The University of Minnesota first fielded a football team in 1882, making it one of the oldest programs in college football. One of the dominant teams of the 1930s, the Golden Gophers claim seven national championships, 18 conference titles and one Heisman Trophy winner (Bruce P. Smith, 1941). Of all the historic rivalries in college football, the annual Minnesota-Wisconsin tilt is the oldest. Since playing their first contest in 1890, the two teams have met ever year with the Golden Gophers holding a slight overall edge with the annual winner receiving the coveted Paul Bunyan Axe. The Jerry Kill Era Though the Golden Gophers have played in 10 Bowl Games since 1999, any Big Ten program measures itself by Rose Bowl bids (and BCS games more recently) and Minnesota hasn’t been to Pasadena for a New Year’s Day game since 1962. The passionate, knowledgeable Golden Gopher fan base is ready for a return to the national spotlight. Entering Jerry Kill’s third season at the helm, the Golden Gophers figure to show improvement in all phases but the sledding won’t be easy in the loaded Legends Division of the Big Ten. With division foes Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska and Northwestern all surging, Minnesota will have to play near perfect ball in order to contend for the crown and try to get into position to play for the Rose Bowl. Sophomore QB Philip Nelson is back at the helm after cutting his teeth over the last seven games of 2012. Donnell Kirkwood, the powerful senior RB, has a chance to be one of the most productive in the Big Ten. TCF Bank Stadium After many years playing at the Metrodome, college football is back on campus at the University of Minnesota. With the opening of TCF Bank Stadium (lovingly referred to as “The Gopher Hole”) in 2009, the Gophers have one of the best new venues in all of sports. Get into ScoreBig.com today for guaranteed savings on Minnesota Golden Gophers football tickets. Enjoy an awesome tailgate scene on the University’s campus and then head into “The Bank” to watch the Golden Gophers take on some of the best competition in the country.