The 136th edition of the Paul Bunyan’s Axe rivalry, the oldest trophy game in FBS dating to 1890, closes the Big Ten regular season as the Wisconsin Badgers (4-7, 2-6 Big Ten) travel to face the bowl-eligible Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-5, 4-4 Big Ten) at Huntington Bank Stadium. Minnesota, under P.J. Fleck, enters with a chance to cap a 7-5 campaign and extend their bowl streak (projected Duke’s Mayo Bowl) after a 24-7 rout of Wisconsin in 2024—the Gophers’ first series win since 2021. Wisconsin, enduring a “disappointing” year under Luke Fickell amid injuries and offensive struggles, desperately needs a victory to salvage pride and potentially sneak into a bowl via chaos. The Golden Gophers’ balanced attack (top-50 scoring at 28.2 PPG) tests the Badgers’ depleted secondary (bottom-40 pass D), while Wisconsin’s ground game (top-40 rush YPG) could grind down Minnesota’s front—expect Minneapolis chill, Gopher gold, and a defensive slugfest with the Axe on the line.
Venue Location
The game unfolds at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This 50,805-seat Big Ten staple, opened in 1992 and renovated in 2014, is Minnesota’s home since 1982 and known for its raucous “Row the Boat” fanbase and tailgate traditions along the Mississippi River. It’s Wisconsin’s first trip to Minneapolis since 2023 (last six “home” games alternated), drawing a near-sellout crowd—Gophers hold a 34-28-2 home edge in the series.
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. CT)
Broadcast: Big Ten Network (BTN; primary), with streaming on BTN app and Fubo. Radio: Wisconsin’s 1310 AM (Badger Radio Network); Minnesota’s 100.3 FM (Gopher Radio Network).
Weather Updates
Minneapolis in late November brings typical Upper Midwest bite, priming a cold-weather grind. Forecast for game day: Partly cloudy with a high of 42°F (6°C) and a low around 28°F (-2°C). Winds: NW at 10-15 mph (gusts to 20 mph), with a 20% chance of light snow flurries in the afternoon. Wind chill in the upper 20s°F (-3°C)—natural grass field expected firm but potentially slick if flurries hit, favoring Minnesota’s run-heavy scheme (top-40 YPC) over Wisconsin’s passes; average November humidity ~70%.
Injury Report
Wisconsin’s QB and O-line woes persist, while Minnesota’s depth holds amid a soft slate. Updates as of November 28.
Wisconsin Badgers:
| Player | Position | Status | Injury Details | Impact |
| Billy Edwards Jr. | QB | Questionable | Undisclosed (limited vs. Nebraska; arm/shoulder) | Backup to starter; if out, thins room (team 2-4 without full QB depth)—Badgers rank 110th scoring (22 PPG). |
| Jake Renfro | OL | Out | Arm (season-ending) | Swing tackle; O-line allowed 32 sacks (115th nationally). |
| Preston Zachman | S | Questionable | Undisclosed (post-bye) | Slot safety; strains secondary (bottom-40 pass D). |
| Kevin Heywood | OL | Out | Undisclosed | Interior starter; further shuffles trenches. |
| Dilin Jones | Various | Out | Undisclosed | Depth; no major ripple. |
Overall: Five key issues; Fickell noted “cautious” for Edwards, with run game intact (top-40 YPG).
Minnesota Golden Gophers:
| Player | Position | Status | Injury Details | Impact |
| Miniefield | Various | Uncertain | Undisclosed (Nov. 22 update) | Depth piece; offense unaffected (top-50 efficiency). |
Overall: Minimal listings; Fleck praised “healthiest we’ve been,” with QB Max Brosmer fully healthy.
Player Matchups
Minnesota’s balance (top-50 SP+ offense) edges Wisconsin’s grit (top-60 defense). Rivalry history favors close games; keys:
Wisconsin QB (starter TBD, Edwards questionable) vs. Minnesota Secondary: Badgers’ passer (est. 2,200 yds, 15 TDs) targets shorts. Gophers’ DBs (top-40 efficiency, 11 INTs) force TOs. Edge: Minnesota—Gophers 5-1 with 2+ TOs; Badgers 1-5 with 3+ giveaways.
Minnesota QB Max Brosmer vs. Wisconsin Pass Rush: Brosmer’s rhythm (2,500 yds, 18 TDs) carves zones. Badgers’ front (top-50 sacks) pressures 25% dropbacks. Edge: Brosmer—Minnesota 4-1 exceeding 300 yds/game.
Wisconsin RB (committee) vs. Minnesota Front Seven: Badger backs (180 YPG) test LBs (top-50 run D). Edge: Even—Badgers 3-2 under 150 rush yds.
Minnesota WR (group) vs. Wisconsin CBs: Targets (est. 1,200 yds) exploit zones. Badgers bend (60th passer rating). Edge: Minnesota—Gophers 4-2 when WRs hit 150+ yds.
Recent Team Forms
Wisconsin Badgers: Fickell’s Badgers lost 24-17 at Nebraska (Nov. 23), extending issues—backup QBs sputtered (18 PPG last 3), D held firm (top-40 scoring). Morale: Bowl hunt—2-3 ATS road.
Minnesota Golden Gophers: Fleck’s Gophers edged Purdue 24-20 (Nov. 23), with Brosmer’s clutch (250 yds). Balanced (28.2 PPG), D opportunistic (12 TOs). Morale: Bowl lock—4-1 SU home.
Series History
The Paul Bunyan’s Axe rivalry, contested since 1890, stands tied through 2024 (63-63-8). All-time: Tied 63-63-8. Wisconsin leads recent (6-4 last 10). Gophers hold after 2024’s 24-7 win (first since 2021). At Huntington Bank: Minnesota 34-28-2. Iconic: 2017’s 31-0 Wisconsin shutout; Minnesota’s 1906 63-0 rout.
| Year | Winner | Score | Notes |
| 2024 | Minnesota | 24-7 | Gopher upset |
| 2023 | Wisconsin | 28-24 | OT thriller |
| 2022 | Wisconsin | 42-19 | Badger blowout |
| 2021 | Wisconsin | 23-13 | Defensive gem |
| 2020 | Wisconsin | 57-0 | Record margin |
Betting Trends
Wisconsin: 5-6 ATS (45.5%); 2-3 ATS as 1.5-pt road faves. 4-7 O/U; unders in 4/6 away. 3-3 SU as favorite (50%). Vs. Minnesota: 6-4 SU last 10, 5-5 ATS.
Minnesota: 6-5 ATS (54.5%); 3-2 ATS as 1.5+ home dogs. 5-6 O/U; unders in 3/5 home. 3-3 SU as underdog (50%). Series: 4-6 SU last 10.
Series Trends: Home team 5-5 SU last 10; unders 6/10 (avg. 42 pts). Dogs cover 5/8; Minnesota 4-1 ATS home vs. Wisconsin recent. Advanced: FPI gives Wisconsin 52% win prob. Wisconsin top-60 offensive SP+; Minnesota 70th overall.
Game Odds
Wisconsin Badgers – 1
Minnesota Golden Gophers 38.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, November 28, 2025
