Article content

It’s never about the tangible payoff.

Good thing, because mid-season baubles themselves are rarely extravagant.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Stamps bring rivalry experience to Labour Day showdown Back to video

But frequently symbolic.

While attending Southern Methodist University, what mattered most to Taylor Reed? Winning an iron skillet, of course.

The victor of autumn’s grudge match between SMU and Texas Christian University – enemies separated by only 65 kilometres – gets a frying pan, which makes it remarkable.

That particular confrontation, kitchenware aside, meant everything.

Still does.

“Man, that was a big rivalry for us,” says Reed. “In my four years there, we only won once, but we felt like we should’ve won at least two of them, three of them. Crazy. Great rivalry. A high-intensity rivalry.

“That’s the big game that we wanted to win, if any game.”

For Alex Singleton, cradling the Great Divide Trophy had been significant only because it was handed out after the yearly Brawl of the Wild between his Montana State Bobcats and the Montana Grizzlies.