Battle for Paul Bunyan's Axe: Minnesota Gophers Vs Wisconsin Badgers

Paul Bunyan's Axe is a symbol of one of the most heated rivalries in college football, representing the oldest and most-played rivalry in Division I-A football, with 118 editions dating back 1890.

The Golden Gophers lead the all-time series, 59-51-8, while the Badgers lead the Axe's series, 34-24-3.

Earlier, the schools played for the "Slab of Bacon", a piece of wood with an M or a W, depending from which angle one would look on it. Minnesota led that series 11-3 until the trophy was "lost" in 1943.

It would not resurface until 1994 after the renovation of Camp Randall Stadium and the "Bacon" was found in a storage room. To this day Wisconsin "holds" the trophy in its football office (despite being 3-11 during the trophy's overall series).

The Paul Bunyan Axe would be instituted as the trophy in the series in 1948 (Gophers would be 3-1 in that stretch until the Axe was instituted); the scores of each game are recorded on the axe's handle, which is six feet long.

When the game ends, if the team holding the trophy wins, they run to their own sideline, take the axe and carry it around the field. If the team not holding the trophy wins, they are allowed to run to their opponents' sideline and "steal" the axe away.

Last year, the Badgers defeated the Gophers 35-32 in 2008 to retain the axe in Madison.

However, this year will be quite different to say the least.

In a game of balanced teams, the Gophers (3-1) face an undefeated Badger (4-0) team that has yet to play outside the confines of Camp Randall Stadium with their biggest win being this past week, 38-30 over a Michigan State still searching for it's soul.

However, Minnesota has yet to tally a big win as their two notable performances include their prior victory over Northwestern, 35-24, and their close loss to then #8 Cal, 35-21 which they were tied at 21 entering the fourth quarter.

Both teams are obviously seeking respect in a Big Ten full of under-achievers now with #15 Penn State falling from grace and #9 Ohio State trying to remain a top 10 team. With teams like Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan stepping up into the alotted role of a dark horse in the Big Ten.

Offensive Rush

Wisconsin Badgers—197.8 Yards/Game, 10 Rushing TD's
Minnesota Golden Gophers—105.8 Yards/Game five Rushing TD's

Until last week, one might say that Wisconsin holds a distinct advantage in the running game. Then Duane Bennett ran for 89 yards and three touchdowns as part of a 166 yard effort by the Gophers.

However, Wisconsin sophomore John Clay also put up 142 yards and a score of his own and has averaged 99.5 yards a game. Unlike Minnesota's three headed combo though, Clay is the primary running threat with junior Zach Brown (172) is his alternate that has put yardage similar to Bennett (210).

Overall, Minnesota's offensive line is still learning to use their bulk size and charge ahead for yards versus the pass blocking they're accustomed to. On top of that, Bennet and Eskridge are still learning how to read holes in run-blocking schemes.

Wisconsin has shown more balance in their play-calling however compared to Minnesota's pass-heavy offense.

(Min) RB Duane Bennett—210 Rush Yards, four Rushing Touchdowns
(Wis) RB John Clay—398 Rush Yards, four Rushing Touchdowns

ADVANTAGE—Wisconsin

Offensive Pass

Wisconsin Badgers—230.3 Yards/Game, eight Passing TD's
Minnesota Golden Gophers—221.5 Yards/Game, five Passing TD's

With two of the finest quarterbacks in the Big Ten set to do battle, one has to wonder who will make the bigger dent. The Gophers have the best receiver in the Big Ten and arguably the country compared to the Badgers receiving core which has posted great numbers as a squad and appears to have the best depth in the Big Ten.

Senior Eric Decker is a yard shy of 500 yards on the season and has proved time and time again that he should be at bare minimum double covered. With how much he's in sync with Weber, it's pretty obvious where the Gophers offense lies.

However, if the Gophers want to take the Badgers by surprise, they should work with those under Decker to make the most of their passing game. Hayo Carpenter and Brandon Green are slated as the top backups, yet neither has a 1/4 of the yards the Decker has.

Of Wisconsin Badger redshirt junior Scott Tolzien, the Gophers should keep all 22 eyes on. Tolzien has improved in the past couple games getting the plays well balanced and well represented. The Badgers have three receivers at 200 yards or more (Nick Toon, Isaac Anderson and Garret Graham) and have seven touchdowns between those three players.

Throw in the fact that starting defensive end Cedric McKinley and backup safety Tim Dandridge have been suspended for two games due to a violation of team rules, the Gophers are going in a little lighter then usual.

Quote To Note: “He’s a good player. Both look very poised and accurate with the football. I think our guy’s a very good football player.”—Minnesota head coach Tim Brewster on comparisons between Wisconsin quarterback Scott Tolzien and Minnesota quarterback Adam Weber.

(Min) WR Eric Decker—35 Receptions, 499 Yards, four Touchdowns, one pass Touchdown (124.8 Yards/Game)
(Wis) WR Andrew Brewer—12 Receptions, 236 Yards (78.7 Yards/Game)

(Min) QB Adam Weber—75-for-129 (58.1%), 879 Pass Yards, five Touchdowns, five INT
(Wis) QB Scott Tolzien—66-for-99 (66.6%), 884 Pass Yards, eight Touchdowns, two INT

ADVANTAGE—TIE

Defensive Rush

Wisconsin Badgers—145.8 Yards/Game
Minnesota Golden Gophers—144.5 Yards/Game

As already mentioned, the Gophers are without defensive end Cedric McKinley for the next two home games and against arguably the biggest game of the year for the Gophers.

By the numbers, this looks like a stalemate. However, through the schedules, only one team really sticks out on Wisconsin's schedule so far, and that's Michigan State. Minnesota on the other hand has faced the triple option of Air Force and Cal's Jahvid Best.

With that taken into consideration, one has to wonder how big of a loss McKinley will have.

Not to mention Wisconsin's defense is tied with Iowa in the Big Ten for the most take aways with 12, of which five were by fumble recovery.

ADVANTAGE—(Slight) Wisconsin

Defensive Pass

Wisconsin Badgers—226.0 Yards/Game
Minnesota Golden Gophers—213.3 Yards/Game

The Gophers boast the #5 defense in the Big Ten against the pass although they are only better the Wisconsin by so much.

Wisconsin's defense has now been reformed with seven new starters in more of a playmaking defense then their traditional 3-4 fundamental style.

Gophers head coach Tim Brewster announced Monday morning the suspensions for McKinley and backup Safety Dandridge.

Minnesota doesn’t have a ton of depth at safety or defensive end. And they’re facing the Big Ten’s most efficient passer in Scott Tolzien, who has thrown eight touchdowns and two picks. The Gophers will need to pressure him as much possible if they hope to stay in the game let alone win it.

Key Stat: Wisconsin has seven interceptions to Minnesota's two.

Note to ponder: Former Wisconsin recruit Kim Royston is now playing safety for the Golden Gophers.

ADVANTAGE—Minnesota

Momentum

Wisconsin Badgers—On five-game winning streak over MN; Won last 12 of 14
Minnesota Golden Gophers—Among top three teams to take lead in the Big Ten

• Wisconsin is undefeated at 4-0 (1-0 Big Ten).
• Minnesota's lone loss is to the then #8 Cal, otherwise 3-1 (1-0 Big Ten).
• Wisconsin QB Scott Tolzien won Big Ten offensive player of the week last week for his performance against Michigan State.
• Nate Triplett and Lee Campbell both have earned player of the week honors in the Big Ten. Triplett also won the National defensive player of the week against Air Force in week two.
• Biggest game of the season should motivate both teams without even mentioning the details involved.
• Big Ten pecking order still seeking an identity, the Gophers get a shot against one of the league's three undefeated teams at their new home, TCF Bank Stadium.

ADVANTAGE—Minnesota

Overall Advantage?

At the Bank, the nod is for Minnesota. It could become a shootout if both running games falter early. Otherwise, expect the score to be somewhere in the ball park of 30-40 points, especailly with both teams fighting for the one prize that means more then any bowl win would... Paul Bunyan's Axe.