Betting college football in the Big Ten has been a lesson in humility, as many of the results thus far have been nothing short of stunning. Case in point: Iowa and Minnesota both enter Friday’s game coming off their first win after starting the season 0-2.
Minnesota easily defeated Illinois, but it's Iowa’s thumping of Michigan State that has them as 3.5-point road favorites for this Big Ten matchup.
Let’s take a look at our best college football predictions for Iowa vs. Minnesota, with kickoff scheduled for Friday, November 13 at 7:00 ET.
Iowa Hawkeyes at Minnesota Golden Gophers betting preview
Weather
It will be a chilly night in the Twin Cities, with temperatures hovering around the freezing mark for this Big Ten matchup. The forecast is also calling for clear skies and a crossfield wind blowing from the south at 11-12 mph. Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our NCAA football weather info.
Key Injuries
Iowa: Kyler Schott OL (Questionable), Austin Schulte DL (Questionable), Jack Campbell LB (Questionable), Coy Cronk OL (Questionable), Max Cooper WR (Questionable), Matt Lorbeck DL (Questionable).
Minnesota: Treyson Potts RB (Questionable), Ko Kieft TE (Questionable), Keonte Schad DL (Questionable), Curtis Dunlap Jr. (Out).
Find our latest NCAA football injury reports.
Betting trend to know
Iowa has been a good bet in this matchup in recent years with the Hawkeyes going 3-0-1 ATS in the last four meetings. Find more NCAA betting trends for Iowa vs. Minnesota.
Against the Spread (ATS) Pick
While both of these teams dropped their first two games to start the season, those came with very differing circumstances.
Minnesota was coming off an 11-win some and some were wondering if P.J. Fleck’s crew was in a position to be a contender in the Big Ten, but that has not been the case. The Golden Gophers have taken a step backwards, particularly on defense, where they have surrendered 40-plus points in consecutive losses to Michigan and Maryland.
Minnesota responded with a resounding 41-14 win over Illinois, easily covering the 7.5-point chalk. Although the Illini might be the worst team in the Big Ten this season, the numbers for that defense, even with the win, are ugly—the Golden Gophers rank 112th in total yards allowed and 113th against the rush.
Meanwhile, Iowa dropped a pair of nail-biters to open the year, losing to Purdue and Northwestern by a combined five points (both of whom remain undefeated in Big Ten play). The Hawkeyes offense held them back in those games, scoring just 20 points in each, but they got on track against Michigan State in a big way.
The Hawkeyes stomped the Spartans 49-7 last week, which included rumbling for 226 yards on the ground. The Iowa defense also continued to impress in that game, limiting the Spartans to 286 yards and forcing three turnovers.
It just doesn’t appear that Minnesota can stop anyone of substance and if the Hawkeyes can get steady play from QB Spencer Petras, they have the talent and depth to take over in this matchup.
PREDICTION: Iowa -3.5 (-110)
Over/Under Pick
It was the passing game, led by QB Tanner Morgan and wideouts Rashod Bateman and Tyler Johnson (now on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers), that got all the headlines for the Golden Gophers last season.
But the offense just doesn’t seem in sync this year: Morgan has thrown for just 602 yards through his first three games, and while the Bateman has just over half those yards, there hasn’t been much help elsewhere. That is unlikely to change against a Hawkeyes’ defense that ranks in the Top 20 nationally in yards against per game, rushing yards against per games and points allowed per game.
While you should expect Iowa to feed the ball to running backs Tyler Goodson and Mekhi Sargent against that suspect Minnesota rush defense, Petras’ inconsistencies (he is completing just 54.3 percent of his passes) can hold the Hawkeyes back a bit. Maybe just enough to keep this game below the number.
PREDICTION: Under 58 (-110)
First Quarter Spread Pick
Despite the 1-2 SU record, Iowa has outscored its opponents 31-7 in the first quarter this season—and that success could continue against Minnesota Friday.
Only four programs give up more than the Golden Gophers’ 14 first-quarter points per game. Take the Hawkeyes to hold the lead after the opening fame.
PREDICTION: Iowa -0.5 First Quarter Spread (+100)
Iowa vs Minnesota betting card
- Iowa -3.5 (-110)
- Under 58 (-110)
- Iowa -0.5 First Quarter Spread (+100)
Did you know that if you parlayed today’s NCAA Iowa vs. Minnesota picks, you could win $62.89 on a $10 bet?
Use our NCAA parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.
Where can I bet on college football?
You can bet on college football odds at every online and casino sportsbooks, including NCAA football point spreads, Over/Under totals, derivative bets and even prop plays as well. Head over to our best-suggested sportsbooks for the top spots to bet on college football odds in your area.
