Top 50 Rivalry Trophies
1. Paul Bunyan’s Axe (Minnesota vs. Wisconsin)
Each year the Minnesota Golden Gophers play the Wisconsin Badgers for Paul Bunyan’s Axe. The rivalry began in 1890 when the Gophers crushed the Badgers 63-0 and is the most played rivalry in FBS history. The two schools had played for the Axe every year since 1948 when it replaced the Slab of Bacon, which was stolen by Wisconsin in 1943.
2. Golden Hat (Texas vs. Oklahoma)
The winner of the annual Red River Rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma walks away with the Golden Hat as well as bragging rights. The trophy was introduced by the Texas State Fair in 1941 as a way to thank the two schools for playing their rivalry game in Dallas during the fair.
3. Jeweled Shillelagh (Notre Dame vs. USC)
The Notre Dame and USC rivalry feature two of the most decorated college football programs, as these two schools have combined for 22 national championships. The Jeweled Shillelagh was added to the rivalry in 1952, and Notre Dame leads the all-time series 46-36-5.
4. Floyd of Rosedale (Minnesota vs. Iowa)
Floyd of Rosedale is awarded to the winner of the annual Minnesota-Iowa football game. The trophy dates back to 1935 when Minnesota Governor Floyd Olson made a bet with Iowa Governor Clyde L. Herring of a prize pig. The Gophers won 13-6, and Herring personally delivered Floyd of Rosedale to Olson.
5. Old Oaken Bucket (Purdue vs. Indiana)
Purdue and Indiana have been competing for the Old Oaken Bucket since 1925. The Chicago alumni chapters of both schools created the trophy and a new I or P link is added to the chain depending on who wins the matchup.
6. Victory Bell (USC vs. UCLA)
The winner of the annual USC-UCLA matchup has been awarded the Victory Bell since 1941 when Trojan fans stole the bell from UCLA. Today the bell is painted in either red or blue depending on which school last won the bell.
7. Keg of Nails (Cincinnati vs. Louisville)
This traveling trophy has been awarded to the winner of every Louisville vs. Cincinnati football game since 1929 when the Bearcats beat the Cardinals 7-0. It is one of the Cardinals and Bearcats oldest rivalries and has spanned over four conferences throughout its history.
8. Bronze Boot (Colorado State vs. Wyoming)
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 ROTC detachments of the two schools added the Bronze Boot to the rivalry in 1968.
9. Territorial Cup (Arizona vs. Arizona State)
The Territorial Cup is awarded annually to the winner of the Arizona-Arizona State game. These two instate rivals have been fighting for the Territorial Cup since 1899 making it the oldest rivalry trophy in the NCAA.
10. Platypus Trophy (Oregon vs. Oregon State)
The rivalry between Oregon and Oregon State is one of the oldest in college football, as the teams have met 119 times since 1894. The winner of each year’s matchup takes home the Platypus Trophy, which was lost for 40 years until it was found in 2005.
11. Little Brown Jug (Minnesota vs. Michigan)
The Gophers and Wolverines play for the Little Brown Jug when they meet. The two teams first met in 1892 when Minnesota took down Michigan 14-6. However, the Little Brown Jug didn’t enter the equation until 1903. Michigan head coach Fielding H. Yost was afraid the Gophers might contaminate the Wolverines’ water, so he had a student manager buy a 5-gallon jug. The game was called early due to severe weather and the jug got left behind. Ever since then the winner of this contest has been awarded the Little Brown Jug.
12. James E. Foy, V-ODK Sportsmanship Trophy (Alabama vs. Auburn)
The FOY-ODK Sportsmanship Trophy is awarded to the Iron Bowl winner between Alabama and Auburn. The trophy dates back to 1948 and is named after former Auburn and Alabama Dean James E. Foy.
13. Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy (Army vs. Navy vs. Air Force)
The Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy is awarded to the winner of the three-way rivalry between Army, Navy, and Air Force. The trophy was introduced in 1972 when Air Force began playing Army and Navy on an annual basis and is one of only a handful of three-way trophies.
14. Stanford Axe (Stanford vs. Cal)
The Stanford Axe has been stolen back and forth between Stanford and Cal several times and today is awarded to the winner of the annual football game between the two schools since 1933.
15. Magnolia Bowl Trophy (LSU vs. Ole Miss)
The traditional SEC rivalry between Louisiana State University and Ole Miss is referred to as the Magnolia Bowl and is most often the second to last regular season game for both schools. Throughout the fifties and sixties, each matchup seemed to hold a conference or even national title implications, and the rivalry is still going strong between these two programs.
16. Paul Bunyan Trophy (Michigan vs. Michigan State)
The four foot tall Paul Bunyan Trophy symbolizes Michigan’s strong lumber-producing history and is awarded to the winner of the annual Michigan-Michigan State game. It was introduced in 1953 but took a while to become recognized by both schools since the Wolverines neglected the trophy following their wins in 1954 and 1955.
17. Purdue Cannon (Purdue vs. Illinois)
The Purdue Cannon is presented to the winner when Illinois takes on Purdue. The trophy dates back to an incident in 1905 when a group of Purdue students brought the canon to U of I in hopes of firing it off after a victory, only to get it confiscated.
18. Golden Boot (Arkansas vs. LSU)
The winner of the matchup between Arkansas and LSU is awarded the Golden Boot, a 24-karat gold trophy in the shape of the two states. Although the rivalry is not the most heated, there have been many spectacular moments in this series including Arkansas beating top-ranked LSU in triple overtime in 2007.
19. Golden Egg (Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State)
Every year the Rebels play their archrivals Mississippi State for the Golden Egg. This rivalry began when Mississippi State had to protect their goal posts with wooden chairs from Ole Miss fans. These two teams clash every year for the grand prize of being the Golden Egg.
20. Fremont Cannon (Nevada vs. UNLV)
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.
21. Megaphone Trophy (Notre Dame vs. Michigan State)
While the Notre Dame-Michigan State rivalry dates back to 1897, these two schools didn’t start playing for The Megaphone Trophy until 1949. Since then these two schools have met in many big matches with the 1966 game being the most memorable.
22. Cy-Hawk Trophy (Iowa vs. Iowa State)
Arguably the biggest in-state collegiate football rivalry, the Iowa State – Iowa game is one of the largest tailgating events of the season. Each year the winner of the game takes home the Cy-Hawk trophy, which was first presented in 1977.
23. Wagon Wheel (Kent State vs. Akron)
Akron and Kent State are only 10 miles apart creating a fierce rivalry between these two schools from northeast Ohio. The rivalry began in 1923 when the Zips shutout Kent State 32-0, but the Wagon Wheel trophy wasn’t added to the rivalry until 1946.
24. Illibuck (Illinois vs. Ohio State)
The winner of the rivalry game between Illinois and Ohio State receives the Illibuck trophy; a wooden replica of a once live turtle with the series results etched into its back. The trophy dates back to 1925 and is maintained by the two junior honor societies, Illinois’s Atius-Sachem and Ohio State’s Bucket and Dipper.
25. Oil Can (Fresno State vs. San Diego State)
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.
26. O’Rourke-McFadden Trophy (Boston College vs. Clemson)
Clemson and Boston College are relatively new rivals as the two did not meet yearly until 2005 when BC joined the ACC. The rivalry has gotten more intense over the years, though, as in 2008 the O’Rourke-McFadden Trophy was introduced. The trophy was created by Boston College’s Gridiron Club and honors the relationship between the two programs, which dates back to the 1940 Cotton Bowl Classic.
27. Bedlam Bell (Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State)
OU and OSU have been competing on the gridiron since 1904 and although OU holds a substantial lead in the all-time series the rivalry is still strong between these two schools. The winner of the annual matchup also gets to take home the Bedlam Bell in addition to bragging rights.
28. Frank Leahy Memorial Bowl (Boston College vs. Notre Dame)
The Boston College-Notre Dame rivalry is dubbed the Holy War due to these two teams being the only Catholic schools in the FBS. The series started in 1975 when Notre Dame beat Boston College 17-3, and the bad blood has continued ever since.
29. Victory Bell (Miami (OH) vs. Cincinnati)
The Miami RedHawks are the Bearcats’ oldest rivals having played them in the first ever college football game played in Ohio back in 1888. The winner of the matchup between these two Buckeye State rivals has been taking home the Victory Bell since the 1890s, which started when some Bearcats fans “borrowed” the bell from Miami.
30. Paniolo Trophy (Wyoming vs. Hawaii)
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.
31. Ram-Falcon Trophy (Colorado State vs. Air Force)
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.
32. Legends Trophy (Notre Dame vs. Stanford)
Stanford and Notre Dame first played in 1925. However, it wasn’t until relatively recently that an intense rivalry emerged between these two institutions. Things heated up in 1989 when The Legends Trophy was added in 1989, and the two schools have met every year since 1997.
33. The Saddle (TCU vs. Texas Tech)
The Red Raider’s rivalry with the Horned Frogs dates back to 1926 when TCU took down Tech 28-16. The rivalry was dormant for a few years after the Southwest Conference broke up in 1995, however, with TCU joining the Big 12 in 2012 the rivalry has picked up right where it left off.
34. Okefenokee Oar (Florida vs. Georgia)
The winner of the “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” has taken home the Okefenokee Oar since 2009. The oar is ten ft long and features logos and symbols from each school carved onto it.
35. Old Brass Spittoon (Indiana vs. Michigan State)
The Old Brass Spittoon was introduced to the Indiana-Michigan State rivalry in 1950. The rivalry was renewed as an annual contest in 2014, and you can look forward to this trophy changing hands many times in the coming years.
36. Chancellor’s Spurs (Texas vs. Texas Tech)
The winner of the annual Texas Tech – Texas game receives the Chancellor’s Spurs. The rivalry between these schools dates back to 1928 when the Longhorns shut out the Tech 12-0.
37. Apple Cup (Washington vs. Washington State)
Washington and Washington State play annually for the Apple Cup. The rivalry began in 1900 when the Huskies and Cougars tied five all in Seattle. The two teams started playing every year in 1946 with odd years being played in Seattle and even years in Pullman.
38. Silver Spade (UTEP vs. New Mexico State)
UTEP and New Mexico State are both located along Interstate 10, which connects El Paso to Las Cruces. The proximity of these two universities has led to the establishment of a fierce rivalry on the gridiron that dates back 101 years to 1914 when the Aggies shutout UTEP 19-0. The winner of the Battle of I-10 has taken home the Silver Spade since 1955.
39. $5 Bits of Broken Chair Trophy (Minnesota vs. Nebraska)
The $5 Bits of Broken Chair Trophy was added to the Minnesota-Nebraska rivalry in 2014. The trophy is the first traveling trophy created over the internet and came as a result of Twitter banter between Goldy Gopher and a parody account for former Nebraska head coach Bo Pellini, “Faux Pellini.”
40. Land of Lincoln Trophy (Illinois vs. Northwestern)
Northwestern and Illinois play each season for the Land of Lincoln Trophy and have been playing annually since 1927. The intrastate rivalry has blossomed due to the proximity of the two schools, which makes for a great game as many fans will travel to the opposing school for this match up.
41. Don Shula Award (FAU vs. FIU)
Each year the Shula Bowl is contested between Florida Atlantic and Florida International. The matchup is named after famed Dolphins head coach Don Shula because both program’s first coaches have ties to the legendary coach.
42. Governor’s Cup (Georgia vs. Georgia Tech)
Georgia Tech and Georgia have a heated rivalry as the schools are separated by only 70 miles, but have very different cultures and academics. The winner of this bitter in-state rivalry walks away with the Governor’s Cup and bragging rights.
43. Governor’s Cup (Kansas vs. Kansas State)
The Kansas Jayhawks and the Kansas State Wildcats meet each year in the Sunflower Showdown. The game is one of the most anticipated of the season with the winner taking home state supremacy and the Governor’s Cup.
44. Milk Can (Fresno State vs. Boise State)
Boise State and Fresno state have a long standing rivalry that goes back to when both of these schools were members of the WAC. Today, when these two teams bud heads the winner receives the Milk Can in addition to bragging rights over their rival.
45. Beehive Boot (Utah vs. BYU vs. Utah State)
The Beehive Boot is one of only a few three-way trophies found in the FBS and is awarded to the round robin winner between Utah, BYU, and Utah State. The trophy dates back to 1971 and BYU holds the record for most wins with 22.
46. Victory Cannon (Central Michigan vs. Western Michigan)
The battle for the Victory Cannon takes place each year when the Chippewas meet their instate rivals the Western Michigan Broncos. The atmosphere for this game is always spirited, and you can cut the tension in the stadium with a knife when these two instate rivals get together.
47. Jefferson-Eppes Trophy (Virginia vs. Florida State)
When the Seminoles and Cavaliers meet they play for the Jefferson-Eppes Trophy, which is named after Thomas Jefferson and his grandson Francis W. Eppes VII. The two schools played every year from 1992 to 2006. However, their meetings have become more sporadic due to the divisional alignment of the ACC.
48. Bronze Stalk (Ball State vs. Northern Illinois)
The winner between Ball State and Northern Illinois takes home the Bronze Stalk Trophy. The rivalry is among the fiercest in the MAC and often has conference championship and bowl game implications since both teams are typically among the strongest in the conference.
49. Victory Bell (North Carolina vs. Duke)
North Carolina and Duke first played each other in 1888 when the Blue Devils shutout the Tar Heels 16-0. The rivalry had grown since then and saw the addition of a rivalry trophy in 1948 when the two schools began playing for the Victory Bell.
50. Iron Skillet (TCU vs. SMU)
One of TCU’s biggest rivals is Southern Methodist University, which is also located in the Fort Worth area. While the origins of the story differ between the two schools, the rivalry is long running, and the two schools have played each every year except six since 1915. The winner of the game receives the ceremonial iron skillet and bragging rights over the Fort Worth area.