Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Northwestern Wildcats Prediction, 9/23/2023 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Northwestern Wildcats

Date: Saturday, September 23, 2023

Location: Ryan Field in Evanston, IL

TV: BTN

Odds/Point Spread: Wildcats (+12)

Total/Over-Under: 39.5

Ryan Field is the site where the Northwestern Wildcats (1-2) will compete against the Minnesota Golden Gophers (2-1) on Saturday, September 23, 2023. Minnesota opens this matchup as 12-point favorites. The over/under is set at 39.5.

The Minnesota Golden Gophers head into this game 2-1 this season. In their last contest, the Golden Gophers played against the North Carolina Tar Heels and took a loss by a final of 31-13. Athan Kaliakmanis finished 11/29 with 133 yards through the air. He had a QB rate of 69.6 and ended the contest with 1 interception. Darius Taylor was the best rusher for the Golden Gophers with 22 carries for 138 yards (6.3 yds per carry). The Minnesota Golden Gophers ran the rock 31 different times and accounted for 170 yds, which came out to an average of 5.5 yds per attempt. Overall, they ran 61 plays for 303 yards. Minnesota gave up 29 completions on 40 tries for 414 yds, and a completion rate of 72.5%. Against the run, the Golden Gophers conceded 105 yards on 37 tries, which averages out to 2.8 yards per run allowed.

When it comes to putting the ball in the endzone, the Minnesota Golden Gophers are averaging 17.0 points per game. As a team they're maintaining an average of 173.7 yards in the run game which is 56th in Division 1. The Golden Gophers have attained 967 total yards over the course of this season. With reference to getting the ball in the endzone, Minnesota has amassed 1 touchdown through the air and 3 rushing touchdowns. Minnesota has a total of 67 1st downs, and they have been called for 8 infractions for 67 yards. They have turned the football over 5 different times.

The Golden Gophers are ranked 35th in college football when it comes to team defense, allowing 15.7 PPG. They are allowing 3.8 yards per tote and 122.3 rushing yards per game this year. In total, they have allowed 367 running yards through 3 games. In terms of passing yards, the Golden Gophers are giving up 599 yds which has them sitting in 49th in the country. They have yielded 199.7 yards per contest through the air and giving up a completion percentage of 62.0%. During this campaign, they are surrendering 322.0 yards per contest putting them at 55th in the country. They have yielded 3 touchdowns through the air as well as 2 touchdowns via the ground game.

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The Wildcats step onto the field holding a record of 1-2 this season. In their last game, the Wildcats went home defeated by a final of 38-14 when they faced the Duke Blue Devils. Ben Bryant (1 TD) finished the game with 123 yds on 17/34 through the air while his QB rate was 84.2. He threw 1 interception and his average yards per attempt was 3.6. Cam Porter carried the football 10 times for 49 yards, finishing the contest with 4.9 yards per carry for Northwestern. The Wildcats finished the game with a total of 267 yds while they ran 70 plays (3.8 yards per play). Northwestern ran the football for 3.5 yards per tote, totaling 104 yards on 30 attempts. Northwestern conceded 40 attempts on the ground for 268 yards (6.7 yards per carry). The Wildcats pass defense gave up a completion percentage of 75.0%, relinquishing 219 yds on 15 for 20 passing.

Regarding how much they score, the Wildcats sit 113th in college football with an average of 19.7 points per game. The Northwestern Wildcats hold an average of 286.3 yards per game, which has them ranked 127th in Division 1. The Northwestern offense has racked up 71 penalty yds on 8 violations, which is good for 130th in college football in terms of making mistakes. They have thrown 3 interceptions while conceding 0 fumbles and they have been able to earn 50 1st downs. For the year so far, the Wildcats have thrown for 559 yards through the air in addition to holding an average of 186.3 passing yards per outing, ranking them 106th in D-1. They have an average of 100.0 yards per game on the ground and have toted the ball for 300 yards for the year.

Northwestern has given up a total of 494 yards rushing (164.7 yards per outing) as well as 7 touchdowns by way of the ground game for the season. They have conceded 2 touchdowns through the air in addition to 199.0 yards per game, ranking them 51st in Division 1. Their defense has totaled 1 fumble and 3 interceptions so far this season. The Wildcats defense has taken the field for 198 plays, which ranks them 72nd in college football. The Wildcats are relinquishing 23.0 points per game, which puts them 74th in the country. This season, they have conceded 69 points.

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

Guy's Pick: Take the Wildcats +12

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