Two schools that prefer to mix in a lot of running plays, Head Coach Nunzio Campanile and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (-28) are gearing up to take the field against their Big 10 foe No. 20 Minnesota Golden Gophers at SHI Stadium. This Saturday daytime game is scheduled to get going at 3:30 p.m. ET and BTN has the TV rights.
Betting Preview: Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers
Minnesota is significantly favored here and is currently giving up 28 points to Rutgers. Vegas has set the over/under (O/U) at 48.5 points. If one squad finds paydirt early on, it would likely generate a worthy betting opportunity in-game.
The profitable Golden Gophers are 3-2-1 against the spread (ATS) and have recorded 6.0 units so far in 2019. The team has recorded an O/U mark of 3-3.
The Scarlet Knights are down 2.0 units this season. The team is 1-5 ATS and has an O/U record of 2-3-1.
The Golden Gophers have gone 6-0 straight up (SU), including 3-0 SU against Big 10 opponents. The Scarlet Knights are 1-5 SU overall and 0-4 SU in conference play.
The Golden Gophers are looking to remain unbeaten following a 34-7 win over Nebraska last week. Tanner Morgan completed eight passes for only 128 yards and one touchdown. Rodney Smith (139 yards on 18 rush attempts, one TD) and Mohamed Ibrahim (84 yards on 15 carries, three TDs) spearheaded the ground attack while Tyler Johnson (five receptions, 109 yards) and Chris Autman-Bell (one catch, 15 yards, one TD) manned the receiving duties in the win.
One week ago, Indiana shut out this Rutgers team by a score of 35-0. Johnny Langan completed five-of-13 passes for one yards. Isaih Pacheco (44 rushing yards on 14 attempts) and the signal-caller Langan (three yards on 13 carries) led the running game as Aaron Young (three receptions, 4 yards) and Bo Melton (one catch, -1 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the loss.
Minnesota has run the ball on 69.1 percent of its offensive plays this year, including 72.2 percent across possessions in conference play. Rutgers has an overall run percentage of 56.3 percent, and has rushed the ball 59.5 percent of the time against Big 10 opponents. The Golden Gophers have rushed for 186.2 yards per game (including 248.7 per game versus Big Ten opponents) and have 14 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Scarlet Knights are totaling 105.2 rush yards per game (87.3 in conference) and have five total rushing TDs.
Based on the numbers this season, it seems like the Golden Gophers may own an edge when it comes to efficiency in the ground game. Their backfield has logged 4.0 yards per carry while their defense is allowing a YPC of 3.6 to opponents. The Scarlet Knights have rushed for 3.2 yards per carry and given up a YPC of 5.2 to opponents.
The Gophers offensive scheme has averaged 229.7 yards through the air overall (226.3 per game versus conference opposition) and has 14 passing TDs so far. The Scarlet Knights have put up 161.5 pass yards per contest (79 against Big 10 foes) and have three total pass scores.
Minnesota should have an edge in both areas of the defense. The team has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 119.8 yards and throw for 192 yards per game. The Rutgers defense has allowed 241 yards per game to opposing passers and 209.7 yards per game on the ground. The Gophers are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 4.47 to opposing QBs, while the Scarlet Knights have given up a 7.31 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Morgan is up to 1,223 yards on the year, and has connected on 72 percent of his 107 attempts with 11 scores through the air and only two interceptions. Morgan’s got a sparkling 10.20 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 10.00 over the last two outings.
In the other locker room, Johnny Langan has completed 6-of-14 passes for 9 yards, zero TDs and zero INTs. Langan’s ANY/A sits at a terrible -1.65 for the year and 0.36 across his last two outings.
These two conference foes did not get a chance to play each other in 2018.
Minnesota Golden Gophers at Rutgers Scarlet Knights Betting Prediction
SU Winner: Rutgers, ATS Winner: Rutgers, O/U: Under
Team Betting Notes
- As a team, Minnesota has produced 5.5 yards per carry over its last three contests and 6.5 over its last two.
- Rutgers has averaged 2.5 yards per carry over its last three games and 2.8 over its last two.
- Rutgers has lost four fumbles this season while Minnesota has let five get away.
- The Golden Gophers offense has recorded nine pass plays of 40 yards or more, while the Scarlet Knights have accounted for three such plays.
- The Minnesota defense has allowed one pass play of 40+ yards, while Rutgers has given up six such plays.
- The Minnesota offense has created nine rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while Rutgers has created seven such runs.
- The Golden Gophers defense has allowed five rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Scarlet Knights have given up 11 such runs.
- The Minnesota D has 15 sacks on the year while Rutgers has just six.
