College football has some weird traditions.
The Keg of Nails.
The Battle for the Iron Skillet.
The Slab of Bacon.
No, those are not the ingredients for the ultimate frat party but the trophies handed out to the winning teams in some football rivalries.
Illinois and Northwestern fought for The Sweet Sioux Tomahawk Trophy from 1945 to 2008. This year, the two will play Nov. 14 for the honor of possessing a new trophy to be named later. That’s where you, the college football fan, come in.
Both schools want your input on what the trophy should be called. You can vote for four options — The Land of Lincoln Trophy, the President’s Trophy, The Popcorn Bowl or Graham-Grange Fire Bell — at https://illinois.edu/formBuilder/Secure?id=1538377.
Or, voters can suggest a name of their own for the trophy. RedEye would like to play that game. How do you like our ideas?
The Eastern Tiger Salamander Trophy
Named for the official state amphibian, it would feature a replica of one of the animals — wearing a football helmet and carrying a beer.
The Faux Title Trophy
Since both teams are pretty much assured of not winning a college football title in the near future, this trophy is just a gold-platedNo. 1 emerging from a football field.
The I-57 Trophy
A pothole-riddled section of road topped with cars traveling bumper-to-bumper and surrounded by cornfields.
The Corrupt Politician
This trophy is as true to Illinois as possible. There are so many politicos to choose from, it is limited to three. The busts of George Ryan, Rod Blagojevich and Betty Loren-Maltese sit atop an outline of the state.
The Bag Boy Trophy
Hey, why not? Our resident grumpy sports fan needs something to cheer about.
