Minnesota at Purdue NCAA Football Picks Against the Spread 9/28/2019

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Ross-Ade Stadium

Ross-Ade Stadium is the venue where Elijah Sindelar and the Purdue Boilermakers will play the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Saturday. The spread on this contest has Minnesota as 3-point favorites. The Golden Gophers are 0-2-1 ATS and 2-1-0 when betting on the total. The Boilermakers are 2-1-0 when wagering on the over/under and 1-2-0 against the spread.

Key Minnesota Golden Gophers Injuries

09/22/19 RB Mohamed Ibrahim Foot is questionable Saturday vs Purdue
09/22/19 RB Rodney Smith Oblique is questionable Saturday vs Purdue
08/03/19 QB Zack Annexstad Foot is out indefinitely

Key Purdue Boilermakers Injuries

09/22/19 QB Elijah Sindelar Concussion is questionable Saturday vs Minnesota U
09/22/19 WR Jared Sparks Undisclosed is questionable Saturday vs Minnesota U
09/22/19 WR David Bell Undisclosed is questionable Saturday vs Minnesota U
09/12/19 LB Markus Bailey Knee is out for season
08/30/19 DT Lorenzo Neal Knee is out indefinitely
08/19/19 RB Tario Fuller Jaw is out indefinitely
08/17/19 RB Richie Worship Knee is out indefinitely

In their last game, the Minnesota Golden Gophers took on the Georgia Southern Eagles and won 35-32. Leading the way at QB for the Golden Gophers was Tanner Morgan who went 19/31 with 289 yards passing and completed 3 touchdowns. He threw 1 interception on the day. Rodney Smith led the team in rushing for the game. He broke a long run for 16 yards but he wasn't able to rush for a TD on the day. He scurried for 57 yards on 11 carries which gave him an average of 5.2 yards per tote. Tyler Johnson was the receiving yardage leader with a total of 140 yards on 10 catches. He averaged 14.0 yards per reception for the game. The Minnesota Golden Gophers ran the ball 48 times and racked up a total of 93 yards which earned them an average of 1.9 yards per carry. Overall, the Golden Gophers earned 22 1st downs and they had 4 penalties for 45 yards which tells us that they had an average outing in terms of discipline. In the game, they totaled 79 plays for a total of 382 yards. In terms of defense, Minnesota gave up 5 catches on 9 throws totaling 75 yards, and a completion percentage of 55.6%. On the ground, the Golden Gophers gave up 123 yards on 33 carries which gave them an average of 3.7 yards per rushing attempt allowed. Overall, they allowed a total of 198 yards and forced 2 turnovers.

The Golden Gophers come into this matchup with a record of 3-0 this year. They are one of the most potent offenses in the country averaging 33.7 points per contest, which has them at 47th in Division 1. As a team, they are averaging 123.7 yards on the ground per contest which is 11th in the conference. For total yards, they rank 12th in the conference and 114th in Division 1 with 1,070 yards. The Golden Gophers have one of the middle tier defenses in the country, giving up 29.3 points per game ranking them 13th in the Big Ten Conference. In regard to yards on the ground, Minnesota is allowing 118 yards per game ranking them 8th in the Big Ten and 45th in the nation. Opposing teams are running for an average of 3.8 yards per rush ranking them 10th in the conference and 56th in Division 1 overall. Overall, they have allowed 354 rushing yards through 3 contests. When it comes to passing yards, the Golden Gophers have conceded 699 yards. Opponents are completing 60% of the passes they throw against them and averaging 8.0 yards per attempt.

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In the last game they played, the Purdue Boilermakers played the TCU Horned Frogs and took the defeat by a score of 34-13. King Doerue led the team in rushing for the game. He tore off a long run of 8 yards but wasn't able to convert a rushing touchdown. He rushed for 27 yards by way of 11 carries which had him averaging 2.5 yards per run. Brycen Hopkins was the receiving yardage leader by earning 77 yards on 4 receptions. He had an average of 19.3 yards per reception for the game. Leading the way at QB for the Boilermakers was Jack Plummer who went 13/29 with 181 yards passing and completed 1 TD. He tossed 2 interceptions during the game. The Purdue Boilermakers ran the football 25 times and added 23 yards which earned them an average of 0.9 yards per carry. On the day, they finished with a total of 54 plays for a total of 204 yards. For the contest, the Boilermakers got 8 first downs and they totaled 2 penalties for 20 yards which tells us that they had a disciplined week in practice. When it comes to their defensive performance, Purdue gave up 8 catches on 24 throws totaling 75 yards, and a completion percentage of 33.3%. In the running game, the Boilermakers gave up 346 yards on 58 carries giving the other team an average of 6.0 yards per attempt allowed. Overall, they allowed a total of 421 yards and forced 1 takeaway.

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The Boilermakers head into this matchup 1-2. In terms of offensive proficiency, the Boilermakers have one of the middle tier offenses in Division 1. Purdue needs to do more to make teams respect their running game by averaging 51 yards on the ground per contest, which has them at 129th in D-1. As a team, they have a total of 153 rushing yards through 3 contests, so they are going to want to make some changes to the ground game if they want to make teams respect them. The Boilermakers average 422 yards per contest overall ranking them 60th in the country and 7th in the Big Ten Conference. The Boilermakers are conceding 30.7 points per contest which puts them at 14th in the Big Ten Conference and 95th in D-1. When talking about points given up, they have given up 92 points in total. In terms of rushing yards, they are giving up 175.3 yards per game which puts them at 95th in the country and 12th in the Big Ten Conference. This season, they have given up 526 yards on the ground and 5.1 rushing touchdowns. Their pass defense is one of the middling units in the country. They are allowing 263.3 passing yards per contest. For yards through the air allowed per game, the Boilermakers are currently ranked 14th in the Big Ten.

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

Guy's Pick: Take the Boilermakers +3

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