COLUMBUS, Ohio — Trophy games are often celebrated in college football. From golden eggs to wagon wheels, these obscure prizes symbolize the sport’s great rivalries.

They also symbolize some not-so-great, forgotten rivalries.

Ohio State football hasn’t faced Illinois since 2017. However, the two programs will play for a trophy — the “Illibuck” — on Saturday in Champaign, Illinois.

A series once played in the final week of the regular season is no longer that. Ohio State reserves that rivalry week spot for Michigan, leaving little hate for its neighbor two states to the west.

And still, the Buckeyes and Illini will play for a wooden turtle.

“Great tradition,” Ryan Day said. “Two great programs. I’ll make sure that the players know about that.”

Ohio State has a game wrecker potent

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