Top 10 Greatest MWC Football Rivalries

1. Boise State vs Fresno State (Milk Can)

Boise State and Fresno state have a long standing rivalry that goes back to when both of these schools were members of the WAC. One of the most famous games in this series occurred in 2001 when the Broncos first entered the WAC and knocked off #8 Fresno State 35-30. Today when these two teams bud heads the winner receives the Milk Can in addition to bragging rights over their rival. Boise State leads the all-time series 13-5 and has won four of the last five meetings including the 2014 Mountain West Championship Game.

2. Colorado State vs Wyoming (Border War)

Colorado State and Wyoming have a long-running rivalry that dates back all the way to 1899 when the Rams shutout the Cowboys 12-0. The rivalry saw the addition of the Bronze Boot in 1968, which was started by the ROTC detachments of the two schools. Outside of the Colorado Buffaloes, Wyoming is probably Colorado State’s biggest rival, so make sure to be in attendance for this game if possible.

3. San Diego State vs Fresno State (Battle for the Oil Can)

Fresno State and San Diego State have been going at it on the gridiron since 1923 when San Diego State took down the Bulldogs 12-2. The series has been off and on between these two schools as they have been in and out of the same conference several times. The Oil Can trophy was added to the series in 2011 and allows one team to have bragging rights over the other. The Battle for the Oil Can is San Diego State’s biggest games of the year, so make sure to be in attendance when the Aztecs battle the Bulldogs for the Oil Can.

4. Colorado State vs Air Force (Ram-Falcon Trophy)

When Air Force and Colorado State meet the victor walks away with the Ram-Falcon Trophy. The trophy dated back to 1980 and was created by former Colorado State ROTC commander Shelly Godkin. Air Force leads the all-time series between these Colorado-based schools 32-20-1, but the Rams will look to put a dent in that gap the next time these two schools meet.

5. Air Force vs Hawaii (Kuter Trophy)

This trophy named after General Lawrence S. Kuter, who was the first head of the Pacific Air Forces Command, is awarded to the winner when Air Force plays Hawaii. These two teams only meet periodically, so you don’t want to miss it when these two rivals square off.

6. Nevada vs UNLV (Battle of Nevada)

There is no love lost between Nevada and instate rivals UNLV, as these two teams have had a profound hatred for each other since they first met in 1969. Each time these teams have met since 1970 the winner of the game has walked away with the Fremont Cannon, which was introduced by Nevada alum and UNLV’s first football coach Bill Ireland. Over the years this rivalry has taken a bit of a backseat to others due to the two teams not being in the same conference. However since Nevada joined the Mountain West in 2012, the rivalry has picked up again.

7. Utah State vs Wyoming (Bridger’s Battle)

The rivalry between Utah State and Wyoming dates back to 1903 when Aggies shutout Wyoming 46-0. The rivalry has grown since then, and in 2013 it was named Bridger’s Battle with the winner taking home a .50 caliber Rocky Mountain Hawken rifle. The Aggies lead the all-time series 37-24-4 and will look to extend their lead when these two teams square off this season.

8. Nevada vs Boise State

Nevada’s rivalry with Boise State is one of their longest-running rivalries, as the two schools have met every year since 1971 with few exceptions. The rivalry goes back all the way to when both of these schools were D1-AA meaning there is a lot of history between these two teams. One of Nevada’s biggest wins in the series occurred in 2010 when the Wolf Pack knocked off the Broncos 34-31 costing them a bid to the Rose Bowl. There have been many fierce battles between these two teams, so you should expect a good game when these two foes clash.

9. Hawaii vs Wyoming (Paniolo Trophy)

Hawaii and Wyoming play for the Paniolo Trophy when these to Mountain West rivals clash. The trophy gets its name from the Hawaiian word for cowboy and has been contested since 1978 when these two schools first met.

10. Hawaii vs Fresno State

The rivalry between Fresno State and Hawaii is a fairly new one. However, there seems to be a lot of bad blood here especially among the fans. Both teams have performed well on the field lately, and there have been several incidents of coaches and fans accusing the other team of bad sportsmanship.