Michigan Wolverines vs Minnesota Golden Gophers Prediction, 10/7/2023 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Michigan Wolverines vs Minnesota Golden Gophers

Date: Saturday, October 7, 2023

Location: Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN

TV: NBC

Odds/Point Spread: Golden Gophers (+15)

Total/Over-Under: 48.5

The Michigan Wolverines (5-0) are en route to Huntington Bank Stadium on Saturday, October 7, 2023 where they will go up against the Minnesota Golden Gophers (3-2). Minnesota opens this game as 15-point dogs from Vegas oddsmakers. The betting total comes in at 48.5.

The Michigan Wolverines step onto the field holding a record of 5-0 this year. In their last matchup, the Wolverines took on the Nebraska Cornhuskers and went home with a win by a final score of 45-7. Blake Corum was the best rusher for the Wolverines with 16 carries for 74 yds (4.6 yards per attempt). J.J. McCarthy connected on 12/16 with 156 yards passing and 2 touchdowns. He had a quarterback rating of 198.2 and walked away from the game without throwing an interception. When it came to stopping the run, the Wolverines gave up 106 yds on 21 tries, which calculates to 5.0 yds per run allowed. Michigan gave up 14 pass completions on 25 tries for a total of 199 yards, and a completion rate of 56.0%. Once the final whistle blew, they ran 74 plays which converted into 436 yards. The Michigan Wolverines ran the football 51 different times and totaled 249 yards, earning them an average of 4.9 yds per attempt.

The Wolverines have tallied 2,057 total yards for the year. When it comes to distribution of touchdowns, Michigan has totaled 11 passing touchdowns and 11 touchdowns via the ground. They have given the ball to the opposition 5 different times. Michigan has recorded 110 1st downs offensively, and they have been flagged for 13 penalties for 93 yds. As a unit they're holding an average of 184.0 yards in the run game ranking them 41st in D-1. In terms of scoring points, the Michigan Wolverines are averaging 34.4 points per outing.

When talking about yards via the pass, the Wolverines are giving up 803 yds which puts them in 14th in the nation. They are giving up 160.6 yards per outing through the air in addition to allowing a completion percentage of 58.2%. During this campaign, they are granting 245.8 yards per contest which puts them 4th in college football. They have given up 1 touchdown by air and 2 touchdowns on the ground. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 3.1 yards per rush and 85.2 yards on the ground per contest so far this year. During the season, they have given up 426 rushing yards through 5 outings. The Wolverines are ranked 1st in D-1 when it comes to team defense, giving up 6.0 points per game.

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The Golden Gophers step onto the field holding a record of 3-2 this year. The last time they took the field, the Golden Gophers walked away with a victory by a final of 35-24 when they played the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Athan Kaliakmanis (2 touchdowns) ended the game with 146 yards on 12/14 through the air while his QB rating was 206.2. He threw 1 interception and his average yards per attempt was 10.4. Bryce Williams ran the football 15 times for 53 yards, ending the contest with 3.5 yards per attempt for Minnesota. Minnesota rushed the ball for 3.9 yards per attempt, finishing with 201 yards on 51 attempts. The Golden Gophers finished with a total of 347 yards and they ran 65 plays (5.3 yds per play). The Golden Gophers pass defense gave up a completion rate of 56.0%, surrendering 172 yards on 14 out of 25 passing. Minnesota allowed 27 rushing attempts for 177 yards (6.6 yds per carry).

Regarding how much they score, the Golden Gophers currently sit 97th in the nation averaging 24.0 points per contest. The Minnesota Golden Gophers average 342.2 yards/game, which has them sitting 104th in Division 1. The Minnesota offense has racked up 141 yds of penalties on 14 violations, ranking them 131st in Division 1 in terms of helping out the other team. They have given away 5 interceptions while letting opponents recover 1 fumble and they have recorded 108 first downs. During this campaign to this point, the Golden Gophers have racked up 745 yards through the air as well as holding an average of 149.0 passing yards per outing, which has them ranked 125th in the country. They have an average of 193.2 rushing yards per game and have rushed for 966 yards overall.

The Golden Gophers are conceding 21.6 PPG, which puts them 45th in D-1. Minnesota has allowed the opposition a total of 636 yards on the ground (127.2 yards per game) in addition to 4 touchdowns by way of the ground game so far this year. This season, they have allowed 108 points in total. They have surrendered 9 touchdowns via the pass and 234.2 yards per outing, which puts them in 79th in Division 1. The Golden Gophers defense has been on the field for 307 plays, which is good for 36th in college football. They have tallied 2 fumbles recovered and 8 interceptions on the season.

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

Guy's Pick: Take the Golden Gophers +15

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