AP: Wisconsin vs. Minnesota: A rivalry that really isn't one

[BleedGopher]

per the Associated Press:

As far as rivalries go, the longest-running one in college football really hasn't been much of one lately.

Wisconsin and Minnesota have been going at it since 1890, meaning the blood has been boiling between these border states for 125 years. Paul Bunyan's Axe has gone to the winner every season since 1948, but the Golden Gophers hardly know what it feels like.

The Badgers have taken it home 11 straight times — the longest winning streak in the series — and 18 of the last 20 times these two teams have met.

"The day we show up on the game for the Axe and we play better for four quarters than Wisconsin does, we'll bring the Axe back home," Gophers coach Tracy Claeys said. "It's a very simple formula. It's hard to execute."

Wisconsin (8-3, 5-2 Big Ten) has never lost in three trips to TCF Bank Stadium and has won five straight in Minneapolis overall. Only two games of the last 11 have been decided by fewer than 10 points and the Badgers will likely come in with an added edge after a controversial loss to Northwestern at home last week snapped a five-game winning streak.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...sota-a-rivalry-that-really-isnt-one/76450670/

Go Gophers!!

 

[Gophers7NatTitlesBadgers0]

The Buckeyes have won 13 of the last 17 vs. Michigan. So that must mean there isn't much of a rivalry there? Makes you wonder what asshole Skunk fan wrote this tripe.

 

[watertown 1987 guy n]

Always some putz that trots this story out every year. It's sad some can't just appreciate some of the great history between the schools.

 

[UptownMaroon&Gold]

Minnesota leads the series 59–57–8.

Yes, we've fell on rough times, but you could argue, overall, the rivarly's parity is tough to beat. If anything, wisky is finally catching up.

Yes, I know I am hanging on to ancient history, blah, blah, blah. Don't care. I'm still rubbing in the 63-0 woodshed beating we put on them in the original matchup in 1890. Whew, that was a fun one.

 

[patrick08]

:yawn:

 

[short ornery norwegian]

I posted this on another thread - that now seems to be gone- but the Gophers had a stretch from the 20's through the 40's where they went 20-4 against WI. They had a couple of mini-streaks where they won 6 out of 7, including from '84 to '90.

Before the recent WI run, the Gophers led the all-time series 57-39-8. But, people with short memories only focus on what's happened recently.

 

[hungan1]

A new day is dawned... starting today.

 

[RodentRampage]

I think they don't understand what a rivalry is.

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[Iceland12]

I think they don't understand what a rivalry is.

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Reading Badger players and coaches quotes they do and Claeys certainly does too.

"There is no comparison," Claeys said. "It's the rivalry game and getting the Axe. No disrespect to the bowl but that's a side product to this. I don't think you're respecting the tradition if you go and talk about the bowl games, because this Axe has been in play for a long time, and we haven't had it for a while."

 

[bottlebass]

Reading Badger players and coaches quotes they do and Claeys certainly does too.

"There is no comparison," Claeys said. "It's the rivalry game and getting the Axe. No disrespect to the bowl but that's a side product to this. I don't think you're respecting the tradition if you go and talk about the bowl games, because this Axe has been in play for a long time, and we haven't had it for a while."

Only trophy we haven't won in the "kill era".... Better just change that.

 

[cjbfbp]

Before the recent WI run, the Gophers led the all-time series 57-39-8. But, people with short memories only focus on what's happened recently.

Yes, and why wouldn't they? The Greeks, of course, had one of the most advanced civilizations of a period in the ancient world but they haven't done much lately and that historical greatness isn't much consolation to people living in a country hovering around 25% unemployment today.

If the Gophers want to stop these types of articles, they have to start winning. A lot of people around here seem very sensitive to hearing the truth.

 

[Iceland12]

Yes, and why wouldn't they? The Greeks, of course, had one of the most advanced civilizations of a period in the ancient world but they haven't done much lately and that historical greatness isn't much consolation to people living in a country hovering around 25% unemployment today.

If the Gophers want to stop these types of articles, they have to start winning. A lot of people around here seem very sensitive to hearing the truth.

Have no problem with the article and why you might have a point, you're comparing a period of 1400 years to a period of Badger dominance that started in 1995.

Badger fan or way more likely, Political Science or Marketing Major?

 

[cjbfbp]

Badger fan or way more likely, Political Science or Marketing Major?

None of the above. Never been a Badgers fan and I have a Masters and Ph.D. in a more technical field.

And a period prior to 20 years ago is ancient history in the sports world.

 

[Iceland12]

None of the above. Never been a Badgers fan and I have a Masters and Ph.D. in a more technical field.

And a period prior to 20 years ago is ancient history in the sports world.

Well that explains your analogy then it doesn't it! As for "ancient history" more so for the "but not in my lifetime" crowd.

 

[Maroon92]

good crowd today but did not have the energy of a rivalry game in any way. Even after the pick six you could sense it was going to be a blowout

 

[GophersInIowa]

good crowd today but did not have the energy of a rivalry game in any way. Even after the pick six you could sense it was going to be a blowout

How was the Badger turnout? About the same as it has been the past few years?

 

[Ewert86PC]

per the Associated Press:

As far as rivalries go, the longest-running one in college football really hasn't been much of one lately.

Wisconsin and Minnesota have been going at it since 1890, meaning the blood has been boiling between these border states for 125 years. Paul Bunyan's Axe has gone to the winner every season since 1948, but the Golden Gophers hardly know what it feels like.

The Badgers have taken it home 11 straight times — the longest winning streak in the series — and 18 of the last 20 times these two teams have met.

"The day we show up on the game for the Axe and we play better for four quarters than Wisconsin does, we'll bring the Axe back home," Gophers coach Tracy Claeys said. "It's a very simple formula. It's hard to execute."

Wisconsin (8-3, 5-2 Big Ten) has never lost in three trips to TCF Bank Stadium and has won five straight in Minneapolis overall. Only two games of the last 11 have been decided by fewer than 10 points and the Badgers will likely come in with an added edge after a controversial loss to Northwestern at home last week snapped a five-game winning streak.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...sota-a-rivalry-that-really-isnt-one/76450670/

Go Gophers!!

And in other news, water is wet, winter is cold and extroverts have difficulty getting introverts to open up.

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