A matchup between a pair of programs ranked in the Top 23 overall nationally, the No. 7 Minnesota Golden Gophers (+3) are set to take on their in-conference foe No. 23 Iowa Hawkeyes (-3) at Kinnick Stadium. The opening kickoff for this crucialgame is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. ET and you can tune in to the action on FOX.
Betting Preview: Minnesota Golden Gophers at Iowa Hawkeyes
Minnesota is a live dog in this one and is currently getting 3 points. The Golden Gophers are also receiving +135 moneyline odds while the Hawkeyes are -155. It appears that there should be multiple decent live betting opportunities in the game, and Vegas has set the over/under (O/U) at 44.5 points.
The profitable Golden Gophers are 6-2-1 against the spread (ATS) and have recorded 8.9 units so far. The team’s recorded an O/U mark of 6-3.
The Hawkeyes have gained 1.0 unit this season. The team is 4-5 ATS and has an O/U record of 3-6.
The Golden Gophers have gone 9-0 straight up (SU), including 6-0 SU against Big 10 opponents. The Hawkeyes are 6-3 SU overall and 3-3 SU in conference play.
The Golden Gophers are looking to stay unbeaten after a 31-26 win over Penn State last week where Tanner Morgan completed 18 passes on 20 attempts for 339 yards and three touchdowns. Rodney Smith (only 51 yards on 18 rushes) provided the running attack while Tyler Johnson (seven receptions, 104 yards, one TD) and Rashod Bateman (seven catches, 203 yards, one TD) handled the receiving duties in the win.
A week ago, Wisconsin knocked off this Iowa team by a score of 24-22. Nate Stanley completed 17-of-28 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns. Toren Young (44 rushing yards on nine attempts) handled the running game while Nico Ragaini (six receptions, 32 yards, one TD) and Tyrone Tracy Jr. (five catches, 130 yards, one TD) led the pass-catching attack in the loss.
Minnesota has run the ball on 68.2 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Iowa has an overall rush percentage of 51.9 percent. The Golden Gophers have produced 195.2 rush yards/game (including 231 per game against Big Ten opponents) and have 22 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Hawkeyes are totaling 139.2 rushing yards per game (96.2 in conference) and have 10 total rush TDs.
It appears that the Golden Gophers ought to hold an edge when it comes to quarterback protection. Their offensive line has given up just 27 sacks while their D-line registered 23 sacks. The Hawkeyes O-line has given up 16 sacks and their defense has sacked opposing QBs on just 35 occasions.
The Gophers offensive scheme has averaged 237.7 yards in the air overall (240 per game versus conference opposition) and has 21 passing TDs so far. The Hawkeyes have produced 242.6 pass yards per game (240 in the Big 10) and have 12 total pass scores.
Minnesota has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 124.1 yards and throw for 185.7 yards per game. The Iowa defense has allowed 177.6 yards per game to opposing passers and 111.3 yards per game to opposing runners. The Gophers are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 3.61 to opposing QBs, while the Hawkeyes have given up a 4.72 ANY/A.
Morgan probably has the advantage over Stanley in this matchup, as his adjusted net yards per pass attempt sits at 11.01for the year (and 12.43 over the last two outings). Stanley’s ANY/A is 6.43 for the year and 7.64 across his past two games.
When these two teams met a year ago, Iowa got the victory 48-31.
Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Iowa Hawkeyes Free Pick
SU Winner: Minnesota, ATS Winner: Minnesota, O/U: Under
Team Betting Trends
- The Minnesota defensive unit has 21 sacks on the year while Iowa has 17.
- Iowa has lost four fumbles in 2019 while the Minnesota offense has lost six.
- The Golden Gophers offense has created 11 pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Hawkeyes have accounted for six such plays.
- The Minnesota defense has allowed three pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Iowa has given up six such plays.
- The Minnesota offense has created 14 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Iowa has created eight such runs.
- The Golden Gophers defense has allowed nine rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while the Hawkeyes have given up two such runs.
- The O/U for Iowa’s last match was 37.5. The over cashed in the team’s 24-22 loss to Wisconsin.
- Over its last three matchups, Iowa is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- Over its last three contests, Minnesota is 3-0 ATS and the over cashed in each of those three.
- The O/U for Minnesota’s last game was set at 49. The over cashed in the team’s 31-26 triumph over Penn State.
- Minnesota has averaged 4.6 yards per rush attempt over its last three outings and 4.7 over its last two.
- Iowa has averaged 3.3 yards per carry over its last three games and 3.3 over its past two.
