by Everyone knows that college football is a sport based on tradition, culture, and history. It wouldn’t be the same without the rivalries that make the game so special. So, in honor of rivalry week, here are my rankings for the coolest and most iconic rivalry game trophies. Let me know what I missed in the comments below!
Honorable Mentions:
Territorial Cup (Arizona vs Arizona State)
The Illibuck TROPHY (Illinois vs Ohio State)
The Troll (Concordia-Moorhead (Minn.) vs St. Olaf (Minn.))
The Iron Skillet (SMU vs TCU)
The Golden Boot (LSU vs Arkansas)… could also include The Bronze Boot (Colorado State vs Wyoming).
15. Cortaca Jug (Ithaca vs SUNY Cortland)
Not well known because it’s a trophy shared between two small Division III teams. As an Ithaca alum, this is an obvious homer pick but it is so historic. “The Biggest Little Game in America” is a huge deal to upstate New Yorkers and has been around for DECADES.
14. Blue Ridge Border Battle Trophy (Western Carolina vs ETSU)
A rivalry that represents the spirit of mountain country in the heart of the south. Atop the trophy is a rock taken from the Appalachian Trail right on the North Carolina-Tennessee border.
13. Fremont Cannon (UNLV vs Nevada)
This thing of beauty weighs 545 pounds and has been around for nearly six decades.
12. The Victory Bell (UCLA vs USC)
A sweet-looking trophy that embodies the sexiest uniform matchup in the sport. At least conference realignment won’t discontinue this one.
11. The Keg of Nails (Cincinnati vs Louisville)
This rivalry discontinued when these two programs both split from the Big East, but it’s too cool of a trophy. One can even argue this being ranked too low on the list.
10. Old Oaken Bucket (Indiana vs Purdue)
This legit oak bucket has been used as a rivalry trophy since 1925 and legend has it that it was even used in Indiana during the Civil War. Hell yes.
9. Black Diamond Trophy (West virginia vs virginia tech)
Perhaps the most underrated trophy on this list. It just sucks that there’s only been three meetings between these two border rivals since 2005.
8. Golden Hat (Texas vs Oklahoma)
I didn’t know where to rank this trophy on the list but I know I had to include it somewhere. A top-five college football rivalry with a trophy that screams Wild West.
7. Chief Caddo (Northwestern State vs Stephen F. Austin)
An FCS matchup that is filled with Native American history and has perhaps the most unique trophy on this list.
6. The Golden Egg (Ole Miss vs Mississippi State)
The Egg Bowl trophy is so iconic and a staple to Thanksgiving night football.
5. Little Brown Jug (Michigan vs Minnesota)
The OG of rivalry trophies and it’s a shame these two don’t play every year anymore.
4. Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy (Air Force vs. Navy vs. Army)
No explanation needed.
3. Land Grant Trophy (Penn state vs Michigan state)
Damn this is beautiful.
2. Floyd of Rosedale Trophy (Iowa vs Minnesota)
You could argue this one taking the cake and being the best in college football, but No. 1 is more iconic in my opinion. Minnesota is a magnet for sick trophies.
- Paul Bunyan’s Axe (Minnesota vs Wisconsin)
So frickin goated. I just realized that this is literally a Minnesota list, but who cares. College football is the best.