INSIGHT BOWL PICKS AND ANALYSIS: IOWA STATE VS. MINNESOTA

This game could very well be called the ‘Major Conference Mediocrity Bowl’ as it features a matchup of Big 12 vs. Big Ten teams with 6-6 records.   Of the two teams, Iowa State definitely has the most to be excited about by just being here, as the Cyclones were a pitiful 1-10 last year.  Minnesota has become something of a fixture in this bowl game, making their third appearance in the Insight Bowl in the past four seasons.  The college football betting pointspread for this game has Minnesota installed as a -2’ point favorite with the total set at 48’.

From a matchup standpoint, these two teams are very similar on the offensive side of the ball.  Neither was particularly effective putting points on the board this year, with Minnesota finishing last in the Big 10 both in scoring and total offense.  Iowa State wasn’t much better, finishing 11th in the Big 12 in the same categories.   Though the schools are located less than 200 miles apart, they’ve only played twice since 1924 with Minnesota winning both games.

In a contest between two teams of similar skill level, neither of which does anything exceptionally well we have to look beyond the X’s and O’s for our handicap.  Iowa State’s turnaround from last year’s debacle was impressive to be sure, and much credit belongs to first year coach Paul Rhodes and his staff.  After a year in which the Cyclones lost 10 straight games, just getting his charges to this point is a significant accomplishment.

Nevertheless, the most important consideration between these two sides is Minnesota’s comfort with playing at this level and experience in this game.  More significantly, they return to a bowl setting with which they’re very familiar and against an opponent they can realistically beat.  It’ll give the seniors on the Golden Gophers squad a good chance to atone for last year’s non-competitive 42-21 loss to Kansas in the 2008 Insight Bowl.

Not much confidence in Minnesota’s ability to extend a margin in getting a win, but at this price that might not be an issue.  We look for the favored Gophers to win and cover, and think that both teams will put enough points on the board to go ‘OVER’ the low total.

Bet the Insight Bowl Iowa State vs. Minnesota at Sports-1.