WI, MN governors bet on football games

With a pair of Wisconsin-Minnesota football rivalries to be renewed this weekend, the governors of both states have made bets on the outcomes of the games.

Saturday, the Wisconsin Badgers will play the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the first Big Ten Conference game at TCF Bank Stadium . Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle wagered Usinger’s sausage and Carr Valley cheeses against Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty ’s bet of Hormel pork tenderloin and Minnesota wild rice. The game will be the 119th meeting between the two schools, the most-played rivalry in major college football. The winning team also takes home Paul Bunyan’s Axe , which the Badgers have held since 2004.

Monday night, the Green Bay Packers will play the Minnesota Vikings and former teammate Brett Favre in an NFC North matchup at the Metrodome . The governors have bet a selection of beers from their respective states.

"Of course there are many deep, important reasons why Wisconsin will be counting on the Badgers and the Packers to win, but not least among them is that we're all intrigued by what 'Minnesota beer' might be," Doyle said in a news release. "This is a great and exciting rivalry and I'm sure all the Badgers and current Packers will be up to the task."

"In addition to two Minnesota victories, state officials will be on hand to welcome thousands of Wisconsinites who will likely decide to defect to Minnesota," Pawlenty said in a news release. "Between a Gopher win at the new on-campus stadium and another great performance from Brett Favre, it's going to be an excellent few days in the land of Purple and Gold."