The Badgers and the Golden Gophers battle for Paul Bunyan’s Ax tomorrow. It’s a rivalry game so this game means more than any other regular season game and trophy game. Wisconsin opens up as three point favorites. Kickoff is 2:30 PM on ESPN. Here is a preview of tomorrow’s game.
Mohamed Ibrahim
The Badgers are going to see a ton of Minnesota running back Mohamed Ibrahim. He’s the best offensive player and the best overall player on this Golden Gopher roster. After coming off a season ending injury last season, the senior back is already at 1,524 yards rushing and 19 touchdowns.
Minnesota will play a lot like how Wisconsin wants to play. They want to own the time of possession and establish the line of scrimmage. It’s unclear if senior quarterback Tanner Morgan will play or not. If not, look for a ton of #24 in White tomorrow.
Best Defense Wins
Both Wisconsin and Minnesota have tremendous defenses. Both are one of the best in the Big Ten and the country. While I do think offenses will have to play a role in deciding who wins this game, it could come down whch defense can get off the field. I think number of possessions will be limited which makes every possession valuable.
If Minnesota turns to freshman back up quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, look to see how the quarterbacks take of the ball. If Wisconsin gets the bad version of Graham Mertz, Minnesota will be looking for chances to make the junior quarterback uncomfortable and force him to make bad decisions with the ball. On the other hand, the Wisconsin defense will look to dial up pressure on Kaliakmanis and force him to make throws he doesn’t want to make. One turnover could be the difference
This Is More Than A Game
The Ax is game is one of the best rivalry games in the country. It’s clear over the years Minnesota and Wisconsin do not like each other. Chopping down the opponents goal post is one of the coolest things you will see in person or on TV.
Nick Herbig said earlier this week that they remember Minnesota playing Jump Around in Minneapolis after the Gophers beat the Badgers last season. This team will be fired up and I think Camp Randall will be rocking tomorrow afternoon.
Prediction
Early in the season, I think it’s safe to say both these teams had Big Ten West championship aspirations. Wisconsin was looked at as the favorite and Minnesota had a number of starters coming back using their COVID year of eligibility. Early in the season, I thought the West could come down to this game.
While both teams are not out of the West title hunt, it’s going to take a lot of other scenarios to happen if the winner of this game goes to Indianapolis next week. I guarantee if you ask the players, this is the game circled on the schedule every year regardless of records.
Can the Badgers get off the field on third down? I think the Badgers will have to win on some third on shorts. Everyone in the stadium will know that Mohamed Ibrahim is likely getting the ball in those cases.
Graham Mertz will also have to make plays as well. Minnesota will be looking to get after a young offensive line and make him throw the ball earlier then he would like.
At the end of the day, I think Wisconsin makes enough plays and I think they get the Ax back to Madison where it belongs. This team is hungry and is playing with confidence after a good road win last week in Lincoln
Wisconsin 20 Minnesota 13
Follow me on Twitter @DylanBuboltz and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here! Also, check out our merch store for some amazing WSH merchandise!
