Paul Bunyan’s Axe is finally back up for grabs this afternoon in Madison. Minnesota travels to Wisconsin for a 3 PM CT kick at Camp Randall, with the two rivals trending in opposite directions.
The 2-3 Badgers come in as losers of three in a row both outright and against the spread. Minnesota (3-3) has won two in a row after opening the year 0-2. Last year, UW took the Axe back at TCF Bank Stadium with a win that vaulted them into the Big Ten championship game. While no postseason implications are at stake, this rivalry always means more.
How will it all play out? Who should you put your hard-earned money on? Here is what the BadgersWire team thinks:
Ben: The Wisconsin Badgers enter today’s game against Minnesota riding a three-game losing streak that has seen anything but good offensive football. Luckily for the Badgers, this is a poor Minnesota defense that provides a winnable matchup both in the passing game and run game. The Gophers are no Northwestern, Indiana or Iowa, and even though it’s been a rough season, I think the Badgers have enough juice to come away with a victory. Mertz returns to early-season form, the Badger defense shuts down Mohamed Ibrahim, Chimere Dike has a day and the Badgers win it.
Wisconsin 28 Minnesota 20, Minnesota +13.5 and OVER 47.5
Wade: The Wisconsin Badgers have struggled in their last three games on offense because of the impact of injuries on key players. This matchup will not be any different for Wisconsin, as they could be missing WR Danny Davis, WR Kendric Pryor, and Rb Jalen Berger. The Badger defense has played well and will be needed to keep this game as low scoring as possible. That being said, Minnesota has not been the same team this season, and I think Wisconsin finds a way to get it done against the Golden Gophers.
Wisconsin 17 Minnesota 10, Minnesota +13.5 and UNDER 47.5
Asher: This is the perfect way to end the year for both of these programs. No matter what or what isn’t at stake beyond today, this game brings out the best in old rivals. I actually expect a high scoring game by Wisconsin-Minnesota standards, given the struggles that the Gophers have had on defense and the success that they have found recently on offense. If Wisconsin takes care of the ball, and is able to find a solution at RB with Jalen Berger likely out, they should keep the Axe at home.
Wisconsin 31 Minnesota 21, Minnesota +13.5 and OVER 47.5