It appears the Minnesota Golden Gophers and Wisconsin Badgers will battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe after all.
College football’s oldest rivalry will have a 2020 installment after the Big Ten announced that the two schools will play at 3 p.m. next Saturday as part of the conference’s “Champions Week.”
The initial matchup between the Gophers and the Badgers was scheduled for Nov. 28 but was canceled due to a COVID-19 outbreak within the Minnesota program.
With the decision to play the game, the Badgers and Gophers will play for the 114th straight season and the 130th time — the longest streak in college football.
“The Minnesota and Wisconsin rivalry is one of the best in sports,” Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck said in a statement. “This game means a tremendous amount to the student-athletes, coaches and fans of both schools. We are excited to play and extend this rivalry, as Saturday’s game will be the 130th meeting. In a year of constant change, we appreciate the Big Ten, both administrations and each conference member institution for preserving this rivalry.”
The Gophers will try to regain Paul Bunyan’s Axe after losing it to the Badgers in a 38-17 loss next season.
