The Wisconsin Badgers football program has long been a beacon of consistency in college football, boasting an incredible streak of 22 consecutive winning seasons. This impressive record—the longest among schools in the Power Four conferences—has been a cornerstone of pride for the program. The team even highlights this feat prominently in its game notes, calling itself the “Nation’s most consistent program.” However, all streaks face the threat of an end, and Minnesota's Gophers are eager to seize that opportunity in their upcoming matchup.
A Rivalry With High Stakes
This Friday, at the iconic Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin, the Gophers could deliver a devastating blow to their rivals. With the Badgers standing at 5-6 and teetering on the brink of elimination from bowl contention, a Minnesota win would not only end Wisconsin’s streak but also twist the figurative Paul Bunyan’s Axe deeper into their wound. For a rivalry as storied as this, the stakes are as high as ever.
The Badgers are heading into this critical game as one-point favorites, but their recent struggles make the contest feel more evenly matched. They’ve lost four straight games, recently fired offensive coordinator Phil Longo, and have been relying on backup quarterback Braedyn Locke for two months. The Gophers, at 6-5 and bowl-bound regardless of this game’s outcome, smell blood in the water.
"It All Comes Down to This Week"
For Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck, rivalry games transcend records and recent performances. “Both teams are going to leave everything they have out there,” Fleck emphasized. “I don’t think it matters what happened the week before or what happens the week after. It’s all about that one week. That’s what’s fun about rivalries. The records get thrown out the window. What you did in the past gets thrown out the window. You learn from everything and go apply it.”
This “anything can happen” mentality has played out in recent matchups. While the Gophers fell short against Wisconsin last year, losing 28-14 in Minneapolis during head coach Luke Fickell’s debut season, they’ve managed to claim memorable victories in the rivalry’s recent history. In 2022, Minnesota defeated the Badgers 23-16 in Madison under interim coach Jim Leonard, marking their second consecutive win after a 23-13 victory at Huntington Bank Stadium in 2021.
A Rivalry Revival Under Fleck
One of Fleck’s crowning achievements at Minnesota has been breathing new life into the rivalry with Wisconsin. Before his arrival, the Gophers endured a soul-crushing 14-game losing streak to their cross-border rivals. Fleck snapped that streak in 2018 and has gone 3-3 in rivalry games since, bringing a competitive edge back to a series that once felt one-sided.
For offensive lineman Quinn Carroll, the rivalry holds personal significance. Carroll, whose father Jay played tight end for the Gophers, grew up in Edina with this game circled on the calendar every year. “It means a lot to me,” he said this week. “Growing up, this was the game.”
A Trophy-Less Season So Far
While the Gophers are bowl-bound, they’ve yet to secure a single rivalry trophy this season. Losses to Iowa (Floyd of Rosedale), Michigan (Little Brown Jug), and Penn State (Governor’s Victory Bell) have left Minnesota’s trophy cases noticeably bare. This adds extra motivation to Friday’s clash, as the Gophers look to reclaim Paul Bunyan’s Axe and salvage some bragging rights in 2023.
It’s a rare occurrence for Minnesota to go trophy-less in a season. Since the Governor’s Victory Bell became part of their rivalry lineup in 1993, the Gophers have played for all four trophies in nine seasons. Only once, in 1997, did they come up empty-handed. For players like Carroll, born well after that drought, the significance of the Wisconsin rivalry stands tall.
A Chance to Flip the Script
The opportunity feels ripe for Minnesota to exploit Wisconsin’s vulnerabilities. The Badgers, reeling from a tumultuous season, are far from the dominant force they’ve been over the past two decades. A win for the Gophers would not only end Wisconsin’s streak but also cement Fleck’s legacy as a coach who redefined this rivalry.
The game promises to be electric, with both teams leaving it all on the field. Rivalries have a way of producing unforgettable moments, and this matchup has all the ingredients for a classic. Whether it’s the Badgers fighting to preserve their streak or the Gophers looking to topple it, Friday’s clash is set to be a defining chapter in this storied rivalry.
Mark Your Calendars
As the regular season comes to a close, all eyes will be on Camp Randall Stadium. Will Wisconsin rise to the occasion and extend its streak, or will Minnesota deliver a crushing blow to its rival’s historic run? One thing is certain: the stakes, the history, and the emotions will make this a game to remember.
Rivalries like this remind us why college football is so much more than just a sport. It’s tradition, passion, and the chance to etch your name in history. For the Gophers and the Badgers, it’s not just about Paul Bunyan’s Axe—it’s about pride, legacy, and the thrill of victory.
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