Minnesota @ Iowa NCAA Football Lines Preview

Posted by Daniel Strum on Saturday,November 14, 2015 1:07, EDT in

The fifth-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes (9-0) will be hoping to secure their first 10-0 start in the program’s history when they host the Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-5) in Big Ten play this Saturday. Iowa is fighting for a spot in the four-team College Football Playoff and cannot afford to slip against Minnesota, who will be eager to record their third road win and snap the three-game losing skid they bring into the weekend. Follow the preview below as we breakdown how the action could unfold in this game’s online college football betting odds.

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

Venue: Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA
Date: Saturday, November 14, 2015
Time: 8:00 PM ET
TV: BTN
NCAAF Odds: Iowa (-12) Minnesota (+12) OVER/UNDER 45.5
Take another look at today’s preview for everything you need to know. #MINNvsIOWA https://t.co/PtT3fbGs9y pic.twitter.com/Cl4tadCfA1

Why Bet on the Iowa Hawkeyes

The Hawkeyes look to remain undefeated and stay in the playoff hunt. This was even evident last weekend, when they gave a zealous performance and defeated Indiana 35-27 to continue their unstoppable run this season. Playing a key role to their win was the pair of LeShun Daniels Jr. and Akrum Wadley who led Iowa’s ground attack, combining for 198 yards on 35 rushes with and three touchdowns. Matt VandeBerg’s also provided the sparks in the Hawkeyes passing game with 68 yards on five catches. QB C.J. Beathard’s contribution cannot go unnoticed, as he had a splendid game against Indiana with a completion rate of 61.3 percent for a total of 233 yards with a TD and zero interceptions.

For Iowa to win this upcoming matchup, they will need to capitalize on their solid ground game once again to terrorize the Golden Gophers’ defense that is yielding 152.89 rushing YPG on the year. The fact that RB Jordan Canzeri is expected to return from an ankle injury this weekend should offer additional impetus and firepower to set ablaze the Gophers defense.

On the other side of the ball, the Hawkeyes rushing defense ranks No. 5 in FBS. This defense is expected to contain Mitch Leidner and the Golden Gophers offense that had no rushing attack against Ohio State in their previous game, totaling just 33 rushing yards.

Why Bet on the Minnesota Golden Gophers

The Gophers did not have the same success as Iowa last Saturday, as they lost 28-14 to Ohio State. The Golden Gophers struggled against the top-ranked Ohio State in the first three quarters, managing to only rack up 110 yards of total offense and remaining scoreless in that stretch. It was only until the fourth quarter when the game was pretty much done and dusted that they garnered 14 points.

It is worth noting that QB Mitch Leidner went 27 of 44 for 281 yards with two TDs through the air with one interception in that loss, while Shannon Brooks rushed for 27 yards on 11 carries. Given that Iowa has one of the best defensive units in the Big Ten with only 300.9 total yards allowed per game this year. Leidner and his compatriots will need to get their rushing and passing game going.

As you’d expect, though, Minnesota’s defense—that has been the team’s best side this season—will be most crucial for a winning chance by the visitors. That said, the Hawkeyes’ offense has been extra-lethal on the ground, averaging a whopping 205.0 YPG through their nine games. In adition, the Iowa’s offense is accumulating 32.8 PPG this season, so the Gophers will have to belabor heartily to stop their streaking hosts.

Minnesota @ Iowa Key Betting Trends

• The Hawkeyes are 5-0 SU in their last five games
• The Gophers are 1-4 SU in their last five games
• The Hawkeyes are 5-0 SU in their last five games at home
• The Gophers are 2-4 SU in their last six games on the road
• The Hawkeyes are 2-4 ATS in their last six games when playing Minnesota
• The Gophers are 4-2 ATS in their last six games when playing Iowa
• The Hawkeyes are 10-4 SU in their last 14 games when playing Minnesota
• The Gophers are 4-10 SU in its last 14 games when playing Iowa
• The Hawkeyes are 6-2 ATS in their last eight games when playing at home against Minnesota
• The Gophers are 2-6 ATS in their last eight games when playing on the road against Iowa
• The total has gone OVER in four of Iowa’s last six games at home
• The total has gone UNDER in five of Minnesota’s last six games when playing Iowa

My Expert Golden Gophers @ Hawkeyes Game Prediction

The Gophers are a physical team, but coming against three straight top quality teams (Nebraska, Michigan and Ohio State) after losing their coach Jerry Kill (resigned due to health issues) was extremely difficult. A good showing could thus be in the offing for them, given they’ve shown signs of adapting to their challenges. Nevertheless, the Hawkeyes will be back at home and have Canzeri back in the fold, so it should be business as usual in the running game. With that, expect the Hawkeyes to cruise to solid win plus cover, though with an UNDER in the game total because Minnesota’s offense will be contained.