Rivalry trophies and rewards that should get the bump to ‘official’ status
I firmly believe Nebraska should scrap its bland and meaningless trophy games against Iowa and Wisconsin. While you can read my full case here, it boils down to how these trophies are nothing more than moralistic tropes randomly assigned to Nebraska.
Are we so arrogant as to believe that we're the only fan base that loves freedom and respects heroes? Certainly, the fans of Washington State, Rutgers, or Auburn could make the same claim, as could every other college football team. Let's stop playing up these hollow banalities.
But I still want Nebraska to have trophy games. Heck, aside from the big fat paycheck, one would argue trophy games are the primary reason to be a member of the Big Ten Conference. So from silly to serious, here are the trophies and rewards I propose getting the bump to "official" status.
Opponent: Minnesota
Trophy: $5 Bits of Broken Chair
This is the perfect trophy for the Internet Age and has everything you could want. It was created online between the Twitter accounts of a fake football coach and Minnesota's rodent mascot. The beautifully ridiculous trophy was designed and created via Reddit. Controversy surrounds the original trophy's whereabouts. A charitable giving aspect that inspires friendly competition between the fanbases. Seriously, what more do you need? The Chair needs to be elevated to recognized status yesterday.
Opponent: Wisconsin
Trophy: Barry Alvarez Bust
The trophy is just what the name implies: a bronze bust of Barry Alvarez. Wisconsin would obviously love to possess a trophy bearing the likeness of their legendary coach and athletic director. Nebraska fans would like to remind the Badgers where Alvarez went to college and which school he modeled his Wisconsin program after. Just think of the fun the Huskers social media people could have taking Barry around town, sporting his old #33 jersey.
Opponent: Northwestern
"The Battle for NU"
Northwestern University is obviously abbreviated as "NU". The University of Nebraska - for reasons that are a little less obvious - also prefers to be known as "NU". Since both schools reside in the same division, there can only be one NU.
This game does not have a physical trophy. Instead, a gentlemen's agreement between the institutions and media that cover them, that the winning school gets to be known as "NU" for the next year.
Opponent: Purdue
Trophy: The Ten Year Scale
Husker fans, let's acknowledge the locomotive in the room. As a fan base, we don't respect Purdue. They are a fine institution with a nice football history, but most Husker fans (and, arguably, some coaches) do not consider the Boilermakers to be our equals on the gridiron. Purdue fans feel that disrespect and revel in Nebraska losses to "lesser" schools like Indiana.
While the overall résumés of the programs may be inequal, the head-to-head matchups are not. Since Nebraska joined the Big Ten, the Cornhuskers and Boilermakers have played nine times. NU leads the current series 5-4. Therefore, the trophy for this game should reflect the recent bragging rights for each school.
The Ten Year Scale will be a working . One side is for Nebraska and the other for Purdue. Individual weights are made for each game in the series. The ten most recent game weights are placed on the victor's side, causing the scale to show the disparity between the schools. If one school goes on a sustained run, the tipped scales will show their dominance.
After ten years, a game weight is retired and placed in a ring that makes up the trophy's base.
Opponent: Illinois
“The Big Deal”, presented by Opendorse
We're going outside the box here. Have you ever noticed how teams play harder when there is a bronze pig or giant axe on the line? Imagine how hard they would play for some extra cash in their pockets.
Members of the winning team get Name/Image/Likeness endorsement deals arranged by Nebraska-based Opendorse. These deals could be for the entire team, the game MVP, or the walk-on who makes a big play.
Why Illinois? It is definitely because N(ebraska) + IL(linois) = NIL, and playing for NIL deals would be a revolutionary idea. It is definitely not because I did not have a better idea for the Illini.
Opponent: Iowa
Trophy: (To Be Determined)
Okay - I don't have a clever name or perfect trophy trinket in mind. Honestly, that's okay. Personally, I'd like to see the trophy embrace - or heavily lean into - the agricultural roots of both states. Nebraska is a farm state. Iowa is a farm state. Nebraska has the word "corn" in their team name, for crying out loud.
My biggest complaint with the Heroes Trophy (aside from the oppressive blandness and unnecessary corporate sponsor) is how Jim Delany and the Big Ten were scared to walk through the giant open door labeled "Agriculture". When the ag theme is so obvious, take it. Embrace it. Own it and be proud of it. Instead, the current Heroes Trophy (presented by Scheels!!!) looks like it came from page four of the "Trophies R Us" catalog*.
Fun fact: Did you know the football on the top of the ** is replaceable? You simply need a 3/32" Allen wrench and it will come off\. The manufacturer sells 23 other sport toppers that can be mounted on top of your Generic Trophy, including field hockey, golf, basketball, and badminton\.*
Figure out a name/theme that means something to the fans on both sides, but not to the other 128 FBS teams like "Heroes". I'd be okay with Nebraska and Iowa teaming up to steal "Farmageddon" from their little brothers Iowa State and Kansas State. Next, figure out a trophy, with the instruction that unique is better than bland.
True rivalries take time to develop. You need some back and forth, some close games, controversy, big talk, bigger plays, and big stakes. If the Nebraska-Iowa series is not already there, it is clearly headed in that direction. Once the 24/7/365 disdain (if not outright hatred) for the other side is in place, the rest should come easily.
