The No. 24 Northwestern Wildcats (-2.5) are set to pay a visit to the Minnesota Golden Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium. This key conference matchup will start at 12:00 p.m. ET and fans can catch the action by tuning in to BTN.
Northwestern Wildcats at Minnesota Golden Gophers Betting Preview
In this Saturday Big Ten game, Northwestern is tabbed as the favorite and is currently giving up 2.5 points. The Wildcats are also receiving -140 moneyline odds while the Golden Gophers are +120. Oddsmakers have set the over/under (O/U) at 50.5 points, and should one program can create a bunch of points early on, it will likely lead to a nice betting opportunity in-game.
This matchup’s line has recently moved down from 3.5 to where it stands now (2.5). The game’s total hasn’t changed after being set initially at 50.5.
The profitable Wildcats have recorded 7.7 units so far and are 5-4-1 against the spread (ATS). The team’s posted an O/U mark of 5-5. The Golden Gophers are down 0.3 units this season. The team is 6-4 ATS and the over’s hit in six of its games.
The Wildcats are 6-4 straight up (SU), including 6-1 SU against conference opponents. The Golden Gophers are 5-5 SU overall and 2-5 SU in conference play.
These two teams faced off last year with the final result being a 39-0 win for Northwestern.
The Wildcats enter after a 14-10 win over Iowa last week. The passing attack could’ve been better as Clayton Thorson completed just 15 passes on 30 attempts for 122 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Isaiah Bowser (165 yards on 31 rush attempts, one TD) led the ground attack. Cameron Green (five receptions, 30 yards) and Bennett Skowronek (three catches, 45 yards, one TD) shared the receiving duties in the win.
Minnesota is coming off of a 41-10 win over Purdue. Tanner Morgan completed 10-of-18 passes for 139 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Mohamed Ibrahim (155 rushing yards on 18 attempts) and Bryce Williams (68 yards on nine carries, one TD) spearheaded the running game while Tyler Johnson (five receptions, 73 yards, one TD) and Chris Autman-Bell (three catches, 44 yards) led the receiving attack in the win.
Northwestern has run the ball on 47.1 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Minnesota has an overall rush percentage of 58.3 percent. The Wildcats have run for 102 yards per game (including 104 per game versus Big Ten opponents) and have 18 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Gophers are logging 165 rush yards per game (158 in conference) and have 17 total rushing TDs.
The Wildcats offensive scheme has tallied 250 yards/contest in the air overall (239 per game against conference opposition) and has 12 passing TDs so far. The Gophers have produced 226 pass yards per outing (240.3 in the Big 10) and have 17 total pass scores.
Defensively, Northwestern has allowed opponents to run for an average of 135 yards and pass for 238 yards per game. The Minnesota D has allowed 226.5 yards per game to opposing passers and 178.3 yards per game to opposing runners. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to the opposition, as the Wildcats have given up an ANY/A of 6.28 to opposing QBs, while the Gophers are allowing an ANY/A of 6.05.
Passing-wise, Thorson has put up 2,194 yards this year. He’s connected on 208-of-348 attempts with 11 scores through the air and 12 interceptions. He’s got a 4.72 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 2.68 over the past two games.
In the other huddle, Tanner Morgan has connected on 40-of-64 passes for 690 yards, four TDs and four INTs. Morgan’s ANY/A sits at 8.66 for the season and 7.88 across his past two games.
RELATED: Week 12 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
Free Prediction: Northwestern Wildcats vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers
SU Winner – Northwestern, ATS Winner – Northwestern, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes
Minnesota has lost 10 fumbles this season while Northwestern has lost two.
The Minnesota defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks 18 times this season. Northwestern has registered 13 sacks.
Northwestern has produced 3.5 yards per carry across its last three outings and 3.4 over its last two.
Minnesota has averaged 5.1 yards per carry over its last three games and 5.3 over its past two.
In its last three matchups, Minnesota is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
The Over/Under for Northwestern’s last game was set at 45.5. The under cashed in the team’s 14-10 win over Iowa.
Over its last three matches, Northwestern is 2-0-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
The O/U for Minnesota’s last match was 58.5. The under cashed in that 41-10 victory over Purdue.
Northwestern has won six of its last seven games SU, with a November 3rd defeat to Notre Dame representing the only loss over that stretch.
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