Ever since the thrilling conclusion to last season's matchup between the No. 25 Wisconsin football team (2-1 Big Ten, 5-1 overall) and Minnesota (0-3, 2-4), the two teams have gone in drastically different directions.
Ranked No. 22 at this time last season, the Gophers have taken a nose dive since the shocking loss, losing seven of 11 games, while the Badgers have won nine of 12.
Still, Wisconsin cannot take the Gophers for granted in the 116th time the two teams have played (the most in Division I-A). Minnesota will certainly be desperate for a chance to get the Paul Bunyan's Axe back from its bitter rival, and are coming off a heart-breaking loss to Penn State Saturday in which they lost because of a missed extra point.
""One of the things I brought up [to the team] on Saturday was the axe,"" UW head coach Bret Bielema said in his Monday press conference. ""It's an important thing and we're hopefully going to be able to carry that through this weekend.""
The main battle this weekend will be between Minnesota's offense and Wisconsin's defense. UW is allowing less than 13 points a game while the Gophers are averaging more than 30 points a game. In the past, Minnesota's running game was the strength of its offense, but junior Amir Pinnix has struggled at times this season.
Senior quarterback Bryan Cupito matured over the offseason into an efficient quarterback, and the Badgers will have to force him into bad decisions if they are going to shut down the Gopher offense.
""Last year, they played to the strengths of their running backs. With those two guys in the backfield, they relied on them to win ballgames and did certain things down the stretch to highlight that,"" Bielema said. ""But this year ... coach Mason and their offensive coaches have made an understanding that their quarterback is a very, very strong influence in their offense.""
UW cornerbacks Allen Langford and Jack Ikegwuonu will have their hands full Saturday, as Gopher receivers Logan Payne (6'2, 205 lbs) and Ernie Wheelwright (6'5, 215 lbs) have had their ways with opposing defensive backs at times this season. Langford and Ikegwuonu cannot be too aggressive or they will get burned.
The key problem for Minnesota will be stopping P.J. Hill. The Gophers are 98th in the nation in rushing defense, allowing 164 yards per game, not a good thing when facing the running back that is second nationally in total rushing yards. The Gopher defensive line and linebackers need to buckle down and make tackles or it will be a very long day for Minnesota's defense.
The showdown takes place at 11 a.m. Saturday at Camp Randall and will be televised nationally on ESPN.
Barry sculpture
A life-sized sculpture of UW Athletic Director Barry Alvarez will be unveiled Friday at 1 p.m. The bronze sculpture will be located at Gate 1 on the south end of the stadium.
""[Alvarez] has made very significant contributions to not only the athletic department, but the University as a whole,"" Chancellor John Wiley said. ""This sculpture will serve as a permanent reminder of his commitment to excellence as Wisconsin's football coach.""
