Wisconsin (8-3 overall, 5-2 Big Ten) at Minnesota (5-6 overall, 2-5 Big Ten)
When: Saturday, 2:30 p.m. CT – Minneapolis, Minn.
Stadium: TCF Bank Stadium (52,525)
TV/Radio: BTN, KFAN 100.3
Series: Minnesota leads the series 59-57-8
Last Meeting: November 29, 2014; Wisconsin won 34-24 in Madison, Wisc.
Coach: Paul Chryst (1st season, 8-3)
National Championships: Wisconsin (0); Minnesota (7)
INSIDE THE GAME
Getting The Axe
As Gopher fans, we don’t need to hear about the recent history of Paul Bunyan’s Axe. Really, we get it. It’s been awhile. Moving on. The important thing heading into Saturday isn’t how much the fans want the Axe, it’s how much the players want it. By the sounds of it, there’s no shortage of desire to chop down a couple goal posts.
“But there isn’t anybody that walks the halls of this building that doesn’t walk down the steps down to the second level where we have the murals and everything and sees that Axe and says, man, I want to grab ahold of that thing,” said Matt Limegrover.
The Gophers are playing to win the Axe, but also to gain their sixth win and become bowl eligible. For the Maroon and Gold, a bowl comes a distant second to bringing home the trophy.
“This Axe has been in play for a long time, and we haven’t had it for a while,” said Claeys. “So without a doubt, that is the No. 1 priority. Our goal is to bring the Axe back to Minnesota, and then the bowl game would be a byproduct of that.”
The coaches and players are prepared for the type of battle that accompanies a fierce rivalry.
“Everybody knows and everybody will be ready to go,” said Limegrover. “Those kids will play their tail ends off. They understand.”
Kill To Attend
Set aside the rivalry, the Axe, and becoming bowl-eligible. If there’s one thing, above all others, that can get the Gophers pumped for Saturday, it will be seeing their coach and leader on the field for Senior Day. Claeys mentioned that Jerry Kill will be attendance to take part in the festivities, an act that will certainly give the Maroon and Gold a pre-game boost.
“He’s going to participate in the Senior Day before the game, which he should,” said Claeys. “He’s the one who recruited those kids here and just had a lot to do with their development. Obviously not just the kids, I think players and even the fans, it will be good for them to know. For everything that he’s done for here and how that all went down, I think it would be a very appreciative day for him to be here.”
Rivalry Finale
Like many teams, the Gophers and Badgers face off in a rivalry matchup during the last week of the season. With a game late in the year, there will be players banged up on both sides.
“This time in the rivalry there are a lot of the small aches and pains go away when it comes time to kicking off,” said Claeys. “So both sides, I expect, will play very well. Hopefully we can hang in there and make a game of it. But I think our kids will answer the bell and be ready to go.”
How can the Gophers expect to pull out the win on Saturday?
“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,” said Claeys. “It’s a very simple formula, it’s hard to execute.”
Matchup to Watch
Wisconsin Outside Linebackers vs. Minnesota Offensive Line— Wisconsin’s outside linebackers have been a pass-rushing force this season. Senior Joe Schobert (9.5) and redshirt junior Vince Biegel (7.0) have combined for 16.5 sacks this season—more than any other outside linebacker tandem. The Gophers’ offense has found a rhythm lately, but it order for that to continue, they’ll have to neutralize the talented pass rushers from Wisconsin and give Mitch Leidner time to make plays down field.
STORYLINE CENTRAL
News broke on Wednesday that star running back Corey Clement was cited twice for disorderly conduct due to an altercation. Karen Rivedal of the Wisconsin State Journal has the latest on the situation.
Jason Galloway of the Racine Journal Times has a good look at Wisconsin’s perspective of their rivals. The Badgers know the game will be “a heck of a challenge…”
Galloway also has a great breakdown of the Badgers’ recent loss to Northwestern. Once you get past the section on blown calls, you’ll see some video evidence of ways to exploit the Wisconsin offense.
It’s not like the Gophers needs any “bulletin board material” before Saturday’s game. That being said, the Badgers were happy to provide extra motivation heading into the matchup. Marcus Fuller has the latest on the pre-game smack talk.
WHO WINS?
The Gophers Win If…
They can control the Badgers run game to force long third down opportunities. Wisconsin ranks dead last in the Big Ten with just 109 rushing yards per game. Minnesota will look to mimic Northwestern’s defense from last week. The Badgers totaled an incredible -26 rushing yards in their 13-7 loss to the Wildcats. The lack of any type of running game helped Northwestern hold Wisconsin to just 2-13 on third down conversions. If the Gophers can slow the Badger run game down early in the drives, they’ll have a better chance of stopping Wisconsin’s surprisingly dangerous passing attack.
“We still have to be able to stop the run and get them in throwing situations or we’re going to be in trouble,” said Claeys. “But, yeah, they’re not as heavy run, but at the same time they’re a lot better throwing the ball than what they’ve been.”
The Badgers Win If…
They can take advantage of the injury-plagued Gopher secondary. Last year, receiver Alex Erickson torched a healthy group of defensive backs for 160 yards on five receptions. The balanced attack allowed the usually run-oriented Badgers to rack up 448 total yards. This season, Wisconsin has started to air it out even more – ranking second in the conference with 256 passing yards per game. If the Badgers can exploit Minnesota’s secondary, it could spell trouble for the Gophers defense.
“He’s a good receiver,” said Claeys of Erickson. “He’s tall. He can throw the ball up to him on play-action passes. We have to do a better job. They’re going to catch the ball. The thing is tackling them as soon as they catch it and not giving up the big plays. That will be the key.”