MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Minnesota's first season under Tim Brewster has been entirely forgettable.
Nine straight losses have put the Gophers (1-10, 0-7 Big Ten) in position for their worst record since 1983 and made life miserable for 16 seniors who were hoping to end their college careers on a high note.
There's only one thing left that could make this year worth remembering for Minnesota -- taking Paul Bunyan's Axe back from their border rivals from Wisconsin.
"It would speak volumes as far as the determination of my class, this team, the young guys and really the future of this program," senior linebacker Mike Sherels said. "A win in this game would be great for the perseverance of this team and the coaching staff."
The 24th-ranked Badgers (8-3, 4-3) have taken the prized trophy 10 of the last 12 games, including three in a row. They've won it in dominating fashion -- last year's 48-12 pasting at Camp Randall -- and in a way that was hard to believe, when Jonathan Casillas blocked Justin Kucek's punt in the end zone two years ago.
Badgers coach Brett Bielema knows nobody remembers how they get their hands on the Axe. All that matters is that it stays in Madison year after year.
The coach remembered taking a trip to Eau Claire, almost halfway between the Twin Cities and Madison, in the summer and bringing the Axe and the trophy from the Badgers' Capital One Bowl victory with him as he visited with fans.
"There was about 10 to one to take a picture with the axe than there was the Capital One, so that made a huge statement to me right there as well, how important it is to the people of the state," Bielema said. "And obviously, when it's in our possession, it's a big, big deal because it represents a victory."
It's the oldest rivalry in major college football. There is no conference title on the line this time. Neither team is teetering on the brink of bowl eligibility. That just might make this game bigger than ever.
"Everything's looking real good," Wisconsin tackle Gabe Carmini said. "We're going to go into Minnesota and we're going to keep that axe."
It's been a nightmare from the start in Minneapolis, when the Gophers lost their season opener at the Dome to Bowling Green from the Mid-American Conference. After escaping with a triple-overtime victory over Miami of Ohio the next week, the Gophers have known nothing but losing the rest of the way.
Another blowout in front of the home fans would be devastating for the Gophers, who have consistently lost some of the state's top talent to their archrivals.
"We've lost a lot of good football players that are playing well over there," said Gophers quarterback Adam Weber, who played at Mounds View High School. "But hopefully if kids are watching this game they'll see Minnesota is a very good option and this program is going to be very, very successful in the near future."
The Badgers come in as heavy favorites, meaning a loss in this game would be an embarrassing end to a season that began with such high expectations.
Wisconsin won its first five games, but injuries played a big part in losses to Illinois, Penn State and Ohio State and ultimately dashed the Badgers' Big Ten title aspirations.
"It's been a rough year for us, up and down," Badgers cornerback Jack Ikegwuono said. "We haven't really had Lady Luck on our side in a few of the games. Preseason, all that stuff, he haven't really technically lived up to the preseason hype that we had."
Now they come into the Metrodome against an inferior opponent, and Bielema wants to make sure they don't take the woeful Gophers lightly.
"I'm sure we're going to get their best effort of the year," Bielema said.