Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Wisconsin Badgers: Rivalry Game Preview and Predictions for November 29, 2024

The Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Wisconsin Badgers are set to clash on Friday, November 29, 2024, at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin, with the iconic Paul Bunyan’s Axe on the line. The Golden Gophers, currently standing at 6-5, are narrowly favored by 1 point over the Badgers, who are 5-6 this season.

The game, scheduled to kick off at 12 p.m. ET, will be broadcast on CBS. In their last outings, the Golden Gophers suffered a close 26-25 loss to the Penn State Nittany Lions, while the Badgers were defeated by the Nebraska Cornhuskers with a score of 44-25.

From a betting perspective, the point total for the game is set at 41. The Data Skrive betting model predicts a tight contest, with Wisconsin expected to win 24-23, suggesting a pick of Wisconsin +1 and the over on the total points. The implied score based on the spread and over/under is Golden Gophers 21, Badgers 20.

Statistically, the Golden Gophers have been strong defensively, allowing 18.5 points per game, which ranks them 14th nationally. In contrast, the Badgers have struggled more on defense, giving up 23 points per game, ranking them 51st. Offensively, Minnesota averages 26.5 points per game, while Wisconsin averages 24 points per game.

Key players for the Badgers include running back Tawee Walker, who has 828 yards and 10 touchdowns, quarterback Braedyn Locke with 1,806 passing yards and 12 touchdowns, and wide receivers Vinny Anthony and Will Pauling, who have contributed significantly to the team’s offense. On the defensive side, players like Hunter Wohler, Christian Alliegro, and Jake Chaney have been instrumental.