– Last Updated on December 22, 2022 3:18 pm
Free Week 9 Prediction: Golden Gophers vs Fighting Illini Odds
Looking forMinnesota Golden Gophers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini free picks? Week 9 College football betting sees the Golden Gophers taking on the Fighting Illini Saturday October 29nd at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NCAA football season long so stay tuned for more FREE college football predictions.
Week 9
(4-3) Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini (1-6)
Date: Saturday, October 29th
Time: 12:00 pm EST
Venue: Memorial Stadium, Champaign, Illinois
NCAA Football Spread: OFF (AS of Tuesday 7:30pm ET)
NCAA Betting Total: OFF
Live CFB Odds
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This Big 10 matchup features a pretty good Minnesota team looking to reach bowl eligibility against a weaker Illinois squad.
Minnesota is coming in after a very surprising close win against conference doormat Rutgers, and Illinois was beaten badly by Michigan last week.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Mitch Liedner’s poor play is a big reason why the game against Rutgers was so close.
After looking like the worst team in the country against the heavyweights of the conference, the Scarlet Knight defense held Liedner to only 156 yards passing and 39 yards rushing and a score.
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If the Gophers are going to have any chance at winning this one, he will need to play much better against Illinois. I expect him to put in a good performance and throw 2 touchdowns this week.
Talented runner Rodney Smith has been the key reason Minnesota is riding a two game winning streak. During the 2 game span he is averaging 20 carries for 127 yards per game (6.3 yard per carry).
I look for him to get the ball 20+ times again in this contest and he should have his 3rd straight 100 yard rushing game.
After a strong start to the season, receiver Drew Wolitarsky has been average at best the last couple of weeks.
He had 5 catches for 50 yards against Rutgers, not eye opening numbers but a solid day.
To secure a big road victory he will need to play at a higher level, and I look for him to answer the call this week and have his second 100 yard receiving game of the season.
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To get the win this week the Gophers will need to stop the running game, and I look for the front seven to do just that after being run on all day by the Scarlet Knights.
Illinois Fighting Illini
Jeff George Jr, Illinois’ third QB on the depth chart, should not have been expected to have a big game against one of the toughest teams in the country.
Michigan shut down the Illinois passing attack, as George Jr. was only 4-15 for 95 yards.
The bright spot for the passing game is that the offensive line only gave up 1 sack against a highly talented Wolverines defensive line.
If the O-line can keep up the good pass protection Jeff George Jr. will come up big for them down the stretch. However that is a very big if.
Kendrick Foster has had a very inconsistent season.
He will break out for over 100 yards one win, and then the next week have less than 50. He carried the ball only 8 times for 45 yards against Michigan.
The time of possession was 42-18 in favor of the Wolverines, look for the coaching staff to make running the ball a key point for the offense against the Gophers front seven.
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Michigan was able to run the ball at will last week, as the Illini front seven had no answers to stop them.
If they can’t stop the run this week Illinois will have a long day and lose the time of possession battle by a wide margin yet again.
NCAA Football Handicapping Trends
- Over is 8-3 in MINN last 11 conference games.
- Under is 8-2 in ILL last 10 home games.
- ILL are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games in October.
Free Week 9 NCAA Football Prediction
Minnesota will run the ball at will, and Illinois 3rd string QB won’t do enough to keep this one close.
4* Free NCAA Betting Pick: Minnesota -13.5
Illinois has no answers for the Gopher running attack and won’t be able to pass the ball to get back into the game.
Week 9 Free Score Prediction: Minnesota 24 Illinois 10
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