Although it’s a budding rivalry, players at Alabama-Birmingham and Memphis aren’t envious of the historic college-football rivalries. They feel no need to take a hack at Paul Bunyan’s Axe, sip from The Little Brown Jug or control the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy, because for the winner of the annual matchup between the two Conference USA foes, victory never tasted so good-literally.

That’s because the trophy awarded to the victor of the barbeque-based Battle for the Bones is a bronzed, 100-pound rack of ribs.

On Oct. 7, Alabama-Birmingham roasted rival Memphis, 35-29, to win the first-ever Battle for the Bones. The inaugural competition celebrates the two cities’ renowned barbequing history by presenting the winner with the massive rib trophy.

The hulking award, which was constructed at Sloss Furnaces, a national historic landmark in Birmingham, by artist-in-residence Heather Spencer, melds the two greatest pastimes for Alabama and Tennessee residents-football and barbeque.

The idea for a BBQ-themed rivalry had been marinating at Birmingham for years. The football program began in 1989 and the school was looking to boost its recognition in the world of college football. UAB administrators decided the way to do this was to create a one-of-a-kind rivalry.

‘We kicked it around for a long time with a couple of our alumni and in our athletic department,’ said Sam Miller, UAB’s associate athletic director of marketing. ‘It just made a lot of sense to go out and try to establish something with (Memphis).’

However, the rivalry would have never become reality this year if it wasn’t for the help of UAB’s student support group, Gang Green, and the Undergraduate Student Government Association (USGA).

The groups’ presidents came to Miller to ask about launching the rivalry and what they could do to help. Miller then tackled the administrative side of the competition and set up the game with Memphis, while Gang Green and the USGA organized the first Battle of the Bones.

Gang Green president Daniel Walters is astounded by how quickly the rivalry came into fruition.

‘Me and (USGA president Andrew) Brashier, we look at each in most days in just amazement,’ Walters said. ‘Two students started a rivalry game. Fifty to 60 years down the line when our children are growing up, I can say I remember hoisting (the Battle of the Bones trophy) for the first time.’

And raising the trophy is no easy task. The 100-pound rib replica is approximately two feet long by two feet wide and is lifted by its two rib-shaped handles. The trophy also looks tasty enough to eat. That’s because Spencer used two slabs of beef ribs to make the plastic molds that would later be worked into the bronzed monolith.

Spencer had only two months to put together the trophy, but organizers and fans were impressed by the Battle for the Bones’ succulent prize. And with the Blazers’ victory, players were thrilled to celebrate with the unique trophy.

‘I don’t think at first it really hit me what it was going to be for,’ Spencer said. ‘First I thought this would just be an interesting project, a new challenge.’

Instead, Spencer found herself overwhelmed, especially after seeing National Guardsman watching over the trophy before UAB claimed it.

Organizers also ensured the Battle for the Bones would not just be about football. Barbequing pride is on the line during the rivalry’s pre-game festivities.

Professional and amateur barbequers took part in a ribs cooking competition. The cook-off began early Saturday morning and by the afternoon, participants submitted their best samples to a panel of celebrity judges, including Spencer and UAB head men’s basketball coach Mike Davis, who crowned a local Birmingham barbeque champion.

Walters was delighted by the fans and players reaction to the entire event. He said they ‘absolutely loved it’ and many fans are making travel plans for Memphis next year to watch Birmingham defend both its football and cooking titles.

Walter Kirkland, the general manager at Birmingham’s famed Dreamland BBQ Ribs, understands why the combination of football and ribs is always a success.

‘I guess it’s the same football philosophy that’s been going on for years,’ Kirkland said. ‘You defeat the enemy and then feast.’

LEVIN’S LOCKS

No. 9 Florida (-13.5) vs. Georgia (at Jacksonville, Fla.)

Saturday, 3:30 p.m., CBS

Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Three weeks ago the ‘Cocktail Party’ looked to be a clash of unbeatens. Instead, the Gators keep slim national title hopes alive with a win over the Bulldogs, who continue their catastrophic nosedive.

Pick: Florida 35, Georgia 20

Miami (Fla.) (+6) at No. 21 Georgia Tech

Saturday, 3:30 p.m., ABC

It’s evident Miami couldn’t care less about the image of its football program. The team’s clear lack of discipline erupted into an all-out brawl two weeks ago, and yet out of the thirteen players subsequently suspended, a dozen of them were shelved for only one game-against winless Duke. The Ramblin’ Wreck imposes a swift punishment as the miscreants return.

Pick: Georgia Tech 28, Miami (Fla.) 17

No. 19 Oklahoma (+1.5) at No. 23 Missouri

Saturday, noon, ABC

An intriguing matchup between the Big XII’s ‘worst of the best.’ However, while Oklahoma is hopelessly stuck behind Big XII South leader Texas, Mizzou actually has a reason to go all out.

Pick: Missouri 27, Oklahoma 24

Ohio (+7) at Kent State

Saturday, 2 p.m., ESPN 360

Last year, KSU was winless against Division I-A opponents. Now, the Golden Flashes own a five-game win streak and are 4-0 in the Mid-American Conference for the first time. The Flashes wrap up the MAC East by defeating its remaining legitimate challenger.

Pick: Kent State 40, Ohio 28

Syracuse (+6.5) at Cincinnati

Saturday, noon, ESPN Regional

SU must be one of the most frustrating teams to watch. The Orange had multiple chances for a double-digit halftime lead against unbeaten Louisville, but instead went into the break down by one. Luckily for SU, when playing the Bearcats, there’s room for error.

Syracuse 20, Cincinnati 13

Published on October 23, 2006 at 12:00 pm