Badgers favored over Gophers for Big Ten West title showdown

The early betting lines have Wisconsin favored by a field goal over Minnesota.

November 25, 2019 at 4:57AM
After 15 years Minnesota took back the Paul Bunyan's Axe after they defeated Wisconsin 37-15 at Camp Randall Stadium, Saturday, November 24, 2018 in Madison, Wis. It's the 128th meeting between the two teams. ] ELIZABETH FLORES • liz.flores@startribune.com
The Gophers celebrated after defeating Wisconsin 37-15 last year in Madison. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The Gophers might have the higher ranking, home-field advantage and a better record, but oddsmakers see them as underdogs for Saturday's showdown against Wisconsin.

According to Oddshark.com, the early lines have the Badgers favored by either three points or 2-1/2.

The Badgers are 5-0 all-time at TCF Bank Stadium and had a 14-game winning streak against the Gophers before Minnesota finally reclaimed Paul Bunyan's Axe last November in Madison.

This game is back in Minneapolis and will determine the Big Ten West champion.

The Gophers (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten) are ranked No. 9 in the latest AP poll, and the Badgers (9-2, 6-2) are No. 13.

Wisconsin's two losses have come against Illinois and Ohio State. Minnesota's lone loss came at Iowa.

JOE CHRISTENSEN

about the writer

about the writer

Joe Christensen

Sports team leader

Joe Christensen, a Minnesota Star Tribune sports team leader, graduated from the University of Minnesota and spent 15 years covering Major League Baseball, including stops at the Riverside Press-Enterprise and Baltimore Sun. He joined the Minnesota Star Tribune in 2005 and spent four years covering Gophers football.

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