#345/346 ASA PLAY ON 8* Under 44 Points – Illinois vs Minnesota, Saturday at 12:00 PM ET - Minnesota loves to play slow and eat clock. They are the 2nd slowest paced team in the nation only ahead of Army. They average just 1.86 plays per minute. The Gophs also run the ball nearly as much as any team in the country. They average 47 carries per game which is the 5th most nationally. Running the ball keeps the clock moving which favors the Under. They are facing an Illini defense that has been solid. They have not allowed more than 24 points in any of their last 6 games and they’ve allowed an average of 16.8 PPG (in regulation) over those 6 contests. The problem for Illinois is on the offensive side of the ball. They have scored a grand total of 8 offensive TD’s in their 6 conference games and if we remove defensive scores and OT game, Illinois is averaging 12 PPG in Big 10 play. It won’t get any better here as Minnesota’s defense is VASTLY improved over last season. They are allowing just 5.0 YPP (30th nationally) and if you take out their season opener vs Ohio State, the Gopher defense is giving up just 15 PPG on the year. This one should be a good old Big 10 grinder and we like the Under.