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College football rivalries: Ranking the 10 best rivalry trophies

By Phil Poling

The Commander-in-Chief's Trophy sits on a table before President Trump's presentation to the U.S. Military Academy football team, the Army Black Knights, in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Monday, May 6, 2019. (Photo by Cheriss May) (Photo by Cheriss May/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The Commander-in-Chief's Trophy sits on a table before President Trump's presentation to the U.S. Military Academy football team, the Army Black Knights, in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Monday, May 6, 2019. (Photo by Cheriss May) (Photo by Cheriss May/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /
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MADISON, WI – NOVEMBER 26: Wisconsin retains the Paul Bunyan Trophy, the Axe, after number five ranked Wisconsin beat Minnesota by a final score of 31-17 at Camp Randall Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Madison, WI. (Photo by Patrick S. Blood/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MADISON, WI – NOVEMBER 26: Wisconsin retains the Paul Bunyan Trophy, the Axe, after number five ranked Wisconsin beat Minnesota by a final score of 31-17 at Camp Randall Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Madison, WI. (Photo by Patrick S. Blood/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1. Minnesota vs. Wisconsin – Paul Bunyan’s Axe

Do I even have to explain why Paul Bunyan’s Axe, given to the winner of Minnesota versus Wisconsin, is the best rivalry trophy in college football? I mean look at it. It’s Paul Bunyan’s Axe! It replaced the original trophy, the Slab of Bacon, in 1948 after the Badgers failed to turn it over to the Gophers after losing. Without that hiccup, we likely wouldn’t have Paul Bunyan’s Axe, though, so I’m grateful.

The first meeting between these two took place in 1890, and the all-time series is a dead-even tie at 60-60-8. Minnesota won the battle last season after the Badgers ripped off 14 in a row, setting up this season’s matchup as one to take the series’ lead.

It’ll be each team’s final regular season game on Nov. 30, and then it’s on to the Big Ten Championship if either is in such a fruitful position. The Gophers have the edge in that department, having won 18 conference championships to the Badgers’ 14.

Conference championships are nice, but in the context of a rivalry, winning Paul Bunyan’s Axe is a huge deal. That’s where Wisconsin holds the advantage, having a 43-25-3 record since the axe’s incorporation.

Next. College football rivalries: Ranking the Top 10. dark