PREMIUM
MIN GOPHERS -3
(NCAAF) Golden Gophers (MIN) vs. Fighting Illini (ILL),
Point Spread: -3.00 | -105.00 Golden Gophers (MIN) (Away)
Result: Win
Point Spread: -3.00 | -105.00 Golden Gophers (MIN) (Away)
Result: Win
Here's why I'm backing Goldy Gopher to cover the three-point spread:
-Minnesota is on a roll, with QB Max Brosmer opening up the passing game in a way that hasn't been seen in quite some time at UM. The Gophers' gunslinger has an average depth of target of over ten yards, which is noteworthy for a QB who used to be known as a dink-and-dunk guy. With Daniel Jackson (51 receptions for 568 yards and three TDs) and Elijah Spencer (28 receptions for 354 yards and four TDs), he has two serious pass-catching weapons at his disposal.
-The Gophers' ground game will be rolling, too. Darius Taylor (104 carries for 513 yards and seven TDs) will be a scary weapon against an Illinois defense that ranks 128th in Rushing Success Rate allowed and 132nd in Defensive Line Yards. HC P.J. Fleck has always loved to run the football, and he should have a lot of success with that on Saturday.
-The Illini have been humbled following losses to Penn State and Oregon. They have lost three of their last four games at home in November and have failed to cover in 10 of 11 home games against unranked opponents. QB Luke Altmyer will be missing his top receiving target, Pat Bryant (510 yards and seven TDs), which is troublesome, as the Illini's other four receivers with 100-plus yards have only two combined TDs between them.
-Minnesota is on a roll, with QB Max Brosmer opening up the passing game in a way that hasn't been seen in quite some time at UM. The Gophers' gunslinger has an average depth of target of over ten yards, which is noteworthy for a QB who used to be known as a dink-and-dunk guy. With Daniel Jackson (51 receptions for 568 yards and three TDs) and Elijah Spencer (28 receptions for 354 yards and four TDs), he has two serious pass-catching weapons at his disposal.
-The Gophers' ground game will be rolling, too. Darius Taylor (104 carries for 513 yards and seven TDs) will be a scary weapon against an Illinois defense that ranks 128th in Rushing Success Rate allowed and 132nd in Defensive Line Yards. HC P.J. Fleck has always loved to run the football, and he should have a lot of success with that on Saturday.
-The Illini have been humbled following losses to Penn State and Oregon. They have lost three of their last four games at home in November and have failed to cover in 10 of 11 home games against unranked opponents. QB Luke Altmyer will be missing his top receiving target, Pat Bryant (510 yards and seven TDs), which is troublesome, as the Illini's other four receivers with 100-plus yards have only two combined TDs between them.
