Free College Football Picks Today: Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Northwestern Wildcats 11/12/22

The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-3, 3-3 Big 10) and their outstanding rushing offense host the Northwestern University Wildcats (1-8, 1-5 Big 10), one of the country’s softest ground defenses, at Huntington Bank Stadium on Saturday. The Golden Gophers are 17.5-point favorites, and the total is 40.5.

Northwestern is coming off a 21-7 loss at the hands of No. 2 Ohio State at Ryan Field last Saturday, their eighth consecutive defeat. Brendan Sullivan threw for 79 yards. Evan Hull ran 30 times for 122 yards and a touchdown. Malik Washington caught six passes for 49 yards.

Minnesota beat Nebraska 20-13 at Tom Osborne Field at Memorial Stadium last Saturday. Athan Kaliakmanis was 6 of 12 for 175 yards. Mohamed Ibrahim carried 32 times for 128 yards and two touchdowns. Daniel Jackson had five receptions for 88 yards.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Golden Gophers won the only game between the teams last season, a 41-14 victory in October. Bucky Irving had two touchdowns for Minnesota. Andrew Marty tossed two touchdowns for Northwestern.

TALE OF THE TAPE

The Wildcats are averaging 16.7 points per game for the season, 126th in FBS, and they are facing a Golden Gophers defense that has surrendered 14.2 PPG (4th). Meanwhile, Minnesota has scored 30.6 points a game this season, 54th in the nation, and Northwestern is allowing 27.9 PPG (82nd).

The Wildcats rank 75th in the country in passing yards per game (230.3) and 103rd in rushing (123.7). They can expect a tough test, as the Golden Gophers are fourth in the country in passing yards allowed per game (162.9) and 18th against the run (110.7).

Minnesota has been one of the nation’s top rushing teams, averaging 212.2 yards per game (16th), while ranking 106th in passing yards (195.7). Northwestern’s defense has been susceptible on the ground, as the Wildcats are 113th in the country in rushing yards allowed per game (188.1). Against the pass, the Wildcats are 35th (204.7).

TOP PERFORMERS

Through seven games, Ryan Hilinski has thrown for six touchdowns (6 INT) and 225.1 yards per game to lead Northwestern in passing. In one prior away game this season, he had one TD (1 INT) and 210 yards passing.

Evan Hull leads the team in rushing with an average of 77.9 yards a game over nine games. He’s also contributed to the aerial attack with 51.7 receiving yards a game. He has four touchdowns on the ground. Malik Washington is the Wildcats’ leading receiver with 57.7 yards a game and one TD.

Tanner Morgan has seven passing touchdowns (5 INT) with 165.5 yards per game through eight games to lead Minnesota. In five home games this season, he has thrown for four TDs (4 INT) and an average of 199.4 yards.

Mohamed Ibrahim has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 135.4 yards a game through eight games. He has 15 touchdowns. Brevyn Spann-Ford has been the primary target in the Golden Gophers’ aerial attack. He has two touchdowns and a 39.8 yard per game average through nine appearances.