A game that features two teams ranked in the Top 15 nationally, the No. 13 Wisconsin Badgers (-2.5) are facing off against their conference rival Minnesota Golden Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium. Kickoff for this important game is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET and ABC has the TV rights.
Betting Preview: Wisconsin Badgers vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers
In this Saturday Big Ten game, Wisconsin is tabbed as the favorite and is currently giving up 2.5 points. The Badgers are also receiving -140 moneyline odds while the Golden Gophers are +120. Vegas has determined the over/under (O/U) to be 48.5 points. It appears that there will likely be some solid live betting opportunities while this game’s taking place.
Early action has been shifting to the over. This game’s over/under was set initially at just 47.
Both of these teams have been profitable this season as the Badgers have gained 4.0 units and the Golden Gophers are up 8.9 units.
The Badgers are 9-2 straight up (SU), including 6-2 SU against conference opponents. The Golden Gophers are 10-1 SU overall and are also 7-1 SU in conference play.
The Badgers are trying to keep things going following a solid 45-24 win over Purdue last week where Jack Coan completed 15 passes on 19 attempts for 203 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Jonathan Taylor (222 rushing yards on 28 attempts, one TD) and Garrett Groshek (55 yards on nine carries, one TD) led the ground attack in the win while Quintez Cephus (five receptions, 79 yards, one TD) and Kendric Pryor (four catches, 47 yards) manned the receiving duties.
The Minnesota Gophers take the field on Saturday after just earning a 38-22 win over Northwestern. The defense let the Wildcats rush for 128 yards on 49 attempts, including two rush TDs. Riley Lees had a good outing in the loss for Northwestern, accounting for 53 yards on three catches. For Minnesota, Tanner Morgan completed 15-of-23 passes for 211 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. Rodney Smith (77 rushing yards on 15 attempts) and Mohamed Ibrahim (76 yards on 13 carries) handled the ground game in the win while Tyler Johnson (seven receptions, 125 yards, one TD) and Rashod Bateman (seven catches, 78 yards, three TDs) led the pass-catching attack.
Each squad has a remarkably similar (66-34) run-pass ratio on the season. Having said that, the Badgers have produced 250.4 rush yards/game (including 246.6 per game versus Big Ten opponents) and have 31 scores via handoffs this year. The Gophers haven’t been quite as productive, as they’re putting up 184.7 rush yards per game (207.6 in conference) and have 24 total rushing TDs.
If the numbers so far this season are any indication, then the Badgers ought to own the edge when it comes to effectiveness in the ground game, since their backfield has logged 5.5 yards per carry while the defense is allowing 3.4 YPC to opponents. The Golden Gophers have registered 4.2 yards per carry and given up 3.7 YPC to opponents.
The Badgers offense has averaged 191.3 yards through the air overall (166.4 per game against conference opposition) and has 15 passing scores so far. The Gophers have put up 247.1 pass yards per contest (252 against Big 10 foes) and have 26 total pass TDs.
Defensively, Wisconsin has allowed opponents to run for an average of 98.5 yards and throw for 169.9 yards per game. The Minnesota defense has allowed 176.3 yards per game to opposing passers and 123.8 yards per game to opposing runners. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to opponents, as the Badgers have given up an ANY/A of 3.81 to opposing QBs, while the Gophers are allowing an ANY/A of 4.
Passing-wise, Coan has amassed 1,867 yards on the year, and has completed 168-of-228 attempts with 14 passing scores and only four interceptions. He’s got a 7.63 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 9.07 over the last two games.
In the other huddle, Tanner Morgan has completed 146-of-216 passes for 2,311 yards, 25 TDs and five INTs. Morgan’s ANY/A sits at 10.43 for the season and 8.90 over his past two outings.
When these two programs met last year, Minnesota knocked off Wisconsin handily 37-15.
Wisconsin Badgers vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers Betting Prediction
SU Winner: Minnesota, ATS Winner: Minnesota, O/U: Under
Team Betting Notes
- The Over/Under for Wisconsin’s last game was set at 48.5. The over cashed in the team’s 45-24 win over Purdue.
- Wisconsin, as a team, has produced 7.0 yards per carry across its past three games and 7.2 over its last two.
- Minnesota has averaged 3.6 yards per carry over its last three outings and 4.0 over its last two.
- Minnesota has lost six fumbles this season while Wisconsin has lost 13.
- Over its last three games, Wisconsin is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in each of those three.
- The Over/Under for Minnesota’s previous outing was set at 42. The over cashed in that 38-22 triumph over Northwestern.
- In its last three matchups, Minnesota is 1-1-1 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- The Badgers offense has registered three pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Golden Gophers have put up 12 such plays.
- The Wisconsin defense has allowed three pass plays of 40 yards or more, while Minnesota has given up four such plays.
- The Wisconsin offense has created 23 rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while Minnesota has created 16 such runs.
- The Badgers defense has allowed 17 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Golden Gophers have given up 11 such runs.
- The Wisconsin defense has 39 sacks on the year while Minnesota has just 26.
