By James Kratch | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Rivalry trophies exist all across the college football universe, but nothing matches the Big Ten's inventory.
The traveling trophies have become part of the conference's fabric, serving as symbols of its long-running series. Rutgers does not have a rivalry trophy to play for yet, but there has been discussion about starting one with Maryland.
In the meantime, here are our rankings of the Big Ten's current 15 intra-conference rivalry trophies:
15. Heartland Trophy (Iowa vs. Wisconsin)
A more apt name for this trophy? Ripoff Floyd of Rosedale.
14. $5 Bits of Broken Chair Trophy (Minnesota vs. Nebraska)
The Big Ten's first Twitter-inspired rivalry trophy. The creation of an online spat between Goldy the Gopher and @FauxPelini, this trophy started as a joke on the internet and managed to become a real thing. The schools have both embraced and distanced themselves from the trophy over the years, but it has earned a permanent foothold now in charitable efforts to raise funds for pediatric healthcare.
13. Heroes Trophy (Iowa vs. Nebraska)
It reminds me of the Hardee's Trophy, which used to be awarded to the Clemson-South Carolina winner annually.
That's not a good thing. Having a trophy just to have one is always a bad idea.
12. Freedom Trophy (Nebraska vs. Wisconsin)
Another trophy invented once Nebraska joined the league. It's a fair trophy - the two stadiums wrapped in an American flag - and better than the Heroes Trophy. But it's nothing special.
Joe Hermitt | The Patriot-News
11. Land-Grant Trophy (Michigan State vs. Penn State)
Maybe the greatest trophy in all of sports.
10. Purdue Cannon (Illinois vs. Purdue)
It's a well-known fact that a rivalry trophy that doubles as a weapon is usually preferable to one that cannot be weaponized. That being said, the Purdue Cannon is on the low end of the trophy/weapon scale. The base looks like something you'd get at your neighborhood trophy-store, and the cannon is too toy-like. The whole setup is also a tad small. Get an actual cannon and we'll talk about moving this one up.
9. Governor's Victory Bell (Minnesota vs. Penn State)
There are a slew of victory bell trophies in college football. This is one of the better ones. But it's not original enough to climb the tough ranks here.
8. Land of Lincoln Trophy (Illinois vs. Northwestern)
The Illinois-Northwestern series has actually had three different rivalry trophies. First, the winning team made off with a wooden, "cigar store" statue of a Native American. That trophy was then lost (meaning they literally couldn't find it, a common theme with rivalry trophies), which led to the institution of the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk in 1945. That trophy was then retired in 2008 after the NCAA mandated the removal of imagery deemed hostile to Native Americans, leading to the institution of a bronze stovepipe hat paying homage to Abraham Lincoln. It's one of the better modern efforts.
Why Ohio State game shouldn't impact Rutgers' QB decision
Al Goldis | AP Photo
7. Old Brass Spittoon (Indiana vs. Michigan State)
We're glad this tradition still exists in 2018, but frankly, we're a bit surprised it hasn't been recycled for something stupid like the Heroes Trophy.
Tom Strattman | The Associated Press
6. Old Oaken Bucket (Indiana vs. Purdue)
Like the rivalry game it symbolizes, the Bucket is an underrated trophy. It's inspired by a poem. It may have roots dating back to the Civil War. The chain of letters – the winning team adds an "I" or "P" each year – attached to the barrel is unique, rather than putting names on the barrel. A strong, storied trophy for a strong, storied in-state series.
Mike Mulholland | MLive.com
5. Paul Bunyan Trophy (Michigan vs. Michigan State)
This would be a strong contender for the No. 1 spot in most conferences. It's a great trophy. But the problem here, besides the strength of the Big Ten's other top offerings, is the unfortunate fact the inspiration was already taken when the trophy was established in the 1950s.
4. Illibuck (Illinois vs. Ohio State)
This is definitely the Big Ten's most creative rivalry trophy. A (live) turtle was chosen as a trophy in 1925 because everyone involved figured the series would last for a long time, which is has. The two schools also used to smoke a peace pipe during halftime. That hasn't happened in a while though.
The Big Ten's most important non-conference games in 2018
3. Floyd of Rosedale (Iowa vs. Minnesota)
You now understand why I dismissed the Heartland Trophy, a clear knockoff of this vastly superior trophy. Such a majestic beast. The backstory: Iowa and Minnesota were feuding in 1935 following a rough 1934 meeting that was mired by cheap shots and racial tensions. The teams were unbeaten heading into the game the next year and the controversy boiled over, with the Iowa governor more or less being accused of trying to incite a riot (the Hawkeyes were the home team that fall).
To calm everything down, naturally, a good-natured governors’ wager of a prize hog was put on the game. Minnesota won a clean game. Rosedale Farms of Iowa donated a hog to the Minnesota governor. The hog’s name was Floyd. A bronze statue was commissioned for the years going forward.
Tony Ding | AP Photo
2. Little Brown Jug (Michigan vs. Minnesota)
The oldest trophy game in college football. Michigan coach Fielding Yost was worried Minnesota might tamper with the Wolverines’ water prior to the 1903 game, so he had a student manager get something to hold the water. That led to Michigan bringing an earthenware jug to the ballpark in Minneapolis.
The game ended in a tie after it was called early due to a storm. But the jug was left behind – the exact details of how are up for interpretation – and Minnesota decided to hold onto it as a token. When the schools met again in 1909, Minnesota presented the idea of a traveling trophy to Michigan, which accepted.
Paul Battaglia | AP Photo
1. Paul Bunyan's Axe (Minnesota vs. Wisconsin)
The amazing thing about this rivalry game? It has boasted two different trophies, and the old one would still be sitting atop the rankings. Minnesota and Wisconsin used to play for the Slab of Bacon Trophy. We know, incredible.
Then the trophy was lost during World War II. To fill the void, the National W Club took control and the two schools transitioned from having a great rivalry trophy to having an amazingly badass one. Nothing will ever be able to top a giant axe with a six-foot-long handle.
Big Ten non-conference trophies ...
The only annual non-conference trophy game involving a Big Ten school is the Cy-Hawk game between Iowa and Iowa State. It's pretty generic. But, to paraphrase Ian Faith, you should have seen what they wanted to do.
Notre Dame had the Shillelagh Trophy with Purdue and the Shillelagh, which was lost, with Northwestern. The Fighting Irish had the Megaphone Trophy with Michigan State, an occasion where a non-weapon beats a weapon. Missouri and Nebraska had a Victory Bell. Indiana and Kentucky retired the Bourbon Barrel years ago. And Colorado and Nebraska once had Mr. Chip, which was a mounted bison head. There’s no way PETA would have let that one go if it hadn’t been lost back in the 1960s.
John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
More Rutgers coverage
• WATCH: Priority DL target Jason Blissett has Rutgers 'at the top'
• This skill has Rutgers' Tariq Cole receiving early NFL Draft 2019 buzz
• Hey, Penn State haters: Saquon Barkley forgave my dumb Tweet
• Rutgers' brutal 2018 homestretch among nation's toughest 3-game runs
• Which Rutgers true freshmen can make impact in 2018? | Mailbag
NJ Advance Media
James Kratch may be reached at jkratch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JamesKratch. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook.
Ad Choices