Another notch on Paul Bunyan's Axe will likely not be made this year after the University of Minnesota canceled its annual trophy game against Wisconsin. 

The rising number of COVID-positive tests on the Gophers squad forced the hands of the University of Minnesota and its athletic department. The Badgers were in a similar situation just a few weeks ago when it had two of its games canceled due to its own issues with positive COVID-19 tests. It could be the first time the annual game has not been played since 1906 when the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports UW faculty protested the matchup because of new league rules. The rivalry game dates back to 1890 and had played uninterrupted since 1907. 

Unless another Big Ten team is forced to cancel their game due to COVID-19 to open up a different opponent for the Badgers, their hopes for the Big Ten championship game will be dashed. The Big Ten said you must play at least six games to be eligible, something the Badgers will be unable to do if nothing else changes.