Two schools that prefer to run the football, Head Coach P.J. Fleck and the Minnesota Golden Gophers (+4) are set to face off against the Nebraska Cornhuskers (-4) at Tom Osborne Field at Memorial Stadium. This conference game is scheduled to kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET and fans can catch it live by tuning in to BTN.
Betting Preview: Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Minnesota is a live dog and is currently getting 4 points in this Saturday Big 10 matchup. The Golden Gophers are also receiving +155 moneyline odds while the Cornhuskers are -175. If one squad can catch a lucky break early on it will produce a decent in-game betting opportunity. Vegas has determined the over/under (O/U) to be 56 points.
The game’s total hasn’t changed after it was initially posted at 56. Having said that, the line opened at -5 and sharp bettors are siding with the Golden Gophers.
The Golden Gophers have recorded 0.0 units so far and are 4-2 against the spread (ATS). The team has recorded an O/U mark of 3-3.
The Cornhuskers have been a disappointment to moneyline bettors this season, losing 9.8 units. They’re 2-4 ATS and the over has hit in four of their games.
The Golden Gophers have gone 3-3 straight up (SU), including 0-3 SU against conference opponents. The Cornhuskers are 0-6 SU overall and 0-4 SU in conference play.
When these two squads faced each other a year ago, Minnesota won easily 54-21.
The Gophers came up short to Ohio State 30-14 in a game where the passing game could’ve been better as Zack Annexstad completed just 13-of-23 passes for 218 yards and two interceptions. Mohamed Ibrahim (157 yards on 23 rush attempts, two TDs) propelled the running attack while Tyler Johnson (eight receptions, 119 yards) and Bryce Witham (two catches, 62 yards) manned the receiving duties in the defeat.
Nebraska narrowly dropped a 34-31 game to Northwestern. Adrian Martinez completed 25-of-35 passes for 251 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Devine Ozigbo (159 yards on 22 rush attempts, two TDs) and the signal-caller Martinez (37 yards on 13 carries) spearheaded the running attack as JD Spielman (eight receptions, 76 yards, one TD) led the pass-catching attack in the loss.
Minnesota’s run the ball on 57.6 percent of its offensive plays this year, including 53.3 percent across possessions in conference play. Nebraska has an overall rush percentage of 54.6 percent, and has kept it on the ground 49.1 percent of the time against Big 10 opponents. The Golden Gophers have run for 150.5 yards per game (including 119.3 per game versus Big Ten opponents) and have eight touchdowns on the ground this year. The Cornhuskers are putting up 192.7 rushing yards per game (160.0 in conference) and have 10 total rush TDs.
If the numbers so far this season are any indication, then the Cornhuskers ought to have the more disruptive lines up front. Their offensive line has allowed only 14 sacks while the D-line has logged 15 sacks. The Golden Gophers O-line has given up 15 sacks and their defense has logged only 11 sacks.
The Gophers offense has averaged 200.0 yards in the air overall (207.0 per game against conference opposition) and has nine passing TDs so far. The Cornhuskers have produced 247.8 pass yards per game (269 against Big 10 competition) and have eight total pass scores.
Minnesota appears to have an advantage in both defensive phases. The team has allowed opponents to run for an average of 121.5 yards and pass for 232.7 yards per game. The Nebraska D has allowed 268.8 yards per game to opposing passers and 177.0 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 5.93 to opposing QBs, while the Cornhuskers are yielding an ANY/A of 6.21.
Offensively, Annexstad has put up 924 passing yards this year, and has completed 53 percent of his 134 attempts with five passing scores and four interceptions. He’s got a 5.38 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 3.67 over the last two outings.
In the other huddle, Adrian Martinez has completed 72-of-112 passes for 783 yards, four TDs and five INTs. Martinez’s ANY/A stands at 4.70 for the year and 7.33 over his past two outings.
Minnesota Golden Gophers at Nebraska Cornhuskers NCAA Pick
SU Winner: Nebraska, ATS Winner: Nebraska, O/U: Over
Betting Notes
- The Nebraska defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks 15 times this year. Minnesota has produced 11 sacks.
- Nebraska has lost six fumbles this season while Minnesota has let five get away.
- The Golden Gophers offense has registered two pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Cornhuskers have accounted for three such plays.
- The Minnesota defense has allowed five pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Nebraska has given up six such plays.
- The Minnesota offense has created six rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while Nebraska has created 15 such runs.
- The Golden Gophers defense has allowed seven rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Cornhuskers have given up 11 such runs.
- The Over/Under for Nebraska’s last outing was set at 58. The over cashed in that 34-31 loss to Northwestern.
- In its last three matchups, Nebraska is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in each of those three.
- Over its last three contests, Minnesota is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- The O/U for Minnesota’s last game going into it was 61. The under cashed in the team’s 30-14 loss to Ohio State.
- Minnesota has averaged 3.4 yards per rush attempt over its last three games and 4.1 over its last two.
- Nebraska has averaged 5.5 yards per carry over its last three contests and 4.8 over its past two.
