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Teams	Troy Trojans Troy Trojans football The Troy Trojans football program represents Troy University, Alabama, in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly known as Division I-A, of which it has been a member since 2001...   Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team represents Middle Tennessee State University in NCAA Division I FBS football competition. The Blue Raiders, a member of the Sun Belt Conference, play their home games at Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.Rick Stockstill has...
Originated	1936
Series	Middle Tennessee leads, 11-8
Current Champion	Troy
Trophy	The Palladium

The Battle for the Palladium is the annual college football rivalry matchup between the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders

The Blue Raiders are the men's and women's athletic teams at Middle Tennessee State University. MTSU athletic teams participate in NCAA Division I in the Sun Belt Conference...

 and Troy Trojans

Troy Trojans

The Troy Trojans were a Major League Baseball team in the National League for four seasons from 1879 to 1882. Their home games were played at Putnam Grounds , Haymakers' Grounds , and Troy Ball Clubs Grounds , all in the upstate New York city of Troy. Overall, the franchise won 131 games and lost...

. The history between Middle Tennessee and Troy dates back further (1936) than any other two programs in the Sun Belt Conference, but in 1999 the rivalry was renewed after a 46-year hiatus. The lengthy period was a result of the two programs competing in different divisions. That all changed when Troy announced it would make the move from Division I-AA to I-A and join the Sun Belt Conference allowing the two programs to compete annually. With the program's history dating back longer than any other in the conference, the proximity between the schools, and the intense recruitment for the same players, the rivalry quickly re-ignited from 1999 to 2001. The rivalry escalated when both teams unintentionally attended the same movie theater and got into a skirmish the night before the 2001 contest. In 2003, The Palladium Trophy was introduced in Murfreesboro, TN. A year later, Troy officially joined the Sun Belt Conference after completing its final year of transition from Division I-AA to I-A.

The Palladium

Greek Mythology holds that The Palladium is a wooden statue that fell from the Heavens. It was kept at the Temple of Athena in the city of Troy. According to legend, as long as The Palladium was preserved within the walls of the city, Troy would be safe and could not be taken. However, a “Raider” by the name of Odysseus - also known as the Raider of Cities - stole The Palladium during the Trojan War leading to the fall of Troy. In the spirit of the Blue Raiders and Trojans Greek mythology link, Middle Tennessee and Troy compete in The Battle for The Palladium during their annual Sun Belt Conference game. Legend dictates the winner of The Palladium gains an unknown and unexplainable advantage over the other making it more difficult to regain control during future battles. The history between the two schools dates back to 1936 with the Blue Raiders owning an 11-5 advantage in the series. Now competing in the same conference for the first time, the legend may extend well after the football season is over. Many believe losing possession of The Palladium has an enduring effect, mystically influencing other athletic events throughout the year matching the Trojans and Raiders. It’s just another factor to overcome in this rivalry game between Middle Tennessee and Troy. http://www.goblueraiders.com/content.cfm/id/41284

History of the trophy

In 2003, alumni from Middle Tennessee undertook a grassroots effort to engage fans, alums, and the Student Government Associations from both schools to capitalize on the escalating rivalry with a trophy. The Palladium became the perfect match due to the school's Greek Mythology ties. Middle Tennessee's mascot (Lightning) is a Pegasus-like winged horse and the city of Troy has forever been linked to Greek Mythology. Marcia Berkall, a wood carving artists who owns Whittlins and Wood, was commissioned to replicate the wooden statue of Athena and The Palladium was born. The Palladium is approximately three feet tall and is made of basswood. Gold leaf was applied to Athena's helmet, shield and to the tip of the spear. http://whittlinsnwood.com/WWAlb/commissions/index.html

In 2008, ESPN named The Battle for the Palladium as one of the Top 5 non-BCS in-conference rivalries in college football.http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/223/top-5-non-bcs-in-conference-rivalries

History of the series

From 1936 to 1953, Middle Tennessee dominated the series winning eight consecutive matchups. In those early years, the games were generally lopsided as Middle Tennessee shutout Troy in five of the eight wins. Troy earned its first win when the series renewed in 1999. Middle Tennessee won two straight from 2001 to 2003. However, Troy has won six straight and seven of the past eight meetings. Middle Tennessee currently leads the all-time series 11-8.

The most memorable game in the rivalry came in 2006. With Middle Tennessee undefeated in conference play on the final day of the regular season and Troy hoping to beat the Blue Raiders to gain a share of the conference championship, the Trojans scored 14 points in the final 2:19 to win 21-20 in what has been called the Miracle in Murfreesboro. Middle Tennessee appeared to have throttled the Trojans high-powered offense for the entire game and led comfortably when Troy took possession with just over two minutes left. However, Troy scored a quick touchdown followed by a successful onside kick. Troy then scored the game clinching touchdown with seconds remaining preventing Middle Tennessee from winning its first outright Sun Belt Championship. http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=152768 Troy and Middle Tennessee shared the conference championship, but it was Troy who went on to the New Orleans Bowl. Middle Tennessee was selected for the Motor City Bowl.

Game results

Middle Tennessee currently leads the series 11-8.

Battle for the Palladium
Date	Year	Location	Winner	Score
Oct. 9	1936	Murfreesboro	Middle Tennessee	19-0
Oct. 1	1937	Troy	Middle Tennessee	12-0
Nov. 18	1939	Murfreesboro	Middle Tennessee	14-7
Oct. 2	1942	Mufreesboro	Middle Tennessee	20-0
Nov. 15	1946	Murfreesboro	Middle Tennessee	12-0
Nov. 14	1947	Troy	Middle Tennessee	41-17
Oct. 11	1952	Murfreesboro	Middle Tennessee	33-7
Oct. 10	1953	Troy	Middle Tennessee	6-0
Oct. 2	1999	Murfreesboro	Troy	48-31
Sept. 9	2001	Murfreesboro	Middle Tennessee	54-17
Nov. 8	2003	Murfreesboro	Middle Tennessee	27-20
Nov. 20	2004	Troy	Troy	37-17
Nov. 26	2005	Troy	Middle Tennessee	17-7
Nov. 25	2006	Murfreesboro	Troy	21-20
Nov. 20	2007	Troy	Troy	45-7
Aug. 28	2008	Murfreesboro	Troy	31-17
Oct. 6	2009	Troy	Troy	31-7
Oct. 5	2010	Murfeesboro	Troy	42-13
Sept. 24	2011	Troy	Troy	38-35