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NCAA Football

Boilermakers vs. Golden Gophers Preview/Pick

Oddsmakers currently have the Golden Gophers listed as 3-point favorites versus the Boilermakers, while the game’s total is sitting at 51½, here is a preview, pick and lines betting angle for Purdue Boilermakers vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers…

Big 10 Conference Showdown – Purdue at Minnesota

Purdue Boilermakers vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers
Saturday, October 10 – 12:00 p.m.
Football Betting Odds: Minnesota -3 ½

For Purdue it’s been an “oh so close,” opening to the 2009 campaign, as through five games they have just one win, with their four losses by an average of four points.

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Last weekend was especially tough, as the Boilermakers lost their Big 10 opener at home to Northwestern. Purdue led 14-3 after the first quarter and 21-16 at halftime, but couldn’t put a single point across the board in the second half, losing 27-21 with the Wildcats scoring the go-ahead touchdown with just two minutes to play.

Here are some betting trends that may be significant in this game:

Minnesota: 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games
Minnesota: Total has gone OVER 6 of their last 8 games
Minnesota: 1-5 ATS in their last 6 home games
Purdue: 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games
Purdue: 0-5 SU in their 5 road games
Purdue: 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 games against Minnesota

There’ll be a must-win atmosphere in Minneapolis Saturday, as the Purdue Boilermakers and the Minnesota Golden Gophers- both losers of conference games last weekend- square off in a Big 10 battle.

The Boilermakers are led by gun-slinging, but sometimes erratic quarterback Joey Elliot. On the year, Elliot has been good at times, and others just as bad, passing for over 1100 yards on the young season, but also tossing seven interceptions to go with his 10 touchdown passes.

On the other side of the ball, Purdue’s defense has left a lot to be desired themselves. A unit that came into the season with quite a bit of experience has been quite disappointing, giving up 29 points and 399 yards per game. Both statistics are ranked 90 th or worse in college football.

As for Minnesota, the Gophers offense begins and ends with wide receiver Eric Decker. The senior leads college football with a total of 639 yards receiving, and is tied for second with 43 total catches on the season. No Gopher has more than 13 catches, and not a single running back has rushed over 100 yards in a game yet, which puts the offensive pressure squarely on Decker’s shoulders.

While Minnesota’s defense isn’t quite as bad as Purdue’s, it does need some work. On average, they give up 377 yards and 24 points per game. Their rushing defense however is one of college football’s worst, giving up 174 yards per game.

With both teams coming off a loss, look for each to come into Saturday’s game focused. For Minnesota, it’s always a concern on how they plan on getting Decker the ball, especially with defense keying on him. Can Purdue’s pass defense which on average has given up 240 yards a game do anything to stop him?

As for Purdue, the defense has struggled, the offense continues to turn the ball over, but at some point they have to pull out one of these close games, right? And on Saturday I think they do.

Even though Minnesota has more talent across the board, Purdue has been too close against too many good teams to not eventually pull one out.

With Minnesota playing their last game before back-to-back trips to Penn State and Ohio State, it’s easy to imagine them looking ahead.

Our Pick: Purdue +3 ½

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By Cappers Picks

Articles on CappersPicks.com are written by Q (the Head Honcho) at Cappers Picks or by our resident "in house" handicapper Razor Ray Monohan! Enjoy the free picks folks! "Pad that bankroll one day at a time!"