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The Michigan Wolverines (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) and the Minnesota Golden Gophers (3-2, 1-1) meet Saturday at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Michigan vs. Minnesota odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
The Wolverines have not only rolled up 5 victories in 5 tries, but all of the victories this season have been by 24 or more points, with the closest game coming in a 31-7 victory over Rutgers on Sept. 23. After opening 0-3 against the spread (ATS) in 3 non-conference games, Michigan is 1-0-1 ATS at most shops in 2 Big Ten battles.
The Over (40) cashed last time out in a 45-7 win at Nebraska last Saturday, its 1st Over in 5 games. The Wolverines defense has been ridiculous so far, yielding 7 or fewer points in each outing, good for an average of just 6.0 points per game (PPG) allowed.
The Golden Gophers have lost 9 of the past 10 meetings in this series since 2006, and Michigan is 42-4 straight up (SU) in the past 46 meetings dating back to 1968. And the Gophers haven’t beaten the Wolverines in the Twin Cities since 1977, as its past 3 wins have been at “The Big House.”
Michigan is No. 2 in the US LBM Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
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Michigan at Minnesota odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 5:56 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Michigan -1400 (bet $1,400 to win $100) | Minnesota +800 (bet $100 to win $800)
- Against the spread (ATS): Michigan -18.5 (-110) | Minnesota +18.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 46 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Michigan at Minnesota picks and predictions
Prediction
Michigan 38, Minnesota 7
Moneyline
Michigan (-1400) will cost you 14 times your potential return, and that’s just way too much risk for not enough reward, especially for a conference game.
Despite the mastery of the Wolverines in this series for several decades, you simply cannot risk $100 for every $6.25 won. That’s a ridiculous return, and not a good long-term betting strategy.
PASS, and look to the spread instead.
Against the spread
MICHIGAN -18.5 (-110) has won all 5 games by 24 or more points this season, while allowing 7 or fewer points. It’s hard to bet against that kind of dominance, especially against a Minnesota +19.5 (-110) team which is just 1-2 SU and 0-3 ATS in 3 games against Power 5 conference opponents this season.
The Gophers were on the short end of a 31-13 score at North Carolina on Sept. 16, the only ranked team it has faced to date. Expect a much better Michigan team to bring much more offense and defense into this contest.
Over/Under
UNDER 46 (-110) is the lean in this conference battle, but go very lightly.
The bet on the Under is due to Michigan’s amazing defensive effort, allowing just 6.0 PPG in 5 outings. The danger is Michigan’s offense, which has rolled up 30 or more points in all 5 games, including a 45-point performance in Nebraska last week. It showed it can easily torpedo Under bettors all on its own, even as the defense does its thing.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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