Northwestern at Minnesota College Football Picks and Predictions 11/17/2018

Saturday, November 17, 2018

TCF Bank Stadium

Get todays College Football Odds & Lines on this game

The Northwestern Wildcats head to TCF Bank Stadium to play the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Saturday, November 17, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Northwestern as 3.5 point favorites. The Wildcats are 5-3-2 against the spread and their over/under record is 5-5-0. The Golden Gophers are 6-4-0 against the spread and their over/under mark is 6-4-0.

Valuable Northwestern Wildcats Betting Trends

The Northwestern Wildcats are 5-5-0 against the over/under

The Northwestern Wildcats are 5-3-2 against the spread

Important Minnesota Golden Gophers Betting Trends

The Minnesota Golden Gophers are 6-4-0 against the over/under

The Minnesota Golden Gophers are 6-4-0 against the spread

Key Northwestern Wildcats Injuries

11/11/18 K Charlie Kuhbander Leg is questionable Saturday vs Minnesota U
11/11/18 K Drew Luckenbaugh Undisclosed is questionable Saturday vs Minnesota U
11/11/18 S Jared McGee Undisclosed is questionable Saturday vs Minnesota U
11/11/18 RB John Moten IV Lower Body is questionable Saturday vs Minnesota U
11/11/18 CB Montre Hartage Undisclosed is questionable Saturday vs Minnesota U
11/11/18 DB Trae Williams Undisclosed is questionable Saturday vs Minnesota U
09/24/18 RB Jeremy Larkin Undisclosed is out for season

Key Minnesota Golden Gophers Injuries

11/11/18 OL Donnell Greene Head is questionable Saturday vs Northwestern
11/06/18 RB Shannon Brooks Knee is out for season
09/24/18 DB Antoine Winfield Jr. Undisclosed is out for season
09/10/18 RB Rodney Smith Leg is out for season

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Northwestern Wildcats are 99th in the country in points scored with 236. They have run 783 plays this year for 3,525 yards, which ranks them 45th in Division 1 in total offense. The Wildcats average 4.5 yards per play, which is 125th in the nation. As a team they have accumulated a total of 214 1st downs this season, ranking them 54th overall as an offensive unit. On the ground Northwestern has run for 1,021 yards as a unit, which ranks 121st in college football. They've run 369 times, averaging 2.8 yards per rush as a unit. The Wildcats have been penalized on offense 31 times for 285 yards so far this year, which has them 129th in the country in penalties. Clayton Thorson has passed for 2,335 yards this year. He's completed 224 throws while attempting 377 passes for a completion percentage of 59.4%. His quarterback rating this season is 115.6. He averages 5.4 adjusted yards per throw and 6.2 yards per pass attempt.

Defensive Statistics

Northwestern is 43rd in the country in points surrendered on defense with 230. They have given up a total of 3,731 yards on D, which is 54th in D-1. The Wildcats are 57th in yards per play allowed with 5.5. Opponent offenses have completed 220 throws on 347 attempts against the Northwestern Wildcats defense this season, ranking them 121st and 103rd in the nation. The Northwestern pass defense has also surrendered a total of 2,378 yards in the air, which is 84th overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense has given up 333 attempts for 1,353 yards this season, putting them in 38th place in the country against the run. The Wildcats have had 76 penalties for 722 yards on defense this year. That places them 121st in college football.

Special Teams Stats

Northwestern is 13th in the country in punt returns with 22. They've totaled 138 punt return yards and average 6.3 yards per return, which is 99th in D-1. They have returned 13 kicks for 270 yards on special teams, which puts them 112th in kick return yardage. The Wildcats average 21 yards per kick return and they are 112th in the nation in all-purpose yards with 3,933. The Northwestern Wildcats have tried 12 field goals this year and made 6, which is 121st in college football. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 50%. Northwestern Wildcats kickers have made 100% of their extra points, going 28 for 28 this season. Their punters have accumulated 2,198 yards on 55 punts, averaging 40 yards per punt. That ranks them 90th in the NCAA in punting average.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Golden Gophers have run for 1,391 yards as a team, which ranks 99th in college football. They've run 357 times, averaging 3.9 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Minnesota Golden Gophers have been penalized on offense 37 times for 374 yards so far this season, which has them 127th in the country in penalties. They are 65th in the nation in points scored with 291. They have run 622 plays this season for 3,502 yards, which ranks them 81st in Division 1 in total offense. Minnesota averages 5.6 yards per play, which is 77th in college football. As a team they have accumulated a total of 191 1st downs this year, placing them 89th overall as an offensive unit. Tanner Morgan averages 10.3 yards per pass attempt and 9.7 adjusted yards per throw. He has completed 54 passes on 92 attempts for a completion percentage of 58.7%. His quarterback rating this year is 158.1. He has thrown for 948 yards this season.

Defensive Statistics

The Minnesota Golden Gophers rush defense has allowed 292 attempts for 1,695 yards this year, putting them in 76th place in D-1 against the run. Minnesota has committed 53 penalties for 494 yards on the defensive side of the ball this season. That ranks them 33rd in college football. They are 82nd in the nation in points allowed on defense with 296. They have surrendered a total of 3,815 yards on D, which is 62nd in the country. The Golden Gophers are ranked 108th in yards per play allowed with 6.3. Opposing offenses have completed 202 passes on 311 attempts against the Minnesota defense this season, placing them 99th and 74th in Division 1. The Minnesota Golden Gophers pass defense has also given up a total of 2,120 yards through the air, which is 56th overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

The Minnesota Golden Gophers have attempted 13 field goals this season and made 10, which is 68th in D-1. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 77%. Minnesota kickers have made 100% of their extra points, going 28 for 28 this year. Their punters have totaled 1,772 yards on 43 punts, averaging 41 yards per punt. That places them 70th in Division 1 in punting average. Minnesota is ranked 103rd in the nation in punt returns with 10. They've accumulated 179 punt return yards and average 17.9 yards per return, which is 5th in college football. They have returned 26 kicks for 575 yards on special teams, ranking 38th in kick return yardage. The Minnesota Golden Gophers average 22 yards per kick return and they are 90th in the country in all-purpose yards with 4,256.

Who will win tonight's Wildcats/Golden Gophers college football game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take the Wildcats -3.5

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