ESPN College Football

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

The war metaphor is overused in sports, but it seems to suit the Minnesota-Wisconsin rivalry.

Consider the prize, or the spoils, awarded to the game's winner: a giant axe with a 6-foot wooden handle. Wisconsin currently keeps Paul Bunyan's Axe in its locker room after beating Minnesota each of the last four seasons.

"It's in a pretty big box," Wisconsin wide receiver David Gilreath said. "It's pretty big, so no one messes with it."

And then there was last year's game, a 41-34 Badgers win at the Metrodome. Normally composed Gophers wide receiver Eric Decker punched Wisconsin cornerback Jack Ikegwuonu in the groin during the second quarter, one of several chippy moments in the contest.

When it ended, Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema did his best William Wallace impression, charging across the field to briefly shake hands with his Minnesota counterpart Tim Brewster before joining his players in celebration. Some saw Bielema's sprint as a response to Minnesota players saying they wanted to make a run for the axe after beating the Badgers.

After the game, Bielema uttered the now-famous line: "You want a rivalry? You got one."

"He looked like a linebacker, but I think he was a defensive lineman at Iowa," Brewster said of Bielema's dash. "It's a great game. I love the rivalry of the game, and there's a lot of emotion to it. Bret had some fun with it."

Minnesota defensive end Willie VanDeSteeg has heard rumors that the Badgers want to make another charge across the field Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium (ABC, 3:30 p.m.).

"They say they're going to put the axe on our sideline, so they can rush our sideline," VanDeSteeg said. "I've heard a lot of stories. It's motivation, and it's on both sides, putting fuel on the fire. It's going to be an interesting game and a lot of fun to play in."

Several factors add to the annual rivalry, the longest in FBS at 117 games. The teams hail from bordering states, and both rosters include players who have crossed over (the Badgers have seven Minnesotans; the Gophers have 12 Wisconsinites).

Wisconsin has been fairly successful recruiting players from Minnesota, and the Star Tribune reported that Bielema once said in a radio interview that he could recruit any Minnesota prep prospect he desired. Brewster has been a successful recruiter both within the state and nationally, so there's certainly some tension there.

"You lose friendships or cause more hard feelings during recruiting than any game day," Bielema said Monday.

Wisconsin left tackle Gabe Carimi called Minnesota his "most despised team." Gilreath, who grew up in suburban Minneapolis and originally committed to play for Minnesota, doesn't go quite as far.

"I don't have much hate for 'em," he said, "but there's no team I would rather play than the Gophers."

Gilreath said there's a video playing in Wisconsin's locker room this week showing highlights from the Minnesota series, particularly the winning team carrying Paul Bunyan's Axe off the field. Carimi's quote and others like it have found their way to Minnesota's bulletin board.

"That's the kind of stuff that's on our board, that they don't like us and they say they hate us," VanDeSteeg said. "I'm kind of a spiritual man, so I try not to say the hate word. But a lot of people have strong feelings. We'll have to match their tempo or they'll have to match ours."

Brewster declared Wisconsin as Minnesota's top rival, and Gilreath acknowledged the feeling is more or less mutual. Saturday's game has added meaning, given where both teams are in the postseason picture.

Minnesota comes in at 7-3 but can improve its bowl prospects with a victory. Wisconsin needs another win to become bowl eligible and would make itself more attractive to bowl games by avoiding a 2-6 conference record.

Saturday's forecast for Madison -- snow showers, wind and a high of 34 degrees -- should only enhance the game's appeal.

"This is what you play football for and this is what you coach football for," said VanDeSteeg, who has never been on the field when Minnesota beat Wisconsin. "These are the games. They're exciting and they're fun to play in. The atmosphere is going to be great. It should be one of those Minnesota-Wisconsin games where it's going to be cold.

"I just can't wait."