Minnesota-Wisconsin football game back on for next Saturday

Axe week is back. The Gophers football team will play at Wisconsin on Saturday at 3 p.m. as part of the Big Ten’s Champions Week, the conference announced on Sunday.

Minnesota was originally scheduled to play the Badgers on Novemeber 28, but the game was canceled due to numerous positive COVID-19 tests within the Gophers program.

Saturday’s battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe will be the 130th meeting between the Gophers and Badgers progams and is the most-played rivalry in FBS history.

"The Minnesota and Wisconsin rivalry is one of the best in sports," said Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck. "This game means a tremendous amount to the student-athletes, coaches and fans of both schools. We are excited to play and extend this rivalry, as Saturday’s game will be the 130th meeting. In a year of constant change, we appreciate the Big Ten, both administrations and each conference member institution for preserving this rivalry."

Wisconsin leads the all-time series 61-60-8 and the teams have traded road wins in the last two games.