The Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Iowa Hawkeyes meet in week 9 college football action from Rice Stadium on Saturday. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Iowa Hawkeyes prediction.
Minnesota Golden Gophers Recap
The Minnesota Golden Gophers come into this game looking to build on their 24-6 win over Nebraska last time out to improve to 5-2 this season. After this game, Minnesota will head home for a game against Michigan State.
Golden Gophers Win Back-To-Back Games
Drake Lindsey has thrown for 1,437 yards, 10 touchdowns and 3 interceptions on 62% passing while Darius Taylor leads Minnesota in rushing with 353 yards and Fame Ijeboi has 259 rushing yards. Le’Meke Brockington has a team-high 25 catches for 285 yards and 3 TDs while Jalen Smith has 271 receiving yards with 2 TDs and Javon Tracy has 260 receiving yards and 2 TDs as well. On defense, Devon Williams has a team-high 56 total tackles while Anthony Smith leads Minnesota with 7 sacks and Karter Menz has 3.5 sacks. John Nestor leads Minnesota with 3 interceptions as well on the year. As a unit, Minnesota’s defense has combined for 23 sacks and 6 interceptions so far this season.
Why the Minnesota Golden Gophers will win
- Minnesota has won each of its last three October games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Minnesota has covered the spread in 13 of its last 16 October games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Iowa has failed to cover the spread in three of its last four home games against non-AP-ranked teams.
Iowa Hawkeyes Recap
The Iowa Hawkeyes come into this game looking to add on to their 25-24 win over Penn State last time out to improve to 5-2 this season. After this game, Iowa will head home for a game against the Oregon Ducks.
Hawkeyes Win 4 Of Last 5
Mark Gronowski has thrown for 811 yards, 3 touchdowns and 4 interceptions on 65.1% passing while also rushing for 289 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. Kamari Moulton leads Iowa with 360 rushing yards along with 2 touchdowns while Xavier Williams has 245 rushing yards and 3 TDs. Sam Phillips leads Iowa with 193 receiving yards coming on 11 grabs while Jacob Gill has 125 receiving yards as well this season. On defense, Karson Sharar leads Iowa with 45 total tackles while Max Llewellyn has a team-high 5 sacks and Ethan Hurkett has 3 sacks. As a unit, Iowa’s defense has combined for 13 sacks and 6 interceptions this season.
Why the Iowa Hawkeyes will win
- Iowa has won each of its last eight home games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Iowa has covered the spread in six of its last seven games against Minnesota.
- Minnesota has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five games.
Total Points Facts
- Five of Minnesota’s last six October games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Eight of Iowa’s last 10 games as a home favorite have gone OVER the total points line.
Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Iowa Hawkeyes Prediction
I’m on Iowa here. I get the case to be made for Minnesota here, but I like what I’ve seen from Iowa in the last couple of games, and I frankly don’t trust the Gophers in this road spot as they’ve been far better at home this season. The Hawkeyes are still a really tough out at home and I think this is one of those games that Iowa wins something along the lines of 28-17 or 31-20. Give me Iowa here.