A look at Rivalry Week’s unique collection of hardware

The stakes are always high during college football rivalry week.

Whether it’s playoff positions, bowl game implications, or braggart rights, teams across college football have a lot to prove when they go up against their historic rivals.

There’s also notable hardware at stake. These trophies may not be traditional, but their prestige and history transcends conventional standards. Pick up this latest trophy for the annual Miami Hurricanes vs. Louisville Cardinals game, wearing boots designed by Howard Schnellenberger, who coached both teams.

The Schnellenberger Trophy

It is official! We’ll play Miami every year for the trophy that features the boots worn by coach Howard Schnellenberger. #GoCards pic.twitter.com/CPWEExUjKM

— Louisville Football (@LouisvilleFB) July 24, 2023

Such a prize adds a new dimension to any rivalry. Here are some of the coolest things from the game.

Read more: The definitive guide to the wildest moments of all time in Rivalry Week

Golden Egg: #9 Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State

Can you imagine that the Golden Egg is the Golden Goalpost? That might have been the case had the proposal not been rejected.

Instead, the Ole Miss and Mississippi State student bodies agreed on the current trophy “To bring about a better understanding in sporting relations, to promote a clean sporting spirit and to foster an enduring tradition…”

The first Battle for the Golden Egg took place on Thanksgiving in 1927 and is set to take place on that holiday this year.

Paul Bunyan Axe: No. 14 Wisconsin vs. Minnesota

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

The original travel trophy, known as the “Slab of Bacon”, was shaped like an “M” or “W” depending on how you look at it. His whereabouts were unknown from 1943 to 1994 when a A Wisconsin intern found it in a storage room.

The original ax is in the College Football Hall of Fame, and the current model features a six-foot handle with the results of every encounter between the longtime rivals since 1948.

Bedlam Bell: No. 10 Oklahoma vs. No. 7 Oklahoma State

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

The first reward of the rivalry was a clapper from the bell that hung in Oklahoma State’s Old Central building. They agreed to use it as a trophy in 1966 and a crystal replica of the bell is currently in use.

Platypus Trophy: Oregon State vs. #11 Oregon

The Oregon-Oregon State rivalry dates back to 1894 and may be one of the most unique keepsakes of all.

From 1959 there was the Platypus Trophy created by then University of Oregon art student Warren Spady. The design’s duck-like beak and beaver-like tail reflect the mascots of both teams.

Legends Trophy: #6 Notre Dame vs. Stanford

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

The sweet taste of victory!

With our 45-24 win over Stanford, we retain the Legends Trophy and celebrate our third season of 10+ straight wins.#GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/SB9qOOcG3X

— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) December 1, 2019