Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

One of College Football's Most Unique Trophies Will Make its Long Awaited Return on Saturday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nick Meyer | Last updated Oct 9, 2025 6:59 PM ET

The Ohio State Buckeyes and Illinois Fighting Illini began playing their current college football series way back in 1902, a game that resulted in a 0-0 tie.

The Buckeyes hold an all-time series edge with 69 wins, 30 losses and four ties recorded historically.

This Saturday at noon ET, the two classic opponents will renew their series at the University of Illinois Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign with coach Bret Bielema's team ranked 17th in the country and Ryan Day's Buckeyes ranked number one overall.

The two teams will battle it out for one of college football's most unique and creative trophies, which made its debut in 1925.

Nov 14, 2015; Champaign, IL, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) hold up the Illibuck trophy after the game at Memorial Stadium. Ohio State defats Illinois 28-3. Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Illibuck Trophy Returns on Saturday

The Buckeyes and Illini were scheduled to face off in 2020-2021 but the game was canceled due to a COVID-19 outbreak among Buckeyes players.

The Buckeyes and Illini's kitschy, wooden snapping turtle trophy started out as a live snapping turtle that was found living in the basement of a fish market.

Two junior honorary students from OSU and Illinois eventually settled on a turtle trophy, choosing the design over a plaque, cup, elephant and snake.

Video and still photos of exuberant players on both sides of the rivalry hoisting the famed wooden turtle over their heads dot the archives of both teams' historical archives, adding to the mysticism and excitement surrounding the rivalry, which will resume this weekend.

Buckeyes Favored by Two-Plus Touchdowns

The Buckeyes are favored by 14.5 points heading into Saturday's game with wide receivers Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate coming off of a combined 200-plus yards against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in a 42-3 win last week.

The Fighting Illini ceded 150-plus yards to USC receiver Makai Lemon in a close win over the Trojans last week in Champaign, cementing their strong candidacy for a spot in Dec. 6's Big Ten Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

The Buckeyes have two Heisman Trophy candidates in Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith who are both hoping to hoist the Illibuck Trophy for the first time this weekend.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: