There’s always a lot on the line during college football’s rivalry week.

Whether it’s playoff position, bowl game impact or bragging rights, teams across college football have a lot to prove when they face off against their historic rivals.

There is also significant hardware at risk. These trophies may not be traditional, but their prestige and history shines beyond conventional standards. The latest addition is the Potato State Trophy for the battle of the states between the Idaho Vandals and the Idaho State Bengals, featuring a wooden potato that weighs about 20 pounds.

Such awards add a new dimension to any competition. Here are some great ones from around the game.

Also Read: The Ultimate Guide to the Wildest Moments in Rivalry Week

‘Battle for the Bones’: Memphis vs. UAB

Memphis, Tennessee, and Birmingham, Alabama, are separated by 250 miles of highway, and the rivalry between the cities’ respective colleges runs deep. The feud isn’t exclusive to the gridiron, however — both cities boast a rich barbecue culture, a fact that the rivalry trophy pays homage to. Its design features a rack of ribs mounted on a pedestal inscribed with the game’s annual results.

Schnellenberger Trophy: Miami Hurricanes vs. Louisville Cardinals

The boot worn by Howard Schnellenberger, who coached both teams, was the winner’s award for the Miami vs. Louisville game.

The 2023 season was the first in which the teams competed for the trophy, which pays homage to Schnellenberger’s outfit in cowboy boots to match his coat and tie.

Golden Egg: Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State

Can you imagine the golden egg being the golden goal post? This can happen if the offer is not rejected.

Instead, the Ole Miss and Mississippi State student bodies agreed to the current trophy “to promote better understanding in athletic relations, foster clean sportsmanship and promote a lasting tradition…”

The first Battle of the Golden Eggs took place on Thanksgiving in 1927 and will be held on the holiday this year.

Paul Bunyan’s Ax: Wisconsin vs. Minnesota

This wooden figure debuted in 1948 due to an interesting situation with its predecessor.

An early traveling trophy, known as a “slab of bacon”, was shaped like an “M” or a “W” depending on how it was viewed. Its whereabouts were unknown from 1943 until 1994, when a Wisconsin intern found it in a storage room.

The original ax resides in the College Football Hall of Fame, and the current model features a 6-foot handle with the score of every meeting between the longtime rivals since 1948.

Bedlam Bell: Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State

The trophy is the name of a multisport rivalry between two Oklahoma-based schools. According to Oklahoma State, the aforementioned rivalry was named after a newspaper reporter emerged from a wrestling match at Gallagher Hall (now Gallagher-Iba Arena) and said, “It’s bedlam in there!”

The competitor’s first prize was a clap of the bell that hung in the Old Central Building of Oklahoma State. They agreed to use it as a trophy in 1966, and a crystal replica of the bell is used today.

Platypus Trophy: Oregon State vs. Oregon

The rivalry between Oregon and Oregon State dates all the way back to 1894 and may have one of the most unique gifts of all.

Beginning in 1959, the Platypus Trophy was created by Warren Spady, then an art student at the University of Oregon. The design’s duck-like bill and beaver-like tail reflect both team mascots.

Legends Trophy: Notre Dame vs. Stanford

The Legends Trophy was first presented to Lou Holtz and Notre Dame in 1989. It is topped with a cup made of Irish crystal and a California redwood base as a tribute to the history of both institutions.



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