With College GameDay in Bloomington, Ind., Indiana hosts Minnesota on Saturday, Oct. 31, at 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS) from Memorial Stadium.
The defending national champions are 20.5-point favorites, and my Minnesota vs. Indiana predictions and college football picks are backing the Hoosiers' defense to shut down a Golden Gophers team coming off its biggest win of the season.
Minnesota vs Indiana predictions
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Early Minnesota vs Indiana spread pick: Indiana -20.5
Last week, Indiana survived Michigan to beat the Wolverines in the Big House for the first time since 1967. The Hoosiers' drought against Minnesota isn't nearly as long, but Curt Cignetti is poised to deliver Indiana its first win against the Golden Gophers in nearly two decades.
While this is a large spread for a flawed Indiana team, I still like the Hoosiers to cover up to -21.5 because of how sporadic Minnesota's offense has been this season. In five games against Power Four opponents, the Gophers are averaging just 17.2 points per game and have failed to score more than 13 points three times.
Indiana boasts the toughest defense Minnesota has faced this season. The Hoosiers' defense is ranked No. 2 in the country by SP+, allows the second-fewest points per game (12) and eighth-fewest yards per game (264.8) in college football, and is one of four P4 teams with 7+ interceptions and 27+ sacks.
Defensive coordinator Bryant Haines is one of the best in the business at pre-snap disguises and simulated pressure, which will force Minnesota QB Drake Lindsey to make mistakes. Lindsey has nearly as many turnover-worthy plays (8) as touchdown passes (9) this season.
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Early Minnesota vs Indiana total pick: Under 41.5
Indiana's defense has helped it hit the Under in five of its last seven games, including three straight. When the Hoosiers play a team that has a better defense than offense, they hit the Under, which is why I like it at 39.5 or better against Minnesota.
In its last three games, Indiana hasn't combined with its opponents (Michigan, Ohio State, Nebraska) for more than 37 points. While Minnesota's defense isn't on the same level as those three teams, it's still top-30 by SP+, No. 8 in EPA per pass, and 31st in available yards percentage (40.6%).
The Gophers can make Indiana's offense one-dimensional enough, especially with Josh Hoover banged up, to keep the Hoosiers to fewer than 30 points.
If Minnesota does that, the Under will be in good shape because the Gophers will struggle to score double-digit points. Indiana's defense ranks top 20 nationally in points per opportunity (2.81) and havoc rate (19.6%).
Led by one of the top pass rush duos in the Big Ten, Tobi Osunsanmi and Stephen Daley, the Hoosiers can win this game in the ballpark of 27-6.
Minnesota vs Indiana odds
- Minnesota vs Indiana spread: Indiana -20.5
- Minnesota vs Indiana moneyline: Minnesota 9%, Indiana 91%
- Minnesota vs Indiana Over/Under: 41.5
How to watch Minnesota vs Indiana
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, 3:30 p.m. ET
- City: Bloomington, Ind.
- Venue: Memorial Stadium
- TV: CBS
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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