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The Minnesota Golden Gophers (5-3) will host the Illinois Fighting Illini (3-5) on Saturday at 3:30 PM ET.
The Fighting Illini are underdogs, but by less than a field goal (+2), against the Golden Gophers (with an over/under of 42.5 points).
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Game Info for Minnesota vs. Illinois
- Game Day: Saturday, November 4, 2023
- Game Time: 3:30 PM ET
- TV Channel: BTN
- Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Stadium: Huntington Bank Stadium
| Favorite | Spread | Favorite Spread Odds | Underdog Spread Odds | Total | Over Total Odds | Under Total Odds | Favorite Moneyline | Underdog Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | -2 | -110 | -110 | 42.5 | -110 | -110 | -134 | +113 |
Minnesota Pick Insights
- Minnesota has a 3-5-0 record against the spread this season.
- Minnesota has a 2-3 record against the spread in games it was favored by 2 points or more this season.
- The teams have hit the over in three of Minnesota’s eight games with a set total.
Minnesota Stats & Insights
- While Minnesota ranks 33rd in total defense with 333.1 yards allowed per game, the team’s offensive unit has been slightly less successful, ranking 17th-worst (314.9 yards per game).
- Minnesota has been a bottom-25 scoring offense this season, ranking 24th-worst with 21.1 points per contest. The defense ranks 48th in the FBS (22.8 points allowed per game).
- Minnesota ranks sixth-worst in passing offense (140.4 passing yards per game), but thas played slightly better on defense, ranking 47th with 214.8 passing yards allowed per game.
- Minnesota is putting up 174.5 rushing yards per game on offense this season (44th in the FBS), and is surrendering 118.4 rushing yards per game (32nd) on defense.
- Minnesota has the 87th-ranked third-down offense this year (37.5% third-down percentage), but has been less effective defensively, ranking 25th-worst with a 44.2% third-down conversion rate allowed.
- Minnesota has the 27th-ranked turnover margin in college football at +4, forcing 15 turnovers (17th in the FBS) while turning it over 11 times (66th in the FBS).
Minnesota’s Best Players
- Athan Kaliakmanis has compiled 1,123 yards (140.4 ypg) on 100-of-183 passing with seven touchdowns compared to seven interceptions this season.
- Darius Taylor has carried the ball 103 times for a team-high 591 yards on the ground and has found the end zone four times.
- Jordan Nubin has been handed the ball 46 times this year and racked up 229 yards (28.6 per game) with two touchdowns.
- Daniel Jackson’s 507 yards as a receiver lead the team. He’s been targeted 67 times and has collected 36 receptions and six touchdowns.
- Corey Crooms has hauled in 21 receptions totaling 269 yards so far this campaign.
- Brevyn Spann-Ford has a total of 109 receiving yards so far this year, grabbing 15 passes.
- Danny Striggow has racked up 4.5 sacks to pace the team, while also recording four TFL and 19 tackles.
- Minnesota’s top-tackler, Maverick Baranowski, has 35 tackles, three TFL, and one sack this year.
- Tyler Nubin leads the team with three interceptions, while also collecting 24 tackles, one sack, and three passes defended.
Illinois Betting Insights
- Illinois is 1-7-0 against the spread this season.
- Illinois has a 1-3 record against the spread when an underdog by 2 points or more this season.
- Illinois has gone over in three of their eight games with a set total (37.5%).
Illinois Pick Insights
- With 365.5 total yards per game on the offensive side of the ball, Illinois ranks 83rd in the FBS in 2023. Defensively, it ranks 95th, giving up 396 total yards per contest.
- Illinois’ offense has been bottom-25 this season, putting up 20.4 points per game, which ranks 21st-worst in the FBS. On the defensive side of the ball, it ranks 84th with 27.8 points allowed per contest.
- From an offensive standpoint, Illinois is generating 228.6 passing yards per game (68th-ranked). It ranks 81st in the FBS on the other side of the ball (235 passing yards allowed per game).
- With 136.9 rushing yards per game on offense, Illinois ranks 89th in the FBS. Defensively it ranks 89th, allowing 161 rushing yards per contest.
- Illinois has been struggling on third down, ranking 14th-worst with a 46.3% third-down conversion rate allowed per game. It has been more effective offensively, generating a 35.2% third-down rate (101st-ranked).
- Illinois sports a -4 turnover margin this season, which ranks 104th in the FBS.
Illinois’ Best Players
- Luke Altmyer has thrown for 1,676 yards on 151-of-239 passing with 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions this season. He has chipped on the ground, as well, with 301 yards and three rushing touchdowns.
- The team’s top rusher, Kaden Feagin, has carried the ball 67 times for 329 yards (41.1 per game) with two touchdowns.
- Isaiah Williams paces his squad with 562 receiving yards on 46 receptions with one touchdown.
- Pat Bryant has totaled 324 receiving yards (40.5 yards per game) and five touchdowns on 24 receptions.
- Casey Washington has racked up 271 reciving yards (33.9 ypg) this season.
- Jer’Zhan Newton has collected 3.5 sacks to lead the team, while also recording four TFL and 31 tackles.
- Illinois’ top-tackler, Dylan Rosiek, has 41 tackles and three TFL this year.
- Xavier Scott has a team-leading two interceptions to go along with 38 tackles and three passes defended.
