Husker Football: Top Five Budding Rivalry Names/Trophies

Nov 16, 2013; Lincoln, NE, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Conner Cook (18) hands off to running back Jeremy Langford (33) Nebraska Cornhuskers in the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

No. 5: Crusade of the North (Michigan State)

If East Lansing, MI is Sparta, then it only makes sense to harken back to Nebraska football’s past. I speak of when the Huskers were referred to as the Old Gold Knights.

Nebraska and Michigan State have had some classic battles, but Sparty picked up his only win of the series last year. After losses of 17-3 (2003), 24-3 (2011) and 28-24 (2012), the Spartans unloaded on Nebraska at home 41-28 in 2013.

The Huskers travel to East Lansing this year to face one of the saltiest defenses in the conference, if not the nation.

Trophy: Bronzed half knight’s helmet/half Spartan helmet molded into one, skewered with a thick spear