Wisconsin and Minnesota are set to play for Paul Bunyan’s Axe to get Friday began on a loaded rivalry weekend of faculty soccer. This would be the 134th assembly all time — and the 117th consecutive recreation, which makes it the longest uninterrupted sequence in FBS historical past — between the Badgers and the Golden Gophers in what has change into considered one of this sport’s most hotly contested feuds.
Minnesota and Wisconsin are 3-3 within the sequence since 2018, with the highway staff notably successful every of the previous two matchups. Minnesota has gained two of its final three video games in Madison, Wisconsin after dropping 11 straight from 1996-2016. Although the general report is even over the previous six years, solely two video games in that span have been determined by one possession.
Previous to 2018, Wisconsin gained a series-record 14 straight from 2004-17. The Badgers additionally maintain a really slim lead all-time with a 63-63-8 report. That being mentioned, it is a large recreation for Luke Fickell’s squad.
After beginning the yr 5-2, Wisconsin has misplaced its final 4 video games. It is this system’s longest dropping streak since 2008, and solely the third time since 1992 that the Badgers have dropped 4 consecutive contests. Minnesota, in the meantime, has gained 4 of its final six after posting a 2-3 report by its first 5 video games.
watch Wisconsin vs. Minnesota stay
Date: Friday, Nov. 29 | Time: Midday ET
Location: Camp Randall Stadium — Madison, Wisconsin
TV: CBS | Stay stream: CBSSports.com, CBS Sports activities App (Free)
Streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime (Strive It Free)
Wisconsin vs. Minnesota: Have to know
Wisconsin’s bowl streak on the road: The Badgers have so much to play for once they take the sector Saturday. They’ve made it to a bowl recreation in 22 straight seasons, which is the third-longest lively FBS streak behind Georgia (27) and Oklahoma (25). The Bulldogs and Sooners have already certified for the postseason this yr. Wisconsin hasn’t suffered a dropping season since 2001 below former coach Barry Alvarez. Its 22 straight successful seasons lead the FBS. The Badgers are additionally making an attempt to keep away from dropping 5 straight video games for the primary time since 1991.
Acquainted foes on the sidelines: Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck and Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell go means again. Each have been on workers at Ohio State in 2006 — Fleck was a graduate assistant and Fickell was the co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach — below former Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel. Ohio State gained a Massive Ten title with a 12-0 common season and went on to the BCS Nationwide Championship Recreation, the place it misplaced to Florida and future Buckeyes coach City Meyer. Fleck spent only one season at Ohio State earlier than shifting on to change into large receivers coach at Northern Illinois, whereas Fickell remained on workers by the top of Tressel’s tenure and was even interim coach of the Buckeyes in 2011.
Minnesota’s dominant protection: Minnesota has gained a number of video games this season behind one of many strongest defenses within the nation. The Golden Gophers are top-15 within the FBS in scoring protection (18.5 factors per recreation), whole protection (302.3 yards per recreation) and turnovers pressured (20) this season. They’ve additionally allowed the fifth-fewest performs of a minimum of 25 yards from scrimmage.
Freshman defensive again Koi Perich has been an enormous star for Minnesota. The previous top-100 prospect out of Esko, Minnesota instantly turned a figurehead for Minnesota’s protection. He at the moment leads the Massive Ten with 5 interceptions, which he has returned for 63 yards. He additionally has 34 whole tackles, 1.5 for a loss, and one pressured fumble by 11 video games.
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Wisconsin vs. Minnesota prediction, picks
The Massive Ten West lives on, if in spirit solely. The projected level whole for this recreation on sports activities betting apps is absurdly low, and for good purpose. Neither Wisconsin nor Minnesota fields what we’d sometimes consult with as an explosive offense. Actually, the Golden Gophers have simply seven scrimmage performs of 30-plus yards, which is way and away the fewest within the FBS. In the meantime, Wisconsin is averaging simply 24 factors per recreation, which is within the backside third of the Massive Ten and ranks properly beneath the nationwide common. It’s going to be a wrestle for each groups to constantly discover the top zone. — Choose: Beneath 43 (-108)
SportsLine’s confirmed pc mannequin is looking for a number of outright upsets in Week 14 of school soccer. Go to SportsLine now to see all of them, plus get unfold picks for each recreation from the mannequin that simulates every recreation 10,000 instances.