3. Northwestern at Minnesota
LINE Minnesota -17.5
PICK Minnesota
If Minnesota plays like it normally plays, and Northwestern plays like it normally plays, this should be a total wipeout.
The Gophers are No. 1 in the nation in third down conversions. Northwestern is one of the worst teams in America at coming up with third down stops.
The Gophers are No. 2 in the nation in third down stops. Northwestern has a hard time converting anywhere near 40% of its chances.
Minnesota owns the time of possession battle – it’s No. 2 behind Air Force – it’s fourth in the nation against the pass, and it doesn’t screw up. Northwestern feasts off of turnovers and penalties, and those aren’t coming.
Most importantly to the cause here, Minnesota is fourth in the nation in scoring defense, and Northwestern is 126 in the nation in scoring offense.
At home, the Gophers had major injury problems in the backfield and lost to Purdue 20-10.
Other than that anomaly, they’ve won each of their other four homes games by 31 or more, Northwestern’s stats are skewed thanks to two miserable weather games and a trip to Ireland, and …
Be stunned if the Cats get more than 10 points.
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