It will be a battle of the ground games as the Minnesota Golden Gophers (7-4, 4-4 Big Ten) travel to Madison to oppose the Wisconsin Badgers (6-5, 4-4) Saturday afternoon. Chasing Paul Bunyan’s Axe, this rivalry has been played out 131 times to date.
Minnesota lost, 13-10, in a defensive slugfest with Iowa in their last game, ending a three-game winning streak on a late-game field goal. Wisconsin was also in a defensive game, beating Nebraska, 15-14. It was a game-winning touchdown with 35 seconds left.
Let’s check the latest college football odds, stats, injury reports and college football lines for Minnesota vs Wisconsin. We’ve plenty of NCAA football odds for you to consider.
Minnesota vs Wisconsin Betting Lines
See Gophers Run
So, last week, Minnesota running back Mohamed Ibrahim had the best game of an already outstanding 2022 season. He flattened an Iowa defense that has been great against the run, having ended with a career-high 263 yards (one touchdown). His 39 carries were a season-high, which may have factored into his late-game fumble
Since starting quarterback Tanner Morgan went down with an injury, Ibrahim has had at least 32 carries in the last three games, The Golden Gophers are second in conference rush yards this season, and tied in ground touchdowns. Ibrahim has been the main engine of that success, with more than 100 yards on the ground every game this season.
Also, second-string quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis hasn’t been great in his two starts, having failed to get over 100 passing yards. He also threw a late-game interception last week, part of the two turnovers that cost the Gophers the game.
The defense has been good, averaging less than 14 points over the last four. They’ve also been a top-four defense in the fewest points and yards allowed in the conference.
See Badgers Run
As with Minnesota, the Wisconsin offense is led by its run game. Some of that is because of the struggles quarterback Graham Mertz has had this season. In two of the last three games, he hasn’t exceeded 100 yards, though the team won both games, including last week. In the one game, he had over 100 yards passing, the Badgers lost, so…
Braelon Allen had been the lead Badger back, 1,126 yards (10 touchdowns) on the season, six games over 110 yards. He suffered an injury against Nebraska, listed as questionable. His understudy, Chez Mellusi, himself injured much of the season, starred after Allen left the game. He finished with 21 carries (98 yards). Isaac Guerendao has a 6.1-yard average (57 rushes).
Defense, about midway in the conference as far as yards and points per game, stars against the run. They are fourth in rushing yards allowed per game (103.6).
Minnesota vs Wisconsin Game Injuries
Minnesota vs Wisconsin Head-to-Head
Since 2000, this rivalry has been heavily in Wisconsin’s favor, as Minnesota has only won four times. However, Minnesota was a 23-13 winner last season.
Minnesota vs Wisconsin Game Information
- Game: Minnesota (7-4, 4-4 Big 10) vs Wisconsin (6-5, 4-4)
- Date: Saturday, Nov. 26th, 3:30 p.m. EST
- Location: Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, WI
- Minnesota vs Wisconsin Live Stream: ESPN
Minnesota vs Wisconsin Picks & Prediction
Neither has any semblance of a passing game, relying nearly exclusively on the run. Furthermore, they both have good run-stopping defenses, making this a difficult choice.
Minnesota will have its star running back, and the Badgers are without one. Minnesota may play within the field-goal spread. However, it’s just too close to endorsing, making under 36 the best option here.
Minnesota is listed at +135 in our Vegas lines. So, if you wager $100 on Minnesota, you have a chance to win $135. Wisconsin is -155, offering a chance to win $65 on a $100 wager.
The implied probability attached to the betting lines gives Minnesota a 42.55% chance to win, with Wisconsin at 60.78%.
Minnesota vs Wisconsin Trends
Minnesota vs Wisconsin Edge
Minnesota vs Wisconsin Results
Minnesota vs Wisconsin Game Summary
