Northwestern vs. Minnesota Total Pick
Will Northwestern have a letdown performance after clinching the Big Ten West when it hits the road to face Minnesota on Saturday at Noon ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
329 Northwestern at 330 Minnesota
Saturday, November 17, 2018
Noon ET – TCF Bank Stadium
TV: Big Ten Network
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Northwestern is favored on the road, as the Wildcats are getting odds of -2.5 points against Minnesota. The over/under total for the contest is currently listed at 50 points. The public betting for this game currently has 54 percent going on Minnesota at home. 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.
Wildcats going to Big Ten Championship
Despite their being two weeks left in the regular season, Northwestern has punched its ticket to the Big Ten Championship Game following a 14-10 win at Iowa last week. The Wildcats are 6-4 on the year, 6-1 in the Big Ten, 5-3-2 against the spread and 5-5 with the over/under total. The Cats have hit the under in three of their last four games.
Northwestern is relying on its defense this year. The Wildcats are giving up just 23.0 points and 373.1 yards per game. On offense, Northwestern is putting up 23.6 points and 353.5 yards per contest. Clayton Thorson has thrown for 2,335 yards and 12 touchdowns to lead the unit, but also has 12 interceptions. Isaiah Bowser has emerged as the leading rusher with 485 yards and four touchdowns, while Flynn Nagel has caught 63 passes for 744 yards and two touchdowns.
Gophers help Northwestern
Northwestern was able to lock up its Big Ten West title last week in part to Minnesota upsetting Purdue, 41-10 at home. The Gophers have won two of their last three games to move to 5-5 overall. They are 2-5 in the Big Ten, 6-4 against the spread and 6-4 with the over. They have hit the over in three of their last four games.
Minnesota has struggled on defense a big part of the year, allowing 29.6 points and 404.8 yards per game. They are giving up nearly 180 rushing yards per contest. Offensively, Minnesota is averaging 29.1 points and 391.2 yards per game on offense. Mohamed Ibrahim has rushed for 717 yards and five touchdowns to lead the offense while Tanner Morgan has thrown or 948 yards and six touchdowns after taking over the offense in recent weeks. Tyler Johnson is having a strong year at receiver. He has 948 receiving yards with nine touchdowns.
College Football Betting Trends
Northwestern
Northwestern is 6-2-1 with the over in its last nine road games and 7-1-1 with the over in its last nine games after scoring less than 20 points in their previous game.
Minnesota
Minnesota is 5-2 with the over in its last seven conference games, but 5-2 with the under in their last seven against a winning team.
Prediction:
While I do expect Northwestern to be sluggish this week after locking up a spot in the Big Ten Championship, the Wildcats still have a defense that plays with a lot of pride. Minnesota has looked good on offense in recent home games, but the Gophers are likely to hit somewhat of a wall in the Wildcats. I think Minnesota’s defense can build on last week’s performance against Purdue and take advantage of a weak Northwestern offense, especially if the Cats aren’t focused.
College Football Prediction: Northwestern/Minnesota Under 50