Minnesota vs. Wisconsin Prediction
Which struggling Big Ten play will close out their regular season with a needed win when Wisconsin plays host to Minnesota on Saturday at 3:30PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
169 Minnesota at 170 Wisconsin
Saturday, November 24, 2018
3:30PM ET – Camp Randall Stadium
TV: ESPN2
Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Wisconsin is the favorite at home, as the Badgers are getting odds of -10.5 points against Minnesota. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 54 points. The public betting currently has 71 percent going on Wisconsin at home.
Gophers can’t find consistency
Minnesota is coming off a 24-14 loss at home over Northwestern last week. The Gophers have alternated wins and losses over their last five games. Minnesota is 5-6 overall and 2-6 in the Big Ten. The Gophers are 6-5 against the spread and 6-5 with the over.
The Gophers are inconsistent on both sides of the ball. For the year, Minnesota is averaging 27.7 points and 383.5 yards per game on offense. Tanner Morgan has emerged as the QB over recent weeks. He has 1,145 passing yards with seven touchdowns and six interceptions. Tyler Johnson is the team’s leading receiver with 70 catches for 1,036 yards and 10 touchdowns while Mohamed Ibrahim is the leading rusher with 815 yards and six scores. Defensively, Minnesota is allowing 29.1 points and 397.5 yards per game. Their run defense is allowing 170.7 yards per game.
Badgers survive at Purdue
Wisconsin is coming off a hard-fought 47-44 OT win at Purdue last week to avoid a second straight loss. The Badgers are 7-4 overall and 5-3 in the Big Ten. Wisconsin is 3-8 against the spread and 6-5 with the over. They are just 1-3 against the spread in their last four games.
Wisconsin is still pretty good on defense, allowing just 23.1 points and 361.8 yards per game on the year. When it comes to offense, Wisconsin is putting up 30.5 points and 439.9 yards per contest. Jonathan Taylor continues to lead the offense with 1,869 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns this year. Alex Hornibrook continues to miss time due to a concussion and he is unlikely to play this weekend as well. Jack Coan has filled in for him and has thrown for 442 yards and four touchdowns.
College Football Betting Trends
Minnesota
The Gophers are 1-6-1 against the spread in their last eight road games and 3-7 ATS in their last 10 conference games.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is 9-2-1 ATS in their last 12 games in November, but just 2-5 ATS in their last seven conference games.
Prediction:
The Badgers haven’t looked good in a while, but I think that is leading to a lower spread than normal for this game. Minnesota is not a good team and the Gophers have been very suspect on defense at times. Wisconsin should be able to run all over that run defense, especially on its home field. Minnesota won’t be able to match scores against a reasonably strong Wisconsin defense. I don’t see the Badgers coming out flat in their home finale.
College Football Prediction: Wisconsin -10.5