The rivalry intensified in the 1980s as Colorado improved under head coach Bill McCartney, reaching its peak in the 1990s with several top-ten meetings.

After the formation of the Big 12, the game was traditionally played on the Friday afternoon following Thanksgiving, nationally televised on ABC.

When Colorado hired Bill McCartney in 1982, he emphatically designated Nebraska as their primary rival in an attempt to motivate his team and fanbase.

[5] Colorado's success under McCartney led to the peak of the rivalry's national prominence.

Nebraska controversially edged Colorado and Oregon to play #1 Miami in the national championship game.

The annual series ended in 2011 when Nebraska joined the Big Ten (Colorado moved to the Pac-12 shortly after).

[12][13][14] The rivalry was renewed on September 8, 2018, in Lincoln; Colorado won 33–28 on a 40-yard touchdown pass from Steven Montez to Laviska Shenault with 1:06 left to spoil Scott Frost's debut as Nebraska head coach.

The September 7, 2019, game at Folsom Field in Boulder saw CU rally from a 17–0 halftime deficit to upset No.

Colorado lost the trophy after winning it in 1961 and were not able to present it for exchange when Nebraska won in 1962.