After Taking Down #4 Penn State, Minnesota’s Odds to Make Playoff Listed at +600
- Minnesota has +600 odds to make the College Football Playoff after a 31-26 win over #4 Penn State
- The Gophers odds were +1600 before the victory
- Minnesota has remaining games with #18 Iowa, #13 Wisconsin, and a potential Big Ten Championship against #1 Ohio State
With a huge 31-26 victory over #4 Penn State, Minnesota’s four-team playoff odds have shot up to +600.
The win validated a resume that lacked substance up to that point, and the Golden Gophers now have a clear shot at the College Football Playoff if they are to win out.
Minnesota’s Odds to Make Four-Team Playoff
| Will Minnesota Make the Four-Team Playoff? | Odds |
|---|---|
| Miss Four-Team Playoff | -800 |
| Make Four-Team Playoff | +600 |
*Odds taken November 11th
PJ Fleck and the Golden Gophers have seen their odds increase as they’ve racked up win after win, but at the end of October, Minnesota’s odds to make the field sat at just +1600. The Penn State win was the first major victory for this team, and now they’re being taken seriously as a team that has a chance to play themselves into the field.
.@R_bateman2 is magic. pic.twitter.com/FII4PnXfKr
— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) November 11, 2019
Where Should Minnesota Be Ranked?
The Gophers, despite being undefeated, came in at only #17 in last week’s committee rankings. It was understandable, given the fact that Minnesota’s resume included only wins against teams like Purdue, Nebraska, and a double-overtime win over Fresno State.
However, the win over Penn State has changed things. Not only did Minnesota win, but they played extremely well. Tanner Morgan completed 90% of his throws for 17 yards per attempt and 3 touchdowns. The Gopher defense picked of Sean Clifford 3 times as well.
The ? Ball ? Is ? The ? Program pic.twitter.com/SvcRzHrHMt
— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) November 10, 2019
At this point in the year, as an undefeated Power Five team with at least one marquee win, Minnesota should see themselves enter the top ten on Tuesday.
What’s Left for the Gophers?
Remaining between the Gophers and a playoff berth is a trip to #18 Iowa, a home matchup with #13 Wisconsin, as well as a potential Big Ten Championship Game against #1 Ohio State. The Buckeyes have -500 odds to make the field, and they’re likely to be big favorites against Minnesota.
JORDAN HOWDEN FOR THE WIN ???? pic.twitter.com/S4Ur9ymhT2
— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) November 9, 2019
For PJ Fleck’s team, making it to Indianapolis is currently the primary focus. They are two games ahead of both Iowa and Wisconsin, so there is still breathing room when it comes to the divisional race.
Also, even if the Gophers lose in one of those games, their playoff hopes wouldn’t immediately be dashed. A win over Ohio State would make Minnesota a 1-loss Big Ten Champion with victories over Ohio State, Penn State, and either Iowa or Wisconsin. The lone loss would be to a top 20 team in either the Badgers or Hawkeyes.
Minnesota still has a tough road ahead, but on Saturday against Penn State, the Gophers showed that they are capable of competing with, and beating, great teams.
With four years as radio host with The Ticket Sports Network and various written contributions to publications such as Fansided, Southbound and Down, and Last Word on Sports, Jake Mitchell comes to SBD with NFL, NBA, NCAAM, NCAAF and MMA know-how you can count on.
