The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers (7-4, 4-4 Big 10) and University of Wisconsin Badgers (6-5, 4-4 Big 10) face off Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium for their regular season finales. The Badgers are three-point favorites, and the total is 36.
Minnesota is coming off a close 13-10 loss to Iowa at Huntington Bank Stadium last Saturday. Athan Kaliakmanis was 7 of 15 for 87 yards and an interception. Mohamed Ibrahim ran 39 times for 263 yards and a touchdown. Daniel Jackson caught two passes for 43 yards.
Wisconsin beat Nebraska 15-14 at Tom Osborne Field at Memorial Stadium last Saturday. Graham Mertz threw for 83 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Chez Mellusi carried 21 times for 98 yards. Keontez Lewis caught three receptions for 31 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Golden Gophers won the only meeting between the teams last season, a 23-13 victory in November. Tanner Morgan tossed one touchdown for Minnesota, as Ky Thomas added a rushing TD.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Golden Gophers are averaging 28.7 points per game for the season, 65th in FBS, and they are facing a Badgers defense that has surrendered 20.3 PPG (27th). Meanwhile, Wisconsin has scored 27.5 points a game this season, 75th in the country, and Minnesota is allowing 13.1 PPG (3rd).
The Golden Gophers rank as one of the nation’s top teams in rushing yards per game (229.5, 9th), while they are 119th in passing yards (173.8). They will be matching strength against strength on the ground, as the Badgers are 11th in the nation in rushing yards allowed per game (103.6).
Against the pass, Wisconsin is 24th (191.6).Wisconsin has been one of the country’s least successful passing teams, averaging 189.4 passing yards per game (112th), while ranking 51st in rushing yards (176.0).
Minnesota’s defense has proven stout through the air, as the Golden Gophers are 8th in the nation in passing yards allowed per game (172.1). Against the run, the Golden Gophers are 10th (102.5).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through eight games, Tanner Morgan has thrown for seven touchdowns (5 INT) and 165.5 yards per game to lead Minnesota in passing. In three away games this season, he has three TDs (1 INT) and an average of 109.0 yards passing.
Mohamed Ibrahim leads the team in rushing with an average of 152.4 yards a game over 10 games. He has 19 touchdowns on the ground. Daniel Jackson is the Golden Gophers’ leading receiver with 49.8 yards a game and two TDs.
Graham Mertz has 19 passing touchdowns (9 INT) with 178.7 yards per game through 11 games to lead Wisconsin. In six home games this season, he has thrown for nine TDs (4 INT) and an average of 197.2 yards.
Braelon Allen has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 101.9 yards a game through 11 games. He has 10 touchdowns. Chimere Dike has been the primary target in the Badgers’ aerial attack. He has six touchdowns and a 60.1 yard per game average through 10 appearances.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
Wisconsin (-165)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
