BadgerNotes Staff Predictions: The Battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe

Now that the Wisconsin football team is bowl-eligible with their win over Nebraska, we can all take a sigh of relief, right?

We all know this season didn’t live up to the lofty expectations we all had heading into the year, but when you go through a coaching change this is to be expected. Playing in a bowl game in a year of transition is still a form of success. It’s something to build on.

A win over Minnesota and getting the Axe back would be another big win for Coach Fickell and the Wisconsin football program. Like Wisconsin, the Gophers have had a sub-par year. Sitting at 5-6 (3-5), Minnesota needs a win in the worst way. If the Badgers win, the Gophers miss a bowl game and lose the Axe.

The BadgerNotes staff give their predictions on who will win the Axe this year.

BadgerNotes Staff Predictions: Wisconsin Football vs. Minnesota

Christian Borman (6-5): Wisconsin 31-16

The Badgers stole a win at home against the Huskers in OT. So at least now they have a little positive momentum going.

On the other hand, they are pretty banged up.

If they go into the game without Wohler, Bryson Green, or Pauling on top of all the other injuries this team is dealing it, it could be tough to win on the road. I will say, though, the Wisconsin offense started to pick up in the second half on Saturday night. Hopefully, they are getting things figured out and can keep things going against Minnesota, which has allowed massive amounts of yards during the past few weeks. If there’s a time to play Minnesota with a struggling offense, this is the year.

Meanwhile, the Gophers are in a freefall. They have lost three straight games. I think their blown game against Illinois broke them. After the loss to the Illini, the Gophers got blown out by Purdue 39-20, and then by Ohio State, 37-3. They are down badly right now.

Even with the injuries, I think the Badgers go into Minny with some momentum and beat the Gophers while they are down, ending their 2023 season entirely.

Dillon Graff (7-4): Wisconsin 20-14

Wisconsin football rebounded from one of the lowest points of the season to send the seniors off the right way and become bowl-eligible for the 22nd consecutive season last week against Nebraska.

Some could say the Badgers don’t have as much to play for, given the fact they checked the bowl eligibility box. I couldn’t disagree more. This one is for Paul Bunyan’s Axe — and it belongs in Madison.

Minnesota has won it each of the last two seasons — and PJ Fleck is a douche — so I think Wisconsin comes out guns blazing and wins a hard-fought battle regardless of who is healthy enough to suit up on Saturday.

Give me UW in a 20-14 grind-it-out game — that ends the regular season on a high note and prevents the Gophers from becoming bowl eligible.

Jake Maier (5-6): Wisconsin 27-14

Dylan Buboltz (6-5): Wisconsin 17-13

It’s been a tough and largely under-achieving season for the Badgers. They have the ability to end the regular season by taking the Ax back, something they haven’t won since 2020.

There’s a little extra motivation too as a win would take Minnesota out of bowl eligibility. That would bring some extra fire into next season.

It’s two very good defenses and two offenses that have struggled this year. My fear is the injury list for UW. We don’t know if Braelon Allen or Hunter Wohler will play. If they don’t, it’s advantage Gophers.

I think I’m on a high of last week so I think the Badgers find a way to go into Minnesota and take the Ax back. There seems to be some mojo that’s back after a trophy win last week.

Ryan Eilers (6-5): Wisconsin 20-17

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