This Saturday we are LIVE from the Minnesota Fieldhouse to see the Minnesota Gophers host the Wisconsin Badgers in the second annual indoor track and field border clash! WE'RE DUALING!

Heading into last year's Dual, which in 2015 was resurrected for the first time since the late 70's, Wisconsin Head Coach Mick Byrne had strong feelings about the rivalry between the two schools.

It's about pure competition. It's not about times or distances or heights. We have to teach our kids that. It's about beating your competitor.

This year will showcase Minnesota's NCAA Champion Luca Wieland, All-Americans Goaner Deng running the 800m and Gian Ferretti competing in the weight throw. Wisconsin heavy hitters include 2015 Big Ten 1500m Champ Joe Hardy in the men's mile, as well as three-time All-American Malachy Schrobilgen in 3,000m.



But the MAIN event will be the women who dominate multiple events - All-Americans Jess Lehman (Minnesota) and Georgia Ellenwood (Wisconsin) will take to the track for what could easily be an early NCAA Indoor Championship showdown!

For those of you who don’t live in the upper midwestern part of the country - this is a HUGE university rivalry that extends much further back than just this dual.

A few reasons these schools decided to renew their rivalry are laid out below:

1. Paul Bunyan’s Axe
As the most-played rivalry in NCAA D1 college football (dating back to 1890), Minnesota and Wisconsin meet every fall to play for the honor of winning Paul Bunyan’s Axe - One of the coolest trophies in all of history, only maybe following the original trophy that disappeared back in 1943 - the Slab of Bacon Trophy.

2. The Border Battle
Being so close to the Canadian border, there’s no doubt that these two states like their hockey. The Badgers and Gophers have played each other over 250 times, with the Gophers leading the series winning 161 of those games. And the Badgers aren’t too terribly happy about that.

3. Goldy vs. Bucky



Enough said.

4. Beautiful Geography
Minnesota has over 10,000 lakes. Wisconsin has 2 Great Lakes.

Classic quantity vs. quality situation.

5. Food That Is Often Defined As "Fast"
Minnesota has Dairy Queen. Wisconsin has Culver’s. You really can't go wrong either way. Unless you look at the nutritional facts. Then you could go wrong. Don't do that.

6. Spring Break Destinations
Minnesota has the Mall of America where you could literally shop until you are broke and get lost for days simultaneously. Wisconsin has the Wisconsin Dells, home to some of the best miniature golf courses in the country (believe the 13-year-old me when I tell you this, as I may or may not hold a course record at Noah's Ark).

7. Brett Favre
Minnesota Brett was the one who set the record for most consecutive games started. Wisconsin Brett won a Super Bowl. This one is still a coin toss.

Whatever you do, tune in to the Minnesota/Wisconsin Dual this Saturday LIVE on FloTrack to see which state wins this year's bragging rights!