The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-2, 1-2 Big 10) head to take on the No. 16 Penn State University Nittany Lions (5-1, 2-1 Big 10) at Beaver Stadium on Saturday. The Nittany Lions are four-point favorites, and the total is 44.5.Minnesota is coming off a 26-14 loss to No. 24 Illinois at Memorial Stadium last Saturday.
Tanner Morgan was 4 of 12 for 21 yards and an interception. Mohamed Ibrahim ran 15 times for 127 yards and a touchdown. Brevyn Spann-Ford caught four passes for 32 yards.Penn State lost 41-17 to No. 5 Michigan at Michigan Stadium last Saturday. Sean Clifford threw for 157 yards. He added 74 yards on the ground. Mitchell Tinsley caught five receptions for 57 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The teams are meeting in the regular season for the first time since November 2019, a 31-26 win for the Golden Gophers.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Golden Gophers are averaging 34.5 points per game for the season, 37th in FBS, and they are facing a Nittany Lions defense that has surrendered 19.2 PPG (22nd). Meanwhile, Penn State has scored 31.5 points a game this season, 55th in the nation, and Minnesota is allowing 11.7 PPG (4th).The Golden Gophers rank as one of the nation’s top teams in rushing yards per game (227.8, 16th), while they are 94th in passing yards (214.8).
The Nittany Lions are 83rd in passing yards allowed per game (242.5) and 56th against the run (136.0).Penn State is 74th in the country in passing yards per game (235.3) and 45th in rushing (179.0). Minnesota’s defense is likely to present a challenge on both fronts, as the Golden Gophers are 5th in the country in passing yards allowed per game (159.2) and 20th against the run (104.5).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through six games, Tanner Morgan has thrown for seven touchdowns (5 INT) and 194.0 yards per game to lead Minnesota in passing. In two away games this season, he has three TDs (1 INT) and an average of 144.5 yards passing. Mohamed Ibrahim leads the team in rushing with an average of 138.8 yards a game over five games. He has nine touchdowns on the ground. Brevyn Spann-Ford is the Golden Gophers’ leading receiver with 42.0 yards a game and one TD.
Sean Clifford has nine passing touchdowns (2 INT) with 191.7 yards per game through six games to lead Penn State. In three home games this season, he has thrown for five TDs (1 INT) and an average of 190.0 yards. Nicholas Singleton has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 80.3 yards a game through six games. He has five touchdowns. Parker Washington has been the primary target in the Nittany Lions’ passing game, averaging 53.0 yards per game through six appearances.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
Penn State (-200)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
