Purdue vs. Minnesota Prediction
Can Purdue stay in the Big Ten race when it goes on the road to face desperate Minnesota on Saturday at 3:30PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
Saturday, November 10, 2018
3:30PM ET – TCF Bank Stadium
TV: ESPN2
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Purdue is the favorite on the road, as the Boilermakers are getting odds of -12.5 points against the Gophers. The over/under total for the contest is currently listed at 58 points. The public betting for this game currently has 76 percent going on Purdue on the road. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our College Football Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Purdue a game back in B1G West
Purdue picked up a big 38-36 win at home over Iowa last week to stay in the Big Ten West race. The Boilermakers are 5-4 overall and 4-2 in the Big Ten, just one game behind Northwestern in the division. Purdue is also 6-3 against the spread and 5-4 with the over. They have covered the spread in six of their last seven games.
The Boilermakers have been very impactful on offense this season, averaging 33.4 points and 485.9 yards per game. Their passing attack is averaging 330.3 yards per contest. David Blough has thrown for 2,683 yards and 17 touchdowns with seven interceptions this year. Rondale Moore is his leading receiver with 74 catches for 833 yards and seven touchdowns while D.J. Knox is leading the ground game with 753 yards and eight touchdowns. Defensively, Purdue is giving up 24.2 points and 427.9 yards per game. Their pass defense is allowing nearly 300 yards per contest.
Gophers can’t get on track
Despite a win over Indiana two weeks ago, Minnesota looked awful last week in a 55-31 loss at Illinois. The loss dropped Minnesota to 4-5 overall and 1-5 in the Big Ten. The Gophers are now5-4 against the spread and 6-3 with the over. Minnesota is just 2-4 against the spread in their last six games.
Minnesota is putting up 27.8 points per game this season despite averaging just 388.6 yards per game. Quarterback Zack Annexstad has missed the last two games with an ab injury. He has thrown for 1,277 yards and nine touchdowns and seven interceptions and is expected to return this week. If he can’t play, Tanner Morgan will step in. Morgan has thrown or 809 yards with five touchdowns this year. Either has a great receiver to throw to in Tyler Johnson. Johnson has caught 57 passes for 975 yards and eight touchdowns this year. Mohamed Ibrahim is leading the ground attack with 562 yards and five touchdowns. Defensively, Minnesota is giving up 31.8 points and 423.9 yards per game. Following the loss to Illinois, the Gophers fired Defensive Coordinator Robb Smith.
College Football Betting Trends
Purdue
Purdue has covered the spread in four of its last five conference games and 13 of its last 17 road games.
Minnesota
The Golden Gophers are 4-1 against the spread in their last five home games but just 2-6 ATS in their last eight conference games.
Prediction:
Going on the road can be tough, but Purdue should be able to handle itself this week. Purdue went to Illinois in October and won 46-7, much different than Minnesota’s loss at Illinois last week. The Gophers did upset Indiana at home two weeks ago, but they also lost by 17 to Iowa at home, giving up 48 points to the Hawkeyes. The Boilermakers have a much more efficient offense than Iowa and I expect Purdue to score at will. While Minnesota will score some itself, the Gophers won’t be able to keep the same scoring pace to cover.
College Football Prediction: Purdue -12