophers came up short to Northwestern 24-14 in a matchup where the passing attack could’ve been more effective as Tanner Morgan completed 19 passes for 197 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Mohamed Ibrahim (98 yards on 20 rush attempts, one TD) and the signal-caller Morgan (four yards on 11 carries) mounted the ground attack in the loss. Tyler Johnson (eight receptions, 88 yards, one TD) and Rashod Bateman (four catches, 54 yards) shared the receiving duties.
Wisconsin enters this Saturday’s matchup after just getting a 47-44 win over Purdue. The defensive secondary allowed the Boilermakers to air it out for 386 yards and four touchdowns. Rondale Moore had a productive outing in the loss, recording 114 yards and two touchdowns on nine catches for Purdue. For Wisconsin, Jack Coan completed 16-of-24 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns. Jonathan Taylor really did it all in the win. Along with 321 rushing yards on 33 attempts (and three TDs), Taylor also reeled in five receptions for 89 yards.
Minnesota has run the ball on 57.8 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Wisconsin has an overall rush percentage of 65.0 percent. The Golden Gophers have produced 160 rush yards per game (including 152 per game against Big Ten opponents) and have 18 touchdowns via handoffs this year. The Badgers are averaging 277 rush yards per game (275 in conference) and have 28 total rushing TDs.
It appears that the Badgers ought to own the advantage in all aspects of the ground game. Their backfield has produced 6.3 yards per carry while their defense is allowing 4.4 YPC to opponents. The Golden Gophers have tallied 4.1 yards per carry while allowing a YPC of 5.2 to opponents.
The Gophers offensive scheme has averaged 223 yards through the air overall (235 per game against conference opposition) and has 18 passing scores so far. The Badgers have put up 167 pass yards per contest (154.5 against Big 10 competition) and have 16 total pass TDs.
Defensively, Minnesota has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 171 yards and pass for 227 yards per game. The Wisconsin defense has allowed 207.8 yards per game to opposing passers and 154.0 yards per game on the ground. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to the opposition, as the Gophers have given up an ANY/A of 6.23 to opposing QBs, while the Badgers are allowing an ANY/A of 5.74.
Offensively, Morgan is up to 1,006 passing yards this season. He’s completed 63-of-105 attempts with six passing scores and five interceptions. He’s got a 7.55 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 3.84 over the past two outings.
Mohamed Ibrahim, Tyler Johnson and Rashod Bateman have collectively accounted for 509 total yards and three touchdowns over the last two outings.
Jack Coan has completed 41-of-62 passes for 428 yards, four TDs and zero INTs for Wisconsin. His ANY/A sits at 7.72 for the season and 3.24 across his last two games.
Jonathan Taylor, Danny Davis III and A.J. Taylor have combined to account for 701 total yards and six touchdowns over the last two outings.
These two programs faced off a year ago with the final result being a 31-0 victory for Wisconsin.
RELATED: Week 13 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
Betting Prediction: Minnesota Golden Gophers at Wisconsin Badgers
SU Winner – Wisconsin, ATS Winner – Wisconsin, O/U – Over
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Betting Trends
The O/U for Minnesota’s last game was 48.5. The under cashed in the team’s 24-14 defeat to Northwestern.
Minnesota has averaged 4.7 yards per carry across its past three outings and 4.9 over its last two.
Wisconsin has averaged 6.8 yards per carry over its last three matchups and 6.8 over its last two.
Wisconsin has lost nine fumbles this season while Minnesota has let 11 get away.
In its last three matches, Minnesota is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
The O/U for Wisconsin’s previous match going into it was 56.5. The over cashed in the 47-44 triumph over Purdue.
In its last three matches, Wisconsin is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
The Golden Gophers offense has tallied seven pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Badgers have put up two such plays.
The Minnesota defense has allowed nine pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Wisconsin has given up seven such plays.
The Minnesota offense has created 11 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Wisconsin has created 28 such runs.
The Golden Gophers defense has allowed 22 rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while the Badgers have given up 14 such runs.
The Minnesota defense has 20 sacks on the year while Wisconsin has 18.
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