GAME NOTES: The 24th-ranked Wisconsin Badgers and the Minnesota Golden Gophers meet for the 117th time, as they do battle in Big Ten play at the Metrodome this weekend. The Badgers were finally able to post a signature win last weekend, as they knocked off nationally-ranked Michigan 37-21. It was the team's 14th straight home win, marking the third longest such streak in school history. With the triumph, Wisconsin also improved to 8-3 overall, leaving it just one victory shy of its school-record fourth consecutive season with at least nine wins. As for Minnesota, its dreadful campaign continued last weekend with a 21-16 setback at Iowa. It was the squad's ninth consecutive defeat, marking the third longest current losing streak in the nation. The Gophers have dropped all seven of their league games this season, and their lone win in 11 overall outings came against Miami-Ohio all the way back on September 8th. On a positive note, Minnesota does own a 59-49-8 edge in the all-time series with Wisconsin that dates to 1890. This is the most played rivalry at the Football Bowl Subdivision level, and since 1948, the two schools have been playing for possession of Paul Bunyan's Axe. Over the years, Wisconsin has won the coveted axe 33 times and the Gophers 23 times. There has also been three ties during that span.

The Badgers feature a balanced attack on offense and that has helped the team to averaging a solid 29.5 ppg. Wisconsin is rushing for 190.3 ypg and passing for 221.0 ypg, with 24 of its 39 offensive touchdowns coming via the run. Last weekend, Wisconsin used 232 rushing yards and 245 passing to defeat Michigan 37-21. Making just his second career start, Zach Brown rushed for 108 yards and two scores on 27 carries. It was a great effort by Brown, who saw the lion's share of the carries with regular starter P.J. Hill nursing a leg injury. Hill did play last weekend, but he carried just five times for 14 yards. Hill is listed as probable for this weekend's game and that is good news considering he leads the team with 1,080 rushing yards and 14 scores in 10 games. Quarterback Tyler Donovan also played a big role in last weekend's win, as he threw for 245 yards and a score, in addition to rushing for 49 yards and another touchdown. On the season, Donovan has played a part in the team's ground game, rushing for 289 yards, but he has been more effective with his arm, passing for 212.5 ypg and 15 scores. Travis Beckum has clearly been his go-to-guy, as he leads the team with 68 catches, 871 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Last weekend, Beckum pulled down six balls that went for 106 yards and a score.

Defensively, Wisconsin is not dominant by any stretch of the imagination, but this unit has done a respectable job in holding opponents to 22.4 ypg and 336.7 total ypg. The Badgers have fared well against the pass (197.8 ypg) this year, but they could stand to force a few more turnovers, generating just 15 thus far. Last weekend however, Wisconsin did show improvement in the turnover department, intercepting Michigan three times. The defense limited Michigan to just 320 total yards, including only 47 on the ground. Shane Carter accounted for two interceptions in the game and he is now tied for second in the nation with six picks for the year. Jonathan Casillas added seven tackles and a sack to the mix and is tops on the club with 79 stops for the season.

The Gophers haven't be all that bad on offense this season, although they haven't really helped themselves by committing 26 turnovers, including 17 interceptions. Still, the team has been able to produce a decent 25.5 ppg behind a solid 399.0 total ypg. Last weekend though, Minnesota was limited to just 315 yards of total offense in a 21-16 setback to Iowa. Quarterback Adam Weber paced the team, which committed just one turnover, with 70 rushing yards and 190 passing. He completed 24-of-41 tosses with one touchdown and an interception. Despite throwing 17 picks this season, Weber has really put together a solid campaign, as he has thrown for 2,543 yards and 21 touchdowns, in addition to rushing for 530 yards and five more scores. Eric Decker and Ernie Wheelwright have formed a nice one-two punch in the passing game and they have combined for 120 catches, 1,467 receiving yards and 16 scores. Neither player was much of a factor against Iowa, although Decker did haul in a 22-yard touchdown pass late in the game.

Minnesota's biggest problem this season has been its defense, as the team is allowing a whopping 36.4 ppg and an eye-popping 525.5 total ypg. The defense has been torched on the ground (220.6 ypg) and through the air (304.9 ypg), and it has recorded just 10 sacks and only 13 turnovers. In last weekend's loss however, the Gophers did put forth a great effort on defense, as they held Iowa to a mere 296 total yards. The defense didn't allow a point in the second half of the 21-16 loss and it even came up with three sacks. Dominique Barber finished with six stops in the setback and he now has a team-high 91 tackles for the season.

Wisconsin is clearly the pick here, as Minnesota hasn't shown it can stop any on defense on a consistent basis. Behind their balanced attack, expect the Badgers to score early and often en route to the victory.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Wisconsin 40, Minnesota 27