There is more at stake than just a win when Minnesota hosts border rival Wisconsin on Saturday in Minneapolis.The Badgers (4-7, 2-6 Big Ten) are coming off a 27-10 upset at home over No. 21 Illinois, their second victory over a ranked team in three games.The Golden Gophers (6-5, 4-4) lost to Northwestern 38-35 at Wrigley Field on a 33-yard field goal in the final minute. Minnesota had a chance to tie but Brady Denaburg’s 40-yard field-goal attempt on the final play was wide left.Although bowl eligible, the Golden Gophers have lost two in a row and three of their last four games.”It’s one of the great rivalries in college football,” Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck said Monday. “But having it back here is going to be great, good to be back home. But we’ve got to find a way, no matter where we play, to play our best football.”The series, which dates to 1890, is tied 63-63-8 heading into Saturday’s matchup. Minnesota has won three of the last four, including a 24-7 decision last season at Madison.”It’s all about getting that Axe,” Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell said Monday, referring to Paul Bunyan’s Axe which is awarded to the winner.”It’s still the thing that makes this game, in college in particular, so special is when you have these rivalry games. And the great thing about it is, you throw out everything.”Redshirt freshman Drake Lindsay passed for four touchdowns in the loss to Northwestern, including three to Javon Tracy.
