The Wisconsin Badgers got some good news on the scheduling front when their rivalry game against Minnesota got moved to a prime-time Friday night, NBC broadcast game. This game is arguably one of the top rivalry games in all of the Big Ten. Actually, correction, in all of college football, it already generates extra eyeballs. Now it will have millions tuning in as NBC will be airing it, and it’s on primetime.
🚨 UPDATED KICKOFF SLATE 🚨▫️Weeks 2 & 3 are now locked in 🔒▫️Battle for the Axe moves to Friday night 🪓 pic.twitter.com/FdYOZRHei9
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) May 27, 2026
Battle for the Axe is now on NBC primetime on Friday, November 27
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This clearly means that NBC is banking on this to be a good game. The expectations for both programs are on the rise, and the rivalry game is good even without winning seasons. Yet, both are projected to have six-win or better seasons. As it’s the final regular-season game of the year for the Badgers and the Golden Gophers, it could have some potential ramifications, too…