Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Iowa Hawkeyes Prediction, 10/21/2023 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Iowa Hawkeyes

Date: Saturday, October 21, 2023

Location: Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, IA

TV: NBC

Odds/Point Spread: Hawkeyes (-6)

Total/Over-Under: 33.5

The Iowa Hawkeyes (6-1) are hosting the Minnesota Golden Gophers (3-3) at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, October 21, 2023. Iowa opens as 6-point favorites. The total has been set at 33.5.

The Minnesota Golden Gophers come into this game with a record of 3-3 this year. In their last game, the Golden Gophers stepped onto the field against the Michigan Wolverines and ended up losing by a score of 52-10. Athan Kaliakmanis went 5/15 with 52 yards through the air and 1 TD. He had a QB rating of 57.8 and ended the contest with 2 picks. Zach Evans was the rushing leader for the Golden Gophers with 12 attempts for 45 yds (3.8 yds per attempt). In all, they had 55 plays for 169 yards. The Minnesota Golden Gophers ended up rushing 39 different times and totaled 117 yards, which had them averaging 3.0 yds per carry. When it came to stopping the run, the Golden Gophers conceded 191 yards on 33 tries, which is an average of 5.8 yards per run allowed. Minnesota conceded 16 pass completions on 23 tries for 241 yds, and a completion rate of 69.6%.

In terms of putting the ball in the endzone, the Minnesota Golden Gophers hold an average of 21.7 points per outing. As a unit they average 180.5 yards on the ground which ranks them 42nd in Division 1. The Golden Gophers currently have 1,880 total yards this season. In terms of scoring, Minnesota has compiled 6 touchdowns through the air and 8 touchdowns via the ground. Minnesota has accrued 118 first downs, and they have been called for 18 infractions for 177 yards. They have given the ball to the opposition 8 times.

In terms of yards through the air, the Golden Gophers are conceding 1,412 yds which has them sitting in 62nd in the country. They have surrendered 235.3 yards per game via the pass and allowed a completion percentage of 63.3%. In total, they have allowed 373.2 yards per game which ranks them 65th in college football. They have given up 10 touchdowns via the pass in addition to 8 touchdowns via the ground game. They are allowing 4.5 yards per run and 137.8 rushing yards per game on the year. Over the course of this year, they have conceded 827 yards via the ground game in 6 contests. The Golden Gophers are ranked 77th in the country when it comes to the opposition scoring, allowing 26.7 points per contest.

Get all of our Free College Football Picks

The Hawkeyes come into this game with a record of 6-1 for this year. When they last played, the Hawkeyes got the win with a final of 15-6 against the Wisconsin Badgers. Deacon Hill walked away from the contest with 37 yards on 6/14 passing while his QB rating was 65.1. He kept the ball away from the defense with no picks and his average yards per attempt was 2.6. Leshon Williams ran the ball 25 times for 174 yds, ending the game with 7.0 yds per attempt for Iowa. The Hawkeyes finished with 237 yards while running 62 plays (3.8 yards per play). Iowa ran the ball for 4.2 yards per attempt, finishing the game with 200 yds on 48 attempts. Iowa surrendered 28 rush attempts for 104 yds (3.7 yards per carry). The Hawkeyes pass defense gave up a completion percentage of 54.0%, surrendering 228 yards on 27 out of 50 passing.

The Iowa Hawkeyes hold an average of 247.4 yards per contest, which has them sitting 133rd in D-1. The Iowa offense has totaled 183 yards of penalties on 22 violations, which has them ranked 129th in the country in terms of giving up free yards. They maintain an average of 130.9 yards via the ground game and have rushed for 916 yards overall. They have thrown 5 interceptions while letting opponents recover 5 fumbles and they have been able to earn 87 1st downs. When looking at putting points on the board, the Hawkeyes are 115th in college football with an average of 20.9 points per outing. During the season thus far, the Hawkeyes have compiled 816 yards via the pass along with an average of 116.6 passing yards per outing, which ranks 131st in D-1.

Iowa has conceded a total of 891 yards via the ground game (127.3 yards/game) as well as 1 touchdown on the ground on the campaign. They have conceded 8 touchdowns from the passing game as well as 198.3 yards per contest, which puts them in 31st in the country. Their defense has 3 fumbles and 8 interceptions on the campaign. The Hawkeyes defense has taken part in 532 plays, which is 129th in the nation. The Hawkeyes are conceding 14.9 points per game, which has them ranked 10th in college football. This year, they have given up 104 pts.

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

Tony's Pick: Take the Golden Gophers +6

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here