The rumors were flying and this game seemed unofficially in place for the last few days, but this afternoon it became official. The Minnesota Gophers vs Wisconsin Badgers football rivalry is again scheduled to play for the 130th straight season this Saturday at 3PM. Paul Bunyan’s Axe will be on the line.

???? #B1GFootball Champions Week ????

Check out the #B1G Football Champions Week schedule! Which matchup are you most excited for? pic.twitter.com/kFahxWgQZh

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) December 13, 2020

Throw out records. This game immediately becomes the 2nd most intriguing of the weekend in the Big Ten. The Gopher roster is ever-fluctuating this season but the jumbled offensive line ripped gigantic holes in the Nebraska front-7 yesterday.

Wisconsin Badgers 2020 recap

After starting the season on fire vs Illinois and Michigan, Wisconsin has now lost 3-straight games and haven’t posted double digit points in any of the three..

The Badgers put up 45+ points in their first two games this season and haven't mustered double-digits since… #Gophers

45 vs ILL: W
X @ NEB —
X vs PUR —
49 @ MICH: W
7 @ NW: L
X vs MIN —
6 vs IND: L
7 @ IOWA: L

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) December 13, 2020

That doesn’t mean anything, though. The Minnesota Gophers are going into Madison, Wisconsin looking to become (unofficially) bowl eligible but this will be Championship season for the Badgers. All they have left to hold onto in 2020 is the Axe. Losing that would make this season a complete failure on the football field.

The Gophers will have to bring everything they have to win this one.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan