Sure, the game that matters the most this weekend is the big tilt between Michigan and Ohio State. If Ohio State wins “The Game” (the Wolverines and Buckeyes don’t play for trinkets), it gets to play for the BCS title. If Michigan wins, the Ohio National Guard gets to watch Columbus go up in flames. But what about the rest of these schools, the guys who didn’t have the foresight to go undefeated this season? Well, they’re playing this weekend too, you know, and when a lot of these teams get together, you can throw out the records. And if we did throw out the records, it would probably be for the best.
Illinois (4-7) at Northwestern (3-8)
The Sweet Sioux Tomahawk
Series record: Illinois leads 50-40-5
How it came to be: The story of the Illinois-Northwestern trophy dates back to 1945 when the staff members of the two student newspapers conceived the idea of a wooden Indian trophy “Sweet Sioux.” Yeah, that would go over really well today. In any case, congratulations go out to both schools because it only took one year before the thing was ripped off from a Northwestern trophy case. That has to be a record.
Indiana (3-8) at Purdue (5-6)
Old Oaken Bucket
Series record: Purdue leads 63-35-6
How it came to be: The bucket was found on a southern Indiana farm and alumni from both schools decided it should be used as the traditional trophy for their football game. It is said General Morgan used the bucket during the Civil War. Do you think the general ever sat in his tent and looked at his bucket and said, “Some day, that bucket is gonna be a football trophy”? No, we don’t either. But it’s fun to think about.
Michigan State (4-7) at No. 15 Penn State (8-3)
The Land Grant Trophy
Series record: Michigan State leads 10-8-1
How it came to be: Ah yes, the Land Grant Trophy. The trophies don’t get any sexier than this. The trophy is called this because both teams are land-grant schools. Of course they are. The traditional halftime show is really exciting too. The bands from both schools meet at midfield and read quietly for 20 minutes. Go team!
Minnesota (7-4) at Wisconsin (6-6)
Paul Bunyan’s Axe
Series record: Minnesota leads 58-45-8
How it came to be: The University of Wisconsin’s “W” Club created Paul Bunyan’s Axe in 1948 for what has become the longest continuous rivalry in Division I-A football. How they convinced Paul Bunyan to give it up is beyond us, but the rivalry has gone on so long that results of the games are printed on the sides of the 6-foot handle.
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A national look at college football rivalry games is on 16
