Wolverines vs Gophers NCAA Football Spread/Handicapping
The expectations might have been a little unrealistic coming into this season for BIg Blue. Right now they have three losses to Alabama, Notre Dame and last week @ Nebraska and there is no shame in any of those.
Michigan Wolverines (5-3) vs Minnesota Golden Gophers (5-3)
Saturday November 3
TCF Bank Stadium – Minneapolis, MN
12:00PM
Moneyline: Michigan -420, Minnesota +365
Spread: Michigan -11.5
O/U: 46.5
Michigan
They are currently tied with the Cornhuskers for the Legends Division lead but don’t hold the tiebreaker so they will need some help…and they definitely can not afford a slip down the stretch.
QB Denard Robinson is what makes this team go and he is questionable for Saturday. Last week they used Russell Bellomy as his replacement and the results were ugly. I am still not sure why they didn’t use Devon Gardner and don’t know who will get the snaps on the weekend. When Robinson is not on the field this is a totally different team and not a very good one. Be sure you have the right information before making an play.
Given the uncertainty of D-Rob I was surprised that Michigan was such a heavy favourite on the road. I definitely do not think that they are good enough in other areas of the game to overwhelm an underrated opponent. You almost have to play against them don’t you.
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Michigan was 1-3 ATS on the road even with him under center.
Minnesota
How did Minnesota get to 5-3 without anybody noticing? It is going to be hard to get that magic 6th victory but this might be the best chance to do so. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
After losing their first three Big Ten games they broke through in beating Purdue last weekend. The offense exploded for a season high 44 points and this team has been strong at home – 4-1 ATS and SU. Don’t sleep on the Gophers this weekend.
The Gophers relative success is especially surprising because of their instability at QB. Super athletic MarQuies Gray was deemed not the answer and is now playing a bunch of roles; Donnell Kirkwood leads the team in passing yards; but Phillip Nelson led the team to last week’s scoring outburst. Running the ball used to always be the Gophers specialty and running back Donnell Kirkwood is on pace to crack the 1000 yard milestone.
I give the Gophers a good shot this weekend because their defense seems pretty solid. Playng at home as an underdog should give them a little more juice but this squad is giving up just 23ppg as it is. Throw in a wounded or inexperienced QB and this team could easily pull out the upset if things break. I think they will but take the points as cushion.
Spread Pick: Minnesota +11.5
O/U Pick: Over
Score Prediction: Minnesota 30 – Michigan 24
