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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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7. Montana vs. Montana State – Great Divide Trophy

The rivalry between Montana and Montana State dates back to 1897, but the Great Divide Trophy wasn’t created until 2001. The winner keeps it until the following season’s game where it’ll be passed, or remain with, the victor. At the end of the century, the team with the most wins will be awarded the trophy to keep. Montana owns a 9-8 series lead since the trophy’s inception.

Montana owns the all-time series (72-40-5), the largest margin of victory (79-0) and the longest win streak (16 games), but Montana State has won three in a row and has closed the gap since officially joining the NCAA. Montana enjoys just a three-game advantage (32-29) over Montana State since both have landed on an even playing field.

In recent years, this rivalry has been crucial to the standings in the Big Sky Conference, whose champion gets an automatic bid to the Division I FCS Playoffs. With another matchup coming on November 23, who will capture the Great Divide Trophy?