Early Signing Period in college football is nearing its end and the Wisconsin Badgers have signed all 21 commits in their impressive class of 2021.
During a normal year when the Badgers miss the conference championship this is an off week and bowl preparation begins
That is not the case this year, though, as tomorrow at 3 p.m. CST Paul Chryst and his team will take the field against rival Minnesota and close out their regular season.
Related: Five things the Wisconsin Badgers must do to keep Paul Bunyan’s Axe
The battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe was originally canceled a few weeks ago due to a COVID-19 outbreak within the Gopher football program. Thanks to this “champions week” being added to the conference’s 2020 schedule, the Big Ten was able to get the game scheduled and renew one of the greatest rivalries in the country.
Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck talked about the scheduling of the Axe game during his mid-week press conference, saying that everybody involved is excited about getting the chance to play the game.
“It just made sense,” Fleck said. “There’s so much history and tradition between these two teams. And I’m just glad and thankful the Big Ten thought the same way and found a way to keep that tradition and that rivalry going.”
Related: The boat has sunk for Minnesota this year
The Gopher head coach continued to discuss the Badger team he will face on Saturday, first raving about their run defense and strength up front on defense.
“It’s going to be incredibly critical we take advantage of every play that we run or pass,” Fleck said. “The execution of those plays is going to be absolutely critical because [Wisconsin is] phenomenal up front. Probably the best defensive line and front seven we’ve played all year…They’re really good on the back end. One rushing touchdown, that just says it all…That’s what this whole week has been about, finding creative ways to be balanced, especially with the position we’re in getting some players back.”
The ground game will go a long way towards deciding who wins the contest, as the Badgers come in having allowed only one rushing touchdown while the Gophers boast nearly 200 yards-per-game on the ground and 19 rushing touchdowns.
Another factor that will decide who carries Paul Bunyan’s Axe when the clock hits zero is the Wisconsin offense and whether they can find success putting points on the board for the first time since they played Michigan.
Fleck discussed the Badger offense, saying the unit isn’t unlike what his team has seen in recent years.
“Well, the challenge is you’re playing Wisconsin. And Wisconsin is Wisconsin. When you watch their film on offense there’s not a lot that’s changed. They’re going to do what their personnel can do. And most of their personnel, what you know they can do, they do,” Fleck said. “They are still very physical, they’re going to run the football, they’re going to establish the run game, play-action pass, move the pocket, use quick game and they’re very good up front. And their tight end position who is a huge part of what they do, he’s very talented. 84 is one of the better ones in the league. We have our work cut out for us. We have to play our best game of the year.”
This contest could make-or-break the season for both teams, with the Badgers sitting at 2-3 after three straight losses and the Gophers sitting not much better at 3-3. In a season that has been challenging for everybody involved, a win against your most longstanding rival will do a lot for the departing sentiment and give a bit of momentum heading into Bowl Season and the year to come.