Northwestern Wildcats vs Minnesota Golden Gophers odds, spread & prediction
Northwestern Wildcats6-3
Minnesota Golden Gophers5-4Two Big Ten programs on two-game losing streaks meet in Minneapolis on Saturday, with Northwestern bringing the better defense and Minnesota holding home-field advantage in a rivalry that has seen two of the last five meetings decided by three points.
See the full college football board & lines →Northwestern Wildcats vs Minnesota Golden Gophers prediction: who is favored
The market favors the Northwestern Wildcats at -150 on the moneyline, a 56% implied chance to win.
BettorEdge community odds as of Nov 9. This is what bettors are pricing, not a pick, and it moves as money comes in.
At a glance
- Northwestern is the road favorite, with the fair price in the markets at -150
- Northwestern is 6-3, Minnesota is 5-4, both riding two-game skids heading into this Big Ten clash
- Northwestern won the last meeting 38-35 at Wrigley Field in 2025, with two of the last five meetings decided by three points or fewer
Lines at a glance
Where this game is priced right now. Every number is peer to peer, set by bettors rather than a sportsbook.
No spread is shown for this game. The market has not settled on one number yet, and a spread we cannot confirm against the moneyline is worse than none at all.
Northwestern vs Minnesota preview
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Form and Scoring
Northwestern is averaging 31 points per game and allowing just 19.3, the stronger defensive profile of the two. Minnesota is scoring 24.7 per game and giving up 22. The Wildcats' last two losses came at Oregon and at home against Iowa, while the Gophers dropped back-to-back games, losing at Indiana and then at home to UCLA. Neither team is arriving with momentum, which keeps the market honest.
Recent Meetings
Northwestern has won two of the last five meetings between these programs, and both of those wins were tight: 38-35 in 2025 at Wrigley Field and 37-34 in 2023. Minnesota won the other three by larger margins, including a 31-3 blowout at Huntington Bank Stadium in 2022. This game travels back to Minneapolis, where the Gophers have that lopsided result on their side. The common-opponent reads are mixed: both teams lost to Indiana, but Northwestern also lost to Iowa while Minnesota beat Iowa.
How to play it
Minnesota at +108 offers the better number if you believe home field and the 2022 result in this building matter. Head to BettorEdge, name your price on either side, and let the community come to you.
2026 season so far
Every result both teams have posted this season, with scoring averages.
- vs South Dakota StateW 34-18
- vs ColoradoW 41-7
- at IndianaL 23-29
- vs Penn StateW 34-13
- vs Ball StateW 45-14
- at Michigan StateW 24-21
- vs RutgersW 42-14
- at OregonL 26-34
- vs IowaL 10-24
Went 7-6 in 2025. Current streak: L2. Home: Ryan Field, Evanston, IL.
- vs Eastern IllinoisW 59-7
- vs Mississippi StateL 13-38
- vs AkronW 41-7
- at WashingtonW 27-24
- vs MichiganW 20-14
- at PurdueL 13-41
- vs IowaW 13-10
- at IndianaL 16-23
- vs UCLAL 20-34
Went 8-5 in 2025. Current streak: L2. Home: Huntington Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN.
Common opponents
Teams both sides have already played this season.
- IndianaNorthwestern: L 23-29Minnesota: L 16-23
- IowaNorthwestern: L 10-24Minnesota: W 13-10
Matchup history
Northwestern Wildcats and Minnesota Golden Gophers last played on Saturday, Nov 22, 2025, when the Northwestern Wildcats won 38–35. Over the last 5 meetings: Minnesota Golden Gophers 3, Northwestern Wildcats 2.
MINNMinnesota Golden Gophers@NUNorthwestern Wildcats35–38NUMINNMinnesota Golden Gophers@NUNorthwestern Wildcats34–37NUNUNorthwestern Wildcats@MINNMinnesota Golden Gophers3–31MINNMINNMinnesota Golden Gophers@NUNorthwestern Wildcats41–14MINNMINNMinnesota Golden Gophers@NWNorthwestern Wildcats38–22MINNMeetings from the last 8 seasons, from ESPN.
Preseason scouting report
Northwestern Wildcats
- New offensive coordinator in Chip Kelly (Las Vegas Raiders Offensive Coordinator)
- Starting QB from last season is gone. Michigan State transfer Aidan Chiles is expected to start (1,392 yards, 10 TDs, 3 INTs; 227 rushing yards, 6 rushing TDs)
- Caleb Komolafe returns at RB after a sophomore season of 941 yards and 11 TDs
- All three starting WRs return in Griffin Wilde (880 yards, 8 TDs), Hayden Elgon II (521 yards, 3 TDs), and Drew Wagner (172 yards, 2 TDs)
Minnesota Golden Gophers
- Drake Lindsey returns at QB after a freshman season of 2,382 yards, 18 TDs, and 6 INTs
- Darius Taylor returns at RB after a 2025 season of 670 yards and 4 TDs
- Two out of the top three players in terms of receiving yards return in Javon Tracy (454 yards, 6 TDs) and Jalen Smith (419 yards, 4 TDs)
- Returning three starting offensive lineman that allowed 24 sacks in 2025 (T-68th in CFB)
The rest of the slate
Every other Power 5 game with a live market right now.
More college football odds
Frequently asked questions
What time does Northwestern Wildcats vs Minnesota Golden Gophers start?+
Northwestern Wildcats at Minnesota Golden Gophers kicks off Saturday, Nov 21, 12:00 PM ET at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN. Start times are listed in Eastern; check your own zone if you are watching from elsewhere.
Who is favored in Northwestern Wildcats vs Minnesota Golden Gophers?+
The Northwestern Wildcats are favored at -150 on the moneyline in prediction markets. Prices move as money comes in, and on BettorEdge you can set your own number on either side.
What is the spread for Northwestern Wildcats vs Minnesota Golden Gophers?+
No spread is posted for this game yet. College markets open later and move more than NFL markets, and we would rather show you nothing than a number we cannot confirm.
What are Northwestern and Minnesota's records in 2026?+
The Northwestern Wildcats are 6-3 and the Minnesota Golden Gophers are 5-4 this season. Northwestern is scoring 31 points a game and allowing 19.3; Minnesota is scoring 24.7 and allowing 22.
When did Northwestern and Minnesota last play?+
They last met on Saturday, Nov 22, 2025, when Northwestern Wildcats won 38-35 at Wrigley Field. Over the last 5 meetings in the past 8 seasons, Northwestern has won 2 and Minnesota 3.
What is the "community lean" on this game?+
It is the share of real money posted on each team on the BettorEdge peer-to-peer order book. Because every price is backed by another bettor, the open interest is a genuine read on what the community believes.
When do the lines lock?+
Markets lock at kickoff, Saturday, Nov 21, 12:00 PM ET. Prices move as money comes in beforehand, so the community lean and the best number can shift right up until the game starts.
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