POTATO LAND — The Gem State is going spuds up for the top in-conference college football rivalry in Idaho.

Idaho and Idaho State will officially play annually for the Potato State Trophy, a traveling trophy that will be awarded to the winner between the two Big Sky schools in the Gem State.

The new trophy replaces the Battle of the Domes, which was the previous rivalry the Vandals led 32-13 all-time before trophy sponsors pulled out of both institutions known for playing in indoor stadiums in Moscow and Pocatello.

Last year, Idaho coach Jason Eck made a temporary trophy by mounting a Mr. Potato Head to the base of the Battle of the Domes trophy. Eck admitted, however, that the makeshift rivalry trophy wasn't permanent even after the Vandals' 63-21 home win.

The Potato Trophy is definitely that.

A member of the Idaho athletic department carved the 19.4-pound trophy out of Idaho Douglas Fir, according to KTVB in Boise, and brought out the fixture during the annual Big Sky Kickoff in Spokane. Obviously, it's a nod to the state's $4 billion industry, one that supports over 30,000 jobs in the Gem State, according to the Idaho athletic department.

"The process was me in my backyard getting yelled at by my wife, asking what am I doing? But I'm just that kind of sicko," Idaho assistant athletic director Jerek Wolcott explained of the trophy's origins. "But I really love college football, and the thing that makes our sport great is the ridiculousness of it. Whether it's the $5 bits of broken chair trophy or the other thigns that are silly in college football, this is something that I think can be embraced — and college football fans all over the country, I think, have embraced it."

Added Eck: "Potatoes are synonymous with Idaho and the University of Idaho is a big part of the potato industry. We look are excited to compete for the Potato State Trophy.

The trophy features a metal cutout emblazoned with logos from both schools, donated by an Idaho booster, as well as space to etch each year's winner for at least two decades.

This year's trophy may help decide the Big Sky title, as well. The Vandals were picked to finish third in the conference media and coaches' polls, with only Montana and Montana State receiving more votes.

Idaho State was picked to finish eighth in the media poll, but just 10th by the coaches. Weber State, by the way, was picked to finish sixth by the coaches with 74 votes, and seventh by the media with 234 votes.

"The Big Sky Conference is the greatest conference in FCS football, complete with rich traditions and storied rivalries that go back over 50 years," said Idaho State coach Cody Hawkins, an Idaho native who was the state's Gatorade Player of the Year in 2005 before signing with Colorado. "Having grown up in Idaho, I understand the great privilege it is to coach at one of these prestigious universities and am excited to be part of the new chapter of our rivalry with the Vandals. The Potato State is my home, and I'm excited to get our Bengals ready to compete for the Potato State Trophy for years to come!"

The two teams will continue to play for the King Spud Trophy in basketball.

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