Outback Bowl Prediction
Will No. 18 Minnesota be able to pull off an upset when the Golden Gophers take on No. 12 Auburn in the Outback Bowl today at 1PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
Outback Bowl
265 Minnesota vs. 266 Auburn
Wednesday, January 1, 2020
1PM ET – Raymond James Stadium
TV: ESPN
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, Auburn is the favorite in this game, as the Tigers are getting odds of -7 points against Minnesota. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 53.5 points. The public betting currently has 70 percent going on Auburn as the favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NCAAF Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Auburn looks for 10 wins
Auburn is coming off a 48-45 win over Alabama to end its regular season. The Tigers won three of their last four games. Auburn comes into this game 9-3 on the season, 9-3 against the spread and 7-5 with the under.
The Tigers are also a really solid defense. Auburn is giving up just 18.6 points and 323.9 yards per game this season. Marlon Davidson is leading the defensive unit with 46 tackles and 7.5 sacks. However, he is questionable for the game with a back injury. Auburn has an offense that is putting up 34 points and 421.4 yards per contest. Bo Nix is leading the Auburn offense with 2,366 passing yards and 15 touchdowns while also rushing for 301 yards and seven scores. Seth Williams is the leading receiver with 55 catches for 801 yards and eight touchdowns. JaTarvious Whitlow is the top rusher with 739 yards and nine scores.
Gophers have breakout year
Minnesota has lost two of its last three games, but the Golden Gophers have won 10 games this season. The Gophers are 10-2 on the season, 7-4-1 against the spread and 8-4 with the over.
The Golden Gophers have one of the stronger defenses in the nation this year, allowing just 22.4 points and 312.8 yards per game. Their passing defense gives up just 184.9 yards per game. Antoine Winfield Jr. is leading the defense with 80 tackles, seven interceptions and three sacks. Offensively, Minnesota is putting up 34.3 points and 426.8 yards per contest. Tanner Morgan has thrown for 2,975 passing yards and 28 touchdowns to lead the offense while Rashod Bateman and Tyler Johnson each have over 1,100 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. Rodney Smith is the team’s top rusher with 1,094 yards and eight touchdowns.
College Football Betting Trends
Auburn
The Tigers are 10-2 against the spread in their last 12 games as a favorite and 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games on grass.
Minnesota
The Golden Gophers are 6-2-1 against the spread in their last nine non-conference games and 6-2 ATS in their last eight games as an underdog.
Prediction:
Minnesota will come in with a lot of enthusiasm behind coach P.J. Fleck, but I feel like the Gophers just don’t have the talent to be competitive here. They lost 38-17 to Wisconsin in their season finale and also lost at Iowa. Auburn may have a better defense than both, but also have better offensive weapons to contend with. It’s been a great season for the Gophers, but I don’t see them being at Auburn’s level unless the Tigers don’t take this game seriously. However, getting to 10 wins is a big accomplishment, so I expect Auburn at its best and to win this game with ease.
Alamo Bowl Prediction: Auburn -7
Related: Alamo Bowl Total Prediction