Illinois Fighting Illini vs Minnesota Golden Gophers Prediction, 11/6/2021 College Football Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: Illinois Fighting Illini vs Minnesota Golden Gophers

Date: Saturday, November 6, 2021

Location: TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN

TV: ESPN2

Odds/Point Spread: Golden Gophers (-14.5)

Total/Over-Under: 42.5

The Illinois Fighting Illini (3-6) are traveling to TCF Bank Stadium on Saturday where they will meet the Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-2). Minnesota opens this matchup as 14.5-point favorites from oddsmakers. The total comes in at 42.5.

The Illinois Fighting Illini head into this game 3-6 for this year. The last time they stepped onto the field, the Fighting Illini faced off with the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and took a loss by a final of 20-14. Chase Brown led the offense in rushing for the Fighting Illini with 18 carries for 67 yds (3.7 yds per carry). Brandon Peters went 14/19 with 190 yards through the air and 2 touchdowns. He had a quarterback rating of 192.4 and finished the contest without throwing an interception. When it came to stopping the run, the Fighting Illini gave up 230 yards on 51 attempts, which is an average of 4.5 yards per rush surrendered. Illinois gave up 13 completions on 27 attempts for 158 yds, and a completion percentage of 48.1%. When the final whistle blew, they had 49 plays which converted into 297 yds. The Illinois Fighting Illini rushed the ball a total of 30 times and accumulated 107 yards, which had them averaging 3.6 yards per carry.

The Fighting Illini have earned 2,887 total yards over the course of this season. When it comes to notching touchdowns, Illinois has amassed 9 passing touchdowns and 7 rushing touchdowns. They have turned the ball over 9 times. Illinois has 165 first downs as a unit, and they have been flagged for 39 penalties for 415 yds. As a team they hold an average of 175.9 yards via the ground game giving them a rank of 56th in the country. Regarding getting in the endzone, the Illinois Fighting Illini are averaging 17.6 points per game.

Concerning passing yards, the Fighting Illini have allowed 2,176 yds which ranks them 122nd in D-1. They have relinquished 241.8 yards per outing through the air as well as allowing a completion percentage of 61.8%. In total, they are allowing 401.6 yards per contest which puts them 94th in the country. They have surrendered 12 touchdowns by air and 12 touchdowns via the ground game. They are allowing 4.2 yards per run and 159.8 rushing yards per contest for the year. In total, they have conceded 1,438 yards via the running game in 9 games. The Fighting Illini are sitting in 63rd in D-1 concerning the opposition scoring, conceding 23.3 PPG.

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The Golden Gophers head into this matchup 6-2 this season. When they last stepped on the field, the Golden Gophers walked away with a victory by a final of 41-14 when they faced the Northwestern Wildcats. Tanner Morgan finished the contest with 134 yards on 12/17 passing while his quarterback rating was 125.0. He tossed 1 pick and his Y/A was 7.9. Ky Thomas carried the football 21 times for 106 yards, finishing the contest with 5.0 yds per carry for Minnesota. Minnesota ended up running for 5.8 yds per carry, finishing with a total of 308 yds on 53 carries. The Golden Gophers finished the contest with 442 yards while running 70 plays (6.3 yds per play). The Golden Gophers passing defense allowed a completion rate of 50.0%, relinquishing 98 yds on 11 for 22 passing. Minnesota gave up 30 attempts on the ground for 144 yds (4.8 yards per rush).

The Minnesota Golden Gophers maintain an average of 370.8 yards per outing, which ranks them 91st in D-1. The Minnesota offense has 365 yds of penalties on 35 violations, which has them sitting 119th in college football in terms of giving up free yards. During this campaign thus far, the Golden Gophers have compiled 1,182 passing yards not to mention holding an average of 147.8 passing yards per game, which ranks 122nd in the country. When looking at how much they score, the Golden Gophers currently sit 74th in college football averaging 28.4 PPG.

Minnesota has allowed a total of 744 yards on the ground (93.0 yards per game) as well as 7 touchdowns rushing so far this season. They have given up 11 touchdowns via the pass in addition to 210.3 yards/game, which has them ranked 58th in D-1. The Golden Gophers defense has been on the field for 467 plays, which is 18th in college football. The Golden Gophers are allowing 18.9 points per contest, which has them ranked 30th in Division 1. Over the course of the season, they have given up 151 total points.

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

Josh's Pick: Take the Fighting Illini +14.5

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