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Michigan @ Minnesota NCAA Football Lines Preview

Michigan @ Minnesota NCAA Football Lines Preview

Written by on October 31, 2015

NCAA Football Betting News
The 15th-ranked Michigan Wolverines and their College Football Odds fans will look to get ‘er done when they visit a struggling Minnesota Golden Gophers team in their Week 9 Big Ten battle on Saturday. Now, let’s find out if the Wolverines can cover the spread as nearly two-touchdown road faves!

How To Bet the Wolverines @ Golden Gophers NCAA Football Odds, TV & Game Info

When: Saturday, October 31, 7:00 PM ET Where: TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota TV: ESPN NCAAF Odds: Michigan -13 Over/Under: 38.5

Why Bet on the Michigan Wolverines (5-2 SU, 4-3 ATS)

The Michigan Wolverines will look to bounce back from their heartbreaking 27-23 Week 7 loss against in-state rival Michigan State as online betting fans might remember. The Wolverines failed to cover the spread as a 7-point home favorite (just as I predicted), giving them plenty of motivation to handle the Golden Gophers in this contest. The Wolverines had pitched three straight shutouts before their loss to the Spartans, which as we all know by now, came on a blocked punt attempt on the game’s final play. Head coach Jim Harbaugh however, won’t let his team hold their heads down. “Not into the ‘if-this, if-that’ type of scenario,” Harbaugh said. “If worms had machine guns, then birds (would) be scared of them. We’re looking to find our season over the next number of games that we play.” For the season, quarterback Jake Rudock is completing 61.7 percent of his passes for 1,303 yards with five touchdowns and six interceptions. The bad news is that Rudock has zero touchdown passes in his last two games. The good news is that the Wolverines are an absolute monster on defense. The Wolverines are ranked first in total defense (210. ypg), fourth against the pass, second against the run and first in points allowed (9.3 ppg).

Why Bet on the Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-3 SU, 2-5 ATS)

Minnesota has lost two of its last three games including a 48-25 beatdown against Nebraska in Week 7 while failing to cover the spread as a Pick ‘Em. Golden Gophers quarterback Mitch Leidner is completing 59.2 percent of his passes for 1,310 yards, seven touchdowns and six interceptions, but he has also thrown four interceptions over his last three games, including two against the Cornhuskers. The good news is that the Golden Gophers will have plenty of motivation to bring their collective ‘A’ games with the announcement that longtime head coach Jerry Kill retired on Wednesday due to ongoing health issues. Kill told his staff and players of his decision  on Wednesday, then gave a nearly 30-minute press conference about his decision to leave football behind over his epilepsy. “I ain’t done anything else. That’s the scary part,” Kill said, pausing several times to keep from breaking down. Defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys, will take over as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

My Expert Game Analysis, Pick & Prediction:

61 percent of the betting public likes Michigan and I agree with that sentiment. The Wolverines are well-rested and want to get the taste of their mouths after their crushing loss to Michigan State two weeks ago. The Wolverines are 5-0 ATS in their last five games following an SU loss and 5-1 ATS in their last six games following an ATS loss. Conversely, the Golden Gophers are just 1-4 ATS in their last five home games, 1-5 ATS in their last half-dozen games and a winless 0-4 ATS in their L/4 games against a team with a winning record. With the Wolverines going 4-0-1 ATS in their last five road games against Minnesota and 6-1 ATS in the last seven meetings overall, I say back Michigan to get ‘er done! My Pick: Michigan 31 Minnesota 14
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