The No. 21 University of Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-0, 1-0 Big 10) and their superb passing defense welcome the Purdue University Boilermakers (2-2, 0-1 Big 10) and their powerful aerial offense at Huntington Bank Stadium on Saturday. The Golden Gophers are 12.5-point favorites, and the total is 51.5. Purdue is coming off a tight 28-26 win over Florida Atlantic at Ross-Ade Stadium last Saturday. Austin Burton threw for 166 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. Dylan Downing ran 15 times for 113 yards and a touchdown. Charlie Jones caught nine passes for 59 yards and two touchdowns. Minnesota beat Michigan State 34-7 at Spartan Stadium last Saturday. Tanner Morgan was 23 of 26 for 268 yards and three touchdowns. Mohamed Ibrahim carried 22 times for 103 yards and a touchdown. Michael Brown-Stephens hauled in six receptions for 73 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Golden Gophers won the only game between the teams last season, a 20-13 victory in October, their fourth straight win against Purdue. Morgan tossed one touchdown for Minnesota, as Trey Potts added a rushing TD.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Boilermakers are averaging 36.0 points per game so far this season, 43rd in FBS, and they are facing a Golden Gophers defense that has surrendered 6.0 PPG (2nd). Meanwhile, Minnesota has scored 45.8 points a game this season, 11th in the nation, and Purdue is allowing 23.3 PPG (61st).The Boilermakers rank as one of the country’s top teams in passing yards per game (308.8, 18th), while they are 91st in rushing yards (137.8). They will be matching strength against strength through the air, as the Golden Gophers are second in the nation in passing yards allowed per game (126.0). Against the run, Minnesota is third (61.8).Minnesota has been one of the nation’s top rushing teams, averaging 294.5 yards per game (2nd), while ranking 66th in passing yards (248.5). The Boilermakers are allowing 203.3 passing yards (45th) and 115.8 rushing yards per game (47th).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through three games, Aidan O’Connell has thrown for eight touchdowns (1 INT) and 330.3 yards per game to lead Purdue in passing. In one prior away game this season, he had three TDs (1 INT) and 424 yards passing. Downing leads the team in rushing with an average of 51.0 yards a game over four games. He has two touchdowns on the ground. Jones is the Boilermakers’ leading receiver with 133.2 yards a game and seven TDs. Morgan has seven passing touchdowns (1 INT) with 221.5 yards per game through four games to lead Minnesota. In three home games this season, he has thrown for four TDs (1 INT) and an average of 206.0 yards. Ibrahim has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 141.8 yards a game through four games. He has eight touchdowns. Chris Autman-Bell has been a key target in the Golden Gophers’ aerial attack. He has one touchdown and a 71.3 yard per game average through three appearances.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
Minnesota (-450)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
