Iceland12
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Looking at the schedule for the two teams today,not going back in time, it looks like Minnesota's best win was against Nebraska ( 7-3 with a win at Michigan) and the Badgers best win was against BYU ( 7-3 with wins against Texas and Boise State). That means whichever team wins Saturday their best win will be against their longest standing, nationally ranked, rival.
Now, lets go back in history and see when that last happened.
Thought it might have happened in 2003, the last time Minnesota had the Axe and ended-up ranked 24. Nope, Wisconsin's big win that year was beating #3 Ranked tOSU and they lost their ranking with the previous week's loss at NW. 1999? Gopher's biggest win was against #2 Penn State. How about 1961 when #18 Wisconsin beat #3 Minnesota? Again no, because Minnesota had already beaten three teams ranked #5 at the time and Michigan then ranked #6.
The only year I could find was 1962 when the #5 ranked Gophers lost to the #3 ranked Badgers but alas, this doesn't count because like any Packer victory before 1993, it is not recognized by most Badger fans.
So have at it Saturday, Gopher and Badger players, depending on how things finally shake out, you could be making history!
Now, lets go back in history and see when that last happened.
Thought it might have happened in 2003, the last time Minnesota had the Axe and ended-up ranked 24. Nope, Wisconsin's big win that year was beating #3 Ranked tOSU and they lost their ranking with the previous week's loss at NW. 1999? Gopher's biggest win was against #2 Penn State. How about 1961 when #18 Wisconsin beat #3 Minnesota? Again no, because Minnesota had already beaten three teams ranked #5 at the time and Michigan then ranked #6.
The only year I could find was 1962 when the #5 ranked Gophers lost to the #3 ranked Badgers but alas, this doesn't count because like any Packer victory before 1993, it is not recognized by most Badger fans.
So have at it Saturday, Gopher and Badger players, depending on how things finally shake out, you could be making history!