Rutgers versus University of South Florida

Rutgers coach Kyle Flood is open to establishing rivalries against Penn State and Maryland.

(Ed Murray/The Star-Ledger)

PISCATAWAY -- Despite spending 22 years in the Big East/American Athletic Conference, Rutgers never developed a rivalry that turned an annual football matchup into an event.

Sure, fans held an extra level of disdain for UConn and Syracuse, and recent games against Louisville provided some memorable moments, but there was nothing that elevated those matchups into the category of college football's classic rivalries.

"No one ever described those games to me as rivalry games," coach Kyle Flood said. "I think you'd probably have to ask our fan base (about rivals). We have not had a 'trophy game' per se since I've been here."

That should change now that Rutgers is in the Big Ten. The conference is known for its historic rivalries, which are often played with a distinctive trophy on the line. There are 13 trophy games in the Big Ten, including unique hardware such as Paul Bunyan's Axe (Minnesota-Wisconsin) and the Little Brown Jug (Michigan-Minnesota).

Rutgers, fellow Big Ten newcomer Maryland and Penn State already have engaged in talks about creating trophies for their matchups, according to a Washington Post report.

It makes sense for the Big Ten's three easternmost teams to develop rivalries in a Midwest-dominant conference.

"I would welcome it," Flood said of potential trophy games. "I really would. I think football is at its best when it's regional. We've got a natural neighbor to the west (Penn State) and a natural neighbor to the south (Maryland). If something like that was to evolve and we can come to some sort of agreement, I would be very open to it. It would be great."

Rutgers and Maryland meet in the season finale for the next three years, so if there's something on the line for those matchups, a rivalry could quickly develop. But Maryland has a long way to go to reach the level of enmity Rutgers fans have toward Penn State.

Even though the teams haven't met since 1995, the animosity toward Penn State never really dissipated among Rutgers fans. The simmering dislike has been reignited by new Nittany Lions coach James Franklin, who has made dismissive comments toward Rutgers and has invaded New Jersey for recruits.

Mascots and cheerleaders from each Big Ten school were introduced at Tuesday night's party to celebrate Rutgers' entry to the conference. Only the representatives from Penn State were booed.

Flood has stoked the rivalry by refusing to use the words "Penn State." Channeling legendary Ohio State coach Woody Hayes, who famously referred to Michigan as "that team up north," Flood has taken to calling Penn State "the team from Pennsylvania." At a rally in May, Flood encouraged fans to "make sure you've got a good seat" for the Sept. 13 primetime matchup with Penn State at High Point Solutions Stadium.

The talk is fun, but Rutgers-Penn State won't become a true rivalry until the Scarlet Knights prove they're worthy on the field. Penn State holds a 22-2 advantage in the all-time series. The Nittany Lions hold a similarly lopsided edge over Maryland (35-1-1).

"I think rivalries in general happen over time," Flood said. "They happen because of geographic boundaries and they happen because of really high-level football being played on both sides. I think ultimately the rivalries are determined by those things."

If you have any ideas for trophies for these matchups, share them in the comments section.