Wisconsin And Minnesota are ready to fight for Paul Bunyan’s Axis on Black Friday, kicking off a charged weekend of rivalry college football. This will be the 134th meeting ever – and the 117th consecutive game, making it the longest uninterrupted streak in FBS history – between the Badgers and the Golden Gophers in what has become one of the longest-running feuds most contested in this sport.
Minnesota and Wisconsin are 3-3 in the series since 2018, with the road team notably winning each of the last two matchups. Minnesota has won two of its last three games in Madison, Wisconsin, after losing 11 straight between 1996 and 2016. Although the overall record is the same over the last six years, only two games in that period were decided by a single possession.
Prior to 2018, Wisconsin won a record 14 straight series from 2004 to 2017. The Badgers also hold a very narrow all-time lead with a 63-63-8 record. That being said, this is a big game for Luke Fickell’s team.
After starting the year 5-2, Wisconsin lost its final four games. It is the program’s longest losing streak since 2008, and only the third time since 1992 that the Badgers have lost four straight games. Minnesota, meanwhile, has won four of its last six games after going 2-3 in its first five games.
Wisconsin vs. Minnesota: What you need to know
Wisconsin’s bowl streak at stake: The Badgers have a lot to play for when they take the field on Saturday. They have reached a bowl game in 22 consecutive seasons, which is the third-longest active streak in FBS behind Georgia (27) and Oklahoma (25). The Bulldogs and Sooners have already qualified for the playoffs this year. Wisconsin hasn’t suffered a losing season since 2001 under former coach Barry Alvarez. His 22 consecutive winning seasons lead the FBS. The Badgers are also trying to avoid losing five straight games for the first time since 1991.
Familiar enemies on the sidelines: Minnesota coach PJ Fleck and Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell go way back. Both were members of the staff of Ohio State in 2006 – Fleck was a graduate assistant and Fickell was co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach – under former Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel. Ohio State won a Big Ten title with a 12-0 regular season and made it to the BCS national championship game, where it lost to Florida and future Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer. Fleck spent just one season at Ohio State before becoming the wide receivers coach at Northern Illinoiswhile Fickell remained on staff through the end of Tressel’s tenure and even served as interim coach of the Buckeyes in 2011.
Minnesota’s dominant defense: Minnesota has won numerous games this season behind one of the strongest defenses in the country. The Golden Gophers are top 15 in the FBS in defensive rating (18.5 points per game), total defense (302.3 yards per game) and forced turnovers (20) this season. They also allowed the fifth-fewest plays of at least 25 yards from scrimmage.
Freshman defensive back Koi Perich was a big star for Minnesota. The former top 100 prospect from Esko, Minnesota immediately became a leading figure on the Minnesota defense. He currently leads the Big Ten with five interceptions, which he returned for 63 yards. He also has 34 total tackles, 1.5 for a loss and one forced fumble in 11 games.
How to watch Wisconsin vs. Minnesota live
Date: Friday November 29 | Time: noon ET
Location: Camp Randall Stadium — Madison, Wisconsin
TV: CBS | Live broadcast: CBSSports.com, CBS Sports app (Free)
Broadcast on Paramount+ with Showtime (Try it for free)
All sports betting odds via Césars Sports betting. Discover the latest Caesar promo code to enter the game.
Wisconsin vs. Minnesota Prediction, Picks
The Big Ten West endures, if only in spirit. The projected point total for this game on sports betting apps is absurdly low, and for good reason. Neither Wisconsin nor Minnesota boasts what we generally call an explosive offense. In fact, the Golden Gophers have just seven scrimmage plays of 30+ yards, which is by far the fewest in the FBS. Meanwhile, Wisconsin is averaging just 24 points per game, which is in the bottom third of the Big Ten and ranks well below the national average. It will be difficult for both teams to consistently find the end zone. — Choose: Under 43 (-108)
SportsLine’s proven computer model calls for multiple upsets in Week 14 of college football. Visit SportsLine now to see them alland get picks for each game from the model that simulates each game 10,000 times.