For the first time in 23 years, the Wisconsin Badgers will finish a football season with a losing record. The Badgers (5-7) fell to Minnesota 24-7 at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, giving the Gophers (7-5) the rights to Paul Bunyan's Axe for the third time in the last four years.

The Minnesota-Wisconsin series is the most-played FBS rivalry, and a Gophers victory would enable them to tie the all-time series at 63-63-8. Since 1948, the winner of this game has gained possession of Paul Bunyan's Axe.

Wisconsin had a string of 22 consecutive bowl appearances and winning seasons. But the team needed a win to get to .500 and become bowl eligible.

Minnesota reclaimed Paul Bunyan's Axe Saturday afternoon with a 24-7 win against rival Wisconsin, earning its third victory in Madison since 2018 in the process. The Gophers also improved to an impressive 3-1 in their past four games against Wisconsin and secured seven wins for the third time in four years under coach P.

Unless you live in Big Ten country or are perennially interested in who possesses Paul Bunyan’s Axe, then Friday’s game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Minnesota Golden Gophers likely didn’t pop up on your radar.

Can the Badgers retain the Axe and earn a trip to a bowl game for the 23rd-consecutive season? The All Badgers staff make their predictions.

Minnesota defeated Wisconsin 24-7 on Friday to take back the Axe. Wisconsin's 22-year bowl streak has come to an end. The Badgers had the third longest active bowl