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Free Service Play For Saturday October 4, 2003
(315) Minnesota at (316) Northwestern 12:00 pm EST
Northwestern +11.5 (3 Units)
We’ll be riding the home dog here as the Wildcats are catching the Gophers in a Penn St./Michigan sandwich. Minnesota is coming off one of their biggest wins in recent memory to remain undefeated. If they aren’t still celebrating, they might be looking ahead to their Friday night matchup with Michigan next week. They had better be careful because the Wildcats can pull off the upset. While they come in at 2-3, Northwestern has looked good at times. They dominated Kansas in their opener, something no other team has been able to do since. They outgained Air Force 452-409 and had 7 more first downs but 4 interceptions led to 10 Air Force points. They went on the road and beat up a very experienced team from Duke. And then there are the losses to Miami and Ohio St. where nothing went right. Which team will we get today? The Wildcats have thrived in this position before and we don’t see why it can’t happen again. "Minnesota presents some unique challenges. But I'm one of those coaches, I believe that preparing for a specific opponent is overrated," Northwestern coach Randy Walker said. "You need to do it. But it's about you. It's about how you come to play. If the right guys show up in purple, I like our chances." Northwestern will turn to Jason Wright. A year ago, Wright rushed for 1,234 yards. And though Ohio State limited him to 55 yards on Saturday, he still has gained 528 yards in the season's first five games and is ranked 22nd nationally. "Jason Wright is a very underrated back in this league," Minnesota coach Glen Mason said. "He's got great vision. If you're out of position he finds it." Northwestern coach Randy Walker calls Wright the most complete back he has coached. "A lot of backs, you say 'block' and they don't understand English," Walker said. "He's willing to do whatever it takes, whether it's being good in the passing game, being a good blocker. . . . He's really a complete player and takes pride in being that." A year ago, Wright played a big role in Northwestern's near comeback victory against the Gophers. Trailing 45-21, Northwestern made a game of it in the fourth quarter. When Wright, who finished with 148 yards, scored on a 32-yard run, the Gophers' lead was cut to 45-42 with 4:12 to play. Minnesota held on, but the Gophers certainly remember how they struggled to stop Northwestern's spread attack. Because of that, the Gophers will face their most dangerous running back to date. There is much to say about the Gophers running attack and deservedly so but Northwestern is right up there as well. Minnesota is ranked 2nd in our rushing offense ratings while the Wildcats come in at #16. Neither team is stopping the run well, with Minnesota ranked 53rd and Northwestern ranked 72nd. Northwestern is 14-6 ATS as a home underdog in conference play. Minnesota has lost 13 straight games in their second of back-to-back road games since 1993. The dog is 9-2 ATS the last 11 in this series. Minnesota is in a very tough spot here coming off their big win yet trying not to peek ahead to next week’s big game. We believe the Wildcats keep this close and an outright upset wouldn’t be too surprising.
(315) Minnesota at (316) Northwestern 12:00 pm EST
Northwestern +11.5 (3 Units)
We’ll be riding the home dog here as the Wildcats are catching the Gophers in a Penn St./Michigan sandwich. Minnesota is coming off one of their biggest wins in recent memory to remain undefeated. If they aren’t still celebrating, they might be looking ahead to their Friday night matchup with Michigan next week. They had better be careful because the Wildcats can pull off the upset. While they come in at 2-3, Northwestern has looked good at times. They dominated Kansas in their opener, something no other team has been able to do since. They outgained Air Force 452-409 and had 7 more first downs but 4 interceptions led to 10 Air Force points. They went on the road and beat up a very experienced team from Duke. And then there are the losses to Miami and Ohio St. where nothing went right. Which team will we get today? The Wildcats have thrived in this position before and we don’t see why it can’t happen again. "Minnesota presents some unique challenges. But I'm one of those coaches, I believe that preparing for a specific opponent is overrated," Northwestern coach Randy Walker said. "You need to do it. But it's about you. It's about how you come to play. If the right guys show up in purple, I like our chances." Northwestern will turn to Jason Wright. A year ago, Wright rushed for 1,234 yards. And though Ohio State limited him to 55 yards on Saturday, he still has gained 528 yards in the season's first five games and is ranked 22nd nationally. "Jason Wright is a very underrated back in this league," Minnesota coach Glen Mason said. "He's got great vision. If you're out of position he finds it." Northwestern coach Randy Walker calls Wright the most complete back he has coached. "A lot of backs, you say 'block' and they don't understand English," Walker said. "He's willing to do whatever it takes, whether it's being good in the passing game, being a good blocker. . . . He's really a complete player and takes pride in being that." A year ago, Wright played a big role in Northwestern's near comeback victory against the Gophers. Trailing 45-21, Northwestern made a game of it in the fourth quarter. When Wright, who finished with 148 yards, scored on a 32-yard run, the Gophers' lead was cut to 45-42 with 4:12 to play. Minnesota held on, but the Gophers certainly remember how they struggled to stop Northwestern's spread attack. Because of that, the Gophers will face their most dangerous running back to date. There is much to say about the Gophers running attack and deservedly so but Northwestern is right up there as well. Minnesota is ranked 2nd in our rushing offense ratings while the Wildcats come in at #16. Neither team is stopping the run well, with Minnesota ranked 53rd and Northwestern ranked 72nd. Northwestern is 14-6 ATS as a home underdog in conference play. Minnesota has lost 13 straight games in their second of back-to-back road games since 1993. The dog is 9-2 ATS the last 11 in this series. Minnesota is in a very tough spot here coming off their big win yet trying not to peek ahead to next week’s big game. We believe the Wildcats keep this close and an outright upset wouldn’t be too surprising.