Battle for the Axe: Badger Observer preview of Wisconsin-Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS (WMDX) – This Saturday will be the 135th meeting between Wisconsin and Minnesota on the football field, with the all-time series tied at 63-63-8.

For Minnesota, it’s a chance to continue to hold one of college football’s most prized possessions (Paul Bunyan’s Axe) and get themselves in line for a better bowl game.

For Wisconsin, the Badgers could close out 2025 on a high note, finishing 3-1 with a pair of Top-25 upsets and a victory in its biggest rivalry game. In addition, Wisconsin could also have a slight chance at a bowl game with a win and several other pieces falling into place (such as not enough 6-6 or better teams to fill out the bowl schedule).

After an 0-5 start to Big Ten play, the Badgers head to Minneapolis with a chance to finish 3-6 in conference, the same as last year. Jake Kocorowski of Badger Observer previews the match-up, the history, and which group of players he expects to have a big day in the Badgers-Gophers showdown on Saturday.

Kickoff is at 2:30 p.m.

GAME 1️⃣2️⃣

🆚 Minnesota
📆 Saturday, Nov. 29th
⏰ 2:30 PM CT
🏟️ Huntington Bank Stadium
📺 FS1
📻 Badger Radio Network pic.twitter.com/yp1VQQzadl

— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) November 24, 2025