Minnesota vs. Northwestern Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions: How To Play High Spread & Low Total

Minnesota vs. Northwestern Betting Odds

• Spread: Northwestern +14
• Over/Under: 39.5
• Time: 12 p.m. ET
• TV: ABC

If you like to bet situational spots, we've got the game for you.

Minnesota is fresh off a narrow loss at Iowa that ended its unbeaten season. But the Gophers' Big Ten West hopes really come down to next week when they host Wisconsin.

So in between is a sleepy, 11 a.m. ET kick at Northwestern, which has been great on defense but horrific on offense all year.

Minnesota's offense has been among the best in the conference, but it may be without quarterback Tanner Morgan, who suffered a concussion last week.

Can the Wildcats cover for the first time in six games, or will Minnesota's offense prove to be too much?

Model Prediction for Minnesota-Northwestern

Collin Wilson uses his power ratings to project every college football spread and total. Get his Week 13 lines here and over/unders here.

• Spread: Minnesota -12.4
• Total: 49.0

Wilson: Northwestern Can Keep it Close

Minnesota had its national title dreams dashed at Kinnick Stadium last week, but maintained hope for the Big Ten Championship.

The Gophers hold a one-game lead in the West division over Wisconsin, as the Badgers come to TCF Bank Stadium next week. That means Minnesota has nothing to play for but its health at Northwestern this weekend.

As of this writing, Gophers quarterback Tanner Morgan remains in concussion protocol. Morgan has been responsible for generating a rank of fourth in passing success and 12th in pass explosiveness.

Head coach PJ Fleck mentioned that whoever had the better practice between Cole Kramer and Jacob Clark would get the start at Northwestern. With Wisconsin on deck, there does not seem to be a logical reason to play Morgan.

Despite the offensive struggles of Northwestern, Pat Fitzgerald's defense is 20th against pass explosiveness. A rank of 38th in Line Yards and seventh in rushing success rate for the Wildcats defense forecasts a grind for the Minnesota offense.

The two-touchdown spread has plenty of value in a game with a listed total under 40. Scoop the +14 where available, as any official announcement of Tanner Morgan's availability is sure to move the number.

Pick: Northwestern +14 [In New Jersey? Bet now at PointsBet]