The Purdue Boilermakers (2-2) face the Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-0) Saturday at noon ET. (ESPN2). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Purdue vs. Minnesota odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
Minnesota comes into this game after dismantling Michigan State 34-7. That was a good sign as the Gophers schedule up to that point had been a mish mash of cupcakes which were dispatched with ease. Seeing Minnesota do this against a Big Ten team satisfied the naysayers for another week.
Purdue comes in after a struggle with Florida Atlantic, just barely prevailing 28-26. QB Aidan O’Connell and WR Charlie Jones, a transfer from Iowa, have hooked up 41 times for 533 yards and 7 TDs.
Minnesota has outscored its opponents 183-24 so far this season. They are the favorites right now to win the Big Ten West. This game will go a long way to determine if either of these 2 teams are on the right path.
Minnesota is No. 23 in the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
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Purdue at Minnesota odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 2:06 p.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Purdue +380 (bet $100 to win $380) | Minnesota -500 (bet $500 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Purdue +12.5 (-110) | Minnesota -12.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 52.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)
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Purdue at Minnesota picks and predictions
Prediction
Minnesota 31 Purdue 13
Money line
PASS. The line is too high so do not bet.
Against the spread
Take MINNESOTA -12.5 (-110) for the win.
We did not know what to expect from Minnesota after playing 3 easy home games to start the season. After holding New Mexico State, Western Illinois, and Colorado to a combined 17 points, we still needed to see more. We saw it as Minnesota held Michigan State to 7 points on the road last Saturday.
The Gophers’ offense is good. The defense is great. Much of this is due to their ability to not only pass with Tanner Morgan, but also run with Mohamed Ibrahim. They can control the clock and keep opposing teams off the field. Against the Spartans, Minnesota had the ball for 42 minutes to Michigan State’s18.
Doing this against Purdue, while also knowing that Purdue is completely one-dimensional on offense, means the Golden Gophers are set to dominate another game early in the season. Minnesota -12.5 (-110) is my favorite play of this game.
Over/Under
I like the UNDER 52.5 (-115) in this game.
As mentioned, Minnesota has a ball control offense and a dominant defense because of it. They have only allowed 24 points all season.
While Purdue can score, they are coming off a mediocre performance against Florida Atlantic. With Minnesota knowing Purdue cannot run, they will focus and shut down the pass game of Aidan O’Connell. This will lead to Purdue struggling and Minnesota pulling away. I expect the Under 52.5 (-113) to be the winner here.
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