2022 Minnesota Golden Gophers Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions

Daniel Dobish Sports Betting Expert

3 minute read

2022 MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS BETTING ODDS, PREDICTIONS, PREVIEW

The Golden Gophers had a pretty successful season in 2021, exceeding expectations with eight victories during the regular season and a bowl win over West Virginia. Minnesota played Ohio State tough in the opener before falling, it topped Purdue on the road and also notched a victory over Wisconsin to snag Paul Bunyan's Axe. The only ugly losses during the season were a 14-10 setback against Bowling Green, and a 14-6 loss to Illinois. The Gophers were favored by more than two touchdowns in those games, and they went 0-3 ATS in three games as a double-digit favorite in 2021.

QB Tanner Morgan is back, and so is offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca, who shined in the role in 2019 under head coach P.J. Fleck. He hopes to get the pass game with Morgan a lot more effective and efficient. The good news for the QB is that All-Big Ten C John Michael Schmitz headlines the returnees up front, and WR Chris Autman-Bell (35-490-6) also returns.

RB Mohamed Ibrahim is back after suffering a torn Achilles tendon in the season opener against Ohio State. He had 30 totes for 163 yards and two touchdowns before going down, his ninth consecutive 100-yard rushing game dating back to the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1, 2020.

Defense was tremendously effective in 2021, allowing just 17.3 PPG to rank inside the Top 10 in the country in scoring defense. The team lost four starters, however, and the defensive line was especially hard hit by the losses. Still, defensive coordinator Joe Rossi has a lot to work with.

The non-conference schedule should be fairly easy for the first two games, although facing Bowling Green last season was also expected to be easy, so you never know. The Big Ten opener is at Michigan State in late September, and that will be a test from the jump. The good news is that Michigan and Ohio State aren't crossover games for the Gophers, and most of the conference home schedule should be winnable. This is a bowl team for sure, with potential to win at least eight regular-season games if star back Ibrahim can stay healthy and re-gain his pre-injury form.

Best Bet: Minnesota Over 7.5 (+105)

Updated on 12/23/2024

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2022 MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS SCHEDULE

• Thu., Sept. 1 - vs. New Mexico State
• Sat., Sept. 10 - vs. Western Illinois
• Sat., Sept. 17 - vs. Colorado
• Sat., Sept. 24 - at Michigan State
• Sat., Oct. 1 - vs. Purdue
• Sat., Oct. 15 - at Illinois
• Sat., Oct. 22 - at Penn State
• Sat., Oct. 29 - vs. Rutgers
• Sat., Nov. 5 - at Nebraska
• Sat., Nov. 12 - vs. Northwestern
• Sat., Nov. 19 - vs. Iowa
• Sat., Nov. 26 - at Wisconsin

WIN TOTAL ODDS

• Over 7.5 (+105)
• Under 7.5 (-135)

MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS ODDS TO WIN BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP

+1600

The Golden Gophers are lucky to play in the Big Ten West Division, as the path to a potential Big Ten Championship Game appearance is a lot easier than the East Division. Minnesota still won't be better than Iowa or Wisconsin in the West, so avoid this wager.

MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS ODDS TO WIN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

+17500

The Golden Gophers lay claim to seven national titles, but none since 1960. While the Gophers have had a resurgence lately, winning eight games in 2021, this is a team which has lost two or more games in every season since going 6-1-2 during the 1956 season. Needless to stay, Minnesota is not a serious threat to win the national title in the modern era.

MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS 2022 HEISMAN CONTENDERS & ODDS

Mohamed Ibrahim (RB) +15000

Ibrahim is a risky play since he is coming back from a major injury. Prior to the Achilles' injury, he rolled up nine consecutive 100-yard games. If he is able to get back to his pre-injury form he has the chance to rack up over 1,500 rushing yards and double-digit touchdown totals, perhaps more. If you were to take a few dollars and roll the dice on Ibrahim, it wouldn't be the worst play. However, since Minnesota is likely to lose several games, it likely won't happen.

2021 MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS BETTING RESULTS

• SU: 9-4
• ATS: 8-4-1
• O/U: 6-7
• ATS-Home: 4-3-1
• ATS-Road: 4-1
• ATS-Favorite: 4-3
• ATS-Underdog: 4-1-1

MORE CONFERENCE ODDS

Daniel Dobish

Dan is a handicapper and sports betting expert for VegasInsider with years of experience writing for a number of top publications in the industry. More from Daniel Dobish