Golden Gophers (1-3) on Friday, November 20, 2020. Purdue is in third place in the Big Ten – West, and Minnesota is tied at the bottom of the division. This game will air live on the Big Ten Network at 7:30 p.m. EST.
Through three games, the Purdue offense is averaging 25.0 points per game and 369.0 yards per game, 305.3 through the air and 63.7 on the ground. Zander Horvath leads the team with 252 rushing yards and one touchdown, and David Bell has a team high 31 receptions for 321 yards and four touchdowns. Defensively, the Boilermakers are allowing 23.7 points and 408.0 yards, 257.3 passing and 150.7 rushing.
Four games into their season, the Minnesota offense is averaging 29.0 points per game and 407.5 yards per game, 192.3 through the air and 215.3 n the ground. Mohamed Ibrahim is having one of the best seasons in recent memory as he has 715 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on 130 carries. Rashod Bateman has a team high 32 receptions for 413 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, the Golden Gophers are allowing 35.8 points and 447.3 yards, 209.0 passing and 238.3 rushing.
Below is my pick for the Purdue Boilermakers at Minnesota Golden Gophers. All odds are from BetRivers Sportsbook.
[metabet_core_odds_compare query=”ncaaf/minnesota” size=”300×250″ site_id=”atsio” css=”float:right; margin-left:10px”]Purdue Boilermakers (-2.5) at Minnesota Golden Gophers: O/U 60.5 (-109/-112)
Last time out, Purdue hosted the Northwestern Wildcats and suffered a disappointing 27-20 defeat. This game was back and forth early, but Minnesota scored 14 unanswered points between the second and third quarters to gain the edge. QB Aiden O’Connell went 28/51 for 263 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions. The Boilermakers couldn’t get anything on the ground as they rushed for two total yards, with sack yardage included. Purdue held the Northwestern offense to 292 yards and forced one Wildcats interception.
The Minnesota season went from bad to terrible after a 35-7 home bludgeoning at the hands of the Iowa Hawkeyes. Minnesota scored the first 35 points of the game and Minnesota only avoided the shutout by getting a pointless touchdown with 14 seconds left in the game. QB Tanner Morgan went 16/33 for 167 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions, while running back Mohamed Ibrahim rushed the ball 33 times for 144 yards. The Minnesota defense allowed 346 total yards and forced one Iowa interception.
Series History: Minnesota has won the last two meetings and now leads the all-time series 39-33-3.
ATS Predictions: I am going to back Minnesota +2.5 at home Friday night. There is too much talent on this team for them to gall to 1-4.
2020 CFB Picks Results: 34-23