College football is approaching, so I made this list to tide me over until the first snap. I have compiled this list based on how interesting and original each trophy is. This is not however a list of the best rivalries. I tried to stay away from that fact and stuck with just the trophies overall. This list is also only Division I trophies. With that in mind, here is the list:
10. The Apple Cup
Washington University and Washington State play for this trophy in the battle for the state of Washington every year. It is named for the well known apple growing throughout the state, but was originally named The Governors Trophy before 1962. It has been awarded to either team every year since the 1962 name change.
Washington leads 32-14
9. Jeweled Shillelagh
Norte Dame and USC play for this trophy each year since 1952 to commemorate the start of the rivalry back in 1926. It is a Gaelic war club from Ireland that is made from oak. A ruby is placed onto it for a USC victory and an Emerald is put on for every Notre Dame win. For ties, a combination medallion is used. The original was retired in 1989 and is on display at Notre Dame.
Notre Dame leads, 42-32-5
8. Commander-in-Chief's Trophy
Awarded in a triangle format between the Army, Navy, and Air Force teams every year. In 1972, Air Force General George B. Simler thought there should be more meaning to the games that Air Force played against Army and Navy, so a trophy that had three silver footballs on top with each mascot situated below each of the footballs was introduced. The president has actually awarded the trophy to the winning team on several occasions.
Air Force leads with 16 wins
7. Old Oaken Bucket
One of the oldest trophies awarded in college football, it is awarded to the winner each year between Indiana and Purdue. It was first awarded in 1925 and was thought that it represented the "The most typical Hoosier form of trophy." The bucket was found in a well somewhere in Indiana and was wrapped with a bronze chain that held the letters "I" and "P" to represent Indiana and Purdue. There is even a poem about it.
Purdue leads, 54-26-3
6. The Platypus Trophy
Awarded every year to either Oregon or Oregon State since 1959 to 1961, but was lost for more than 40 years. It was rediscovered in 2005 and was first re-awarded in 2007 since being found. A platypus carved from maple is atop the trophy to represent a combination of both mascots (duck and beaver).
Oregon State has won the only three times it has been awarded.
5. Illy Illibuck Trophy
A wooden turtle is awarded to the winner of the Illinois and Ohio State game every year. The trophy was actually a live turtle when it was first awarded from 1925 to 1927. Since the turtle passed on, there has been nine replicas made from wood.
Ohio State leads, 56-23-2
4. Indian War Drum
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