In the battle for Paul Bunyan's Ax 5-2 Wisconsin, now with the inside track on winning the Big Ten's Leaders Division, hosts 4-2 Minnesota Saturday afternoon at Camp Randall (noon ET, ESPNU).

The Badgers are coming off back-to-back convincing victories over Illinois and Purdue, and have won eight games in a row in the series vs. the Gophers, who just lost a tough game to Northwestern.



View Minnesota vs Wisconsin Odds and Stats.



Power Rankings / Prediction: The game pits the Badgers, currently No. 46 in our OddsShark NCAAF Power Rankings, against the Golden Gophers, who rate No. 56 in the latest survey. Meanwhile, math and handicapping models run on this game predict a 30-26 victory for the Badgers.



How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up Wisconsin's No. 77-ranked offense (26 PPG) against a Golden Gophers defense that ranks No. 31 at 19.8 PPG. The Badgers passing attack has averaged 192.9 yards per game, more than the Golden Gophers give up through the air (162.5 YPG on average).

In comparing defenses, the Golden Gophers own the league's No. 68-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 170.5 yards per game when on the road. Wisconsin, on the other hand, rates No. 63 this week in generating rushing yards at home.

Last time out for Minnesota, they were a 21-13 loser as they battled Northwestern at home. Minnesota failed to cover in the match as a 3-point underdog, while 34 combined points moved the game UNDER for totals bettors. The Golden Gophers suffered a Week 7 loss against Northwestern in their last game, falling 21-13 at TCF Bank Stadium.

Wisconsin was a 38-14 Sportsbook in its last match on the road against Purdue. They covered the 1-point spread as favorites, while the total score of 52 sent OVER bettors to the payout window. Montee Ball ran through the Purdue defense for 247 yards in Wisconsin's last game, handing the Boilermakers a 38-14 setback on Saturday at Ross-Ade Stadium.


Minnesota Golden Gophers Trends:
When playing in October are 1-9
When playing on turf are 6-4
After outgaining opponent are 4-6
When playing within the conference are 2-8

Wisconsin Badgers Trends:
When playing in October are 7-3
When playing on turf are 8-2
After outgaining opponent are 6-4
When playing within the conference are 7-3

A few Golden Gophers at Badgers trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 5 games when playing on the road against Wisconsin
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Minnesota's last 12 games when playing Wisconsin
Minnesota is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games on the road
Wisconsin is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Wisconsin is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
Wisconsin is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Wisconsin's last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota


Next up:
Minnesota home to Purdue, Saturday, October 27
Wisconsin home to Michigan State, Saturday, October 27