The Zeitgeist List · rivalries
Paul Bunyan's Axe
See both programs’ full 91-year Zeitgeist History, side by side →1 player crossed straight to the rival since 2021 — the turncoat ledger →
Wisconsin leads the all-time series 63–62–8. They've met 133 times since 1892. Wisconsin once took 14 straight.
Stature & the series, 1892–2025
Both programs’ standing over time in their colors, with every meeting beneath — read down to see who was bigger and who won.
all-time
62–63–8
Wisconsin leads
streak
2
Minnesota in a row
longest run
14
Wisconsin
biggest win
54
Minnesota, 1916
first met
1892
133 meetings
biggest crowd
80,341
2014
The coaching duels
Murray Warmath vs Milt Bruhn3–7–1
Glen Mason vs Barry Alvarez2–7
Cal Stoll vs John Jardine4–2
Joe Salem vs Dave McClain0–5
Jim Wacker vs Barry Alvarez2–3
The draft ledger
Every NFL Draft pick either program has produced since the modern era began, decade by decade.
draft picks
90–150
Wisconsin leads
1st-rounders
6–22
since
1967
first CFBD-carried draft class
1960s7–0
1970s18–8
1980s10–22
1990s6–20
2000s18–44
2010s12–37
2020s19–19
Best picks, either side
2007Joe Thomas Offensive TackleRd 1, pick 3#3 overall
1992Troy Vincent Defensive BackRd 1, pick 7#7 overall
1976Dennis Lick Offensive TackleRd 1, pick 8#8 overall
1985Al Toon Wide ReceiverRd 1, pick 10#10 overall
1985Richard Johnson Defensive BackRd 1, pick 11#11 overall
2000Ron Dayne Running BackRd 1, pick 11#11 overall
2011J.J. Watt Defensive EndRd 1, pick 11#11 overall
2002Wendell Bryant Defensive TackleRd 1, pick 12#12 overall
Recent meetings
2025Minnesota17–7
2024Minnesota24–7
2023Wisconsin28–14
2022Minnesota23–16
2021Minnesota23–13
2020Wisconsin20–17
2019Wisconsin38–17
2018Minnesota37–15
2017Wisconsin31–0
2016Wisconsin31–17
2015Wisconsin31–21
2014Wisconsin34–24
2013Wisconsin20–7
2012Wisconsin38–13