I know. Its pretty arrogant to think of Saturdays little get together at Stanford as the Big Game. There are probably a lot of games being played around the country this weekend that would fit that category, but for those of us who were born and raised in these parts, even though it can sometimes be a misnomer, for all its hokeyness -- its the Big Game.
In fact, if Harvard and Yale can refer to their yearly tussle as simply, The Game -- I think we here in the Bay Area are perfectly within our rights to add Big to the name. And this year it actually could rightly be called the Kinda Sorta Biggish Game. Stanford had its sizable bubble burst last week and Cal can at least now ponder a post season trip to -- well, to its home stadium this year, AT&T Park. Cmon, the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl is a bowl game isnt it?
PREVIEW: Cal vs. No. 8 Stanford
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If the Bears can somehow manage to hand the Cardinal its second straight loss, Stanford will have gone from the National Championship Game to the Fiesta Bowl, to one of those other bowl games watched only by relatives and shut-ins. One thats sponsored by some product that is only used in areas where John Deere is the biggest name in transportation.
The truth is, the Big Game is the only time all year that the suits who inhabit the caverns of the financial district pick their heads up out of the big book of pork belly futures to nudge the Old Blue in the next cubicle about how the Bears havent been to the Rose Bowl since the Eisenhower administration. Thats usually met with a comment like, I think a dancing tree is a pretty stupid mascot. So much for football season. Back to the big board.
And thats why they call it the Big Game folks.
As to the contest itself, Stanford gets the game at home, and thats a good thing considering they got run out of their own building -- not to mention any hope of an undefeated season -- a week ago against Oregon. The very best news for Stanford -- Cal isnt Oregon.
KILLION: Big Game huge for Tedford
With that said, it wouldnt shock me if the Bears came down the peninsula and handed Stanford another serving of humble pie. For no other reason but that the Big Game is the personification of every sports clich that was ever spoken. Throw the records out in this one. You just dont know when its a traditional game. Stranger things have happened. Well you know what? You can, you dont, and they have -- those are the clichd answers to the clichd questions.
I dont really think Cal will win the game. Stanfords run defense is too good -- against everyone but Oregon that is -- and Cal doesnt throw it very well. Defensively, I like the Bears, but Andrew Luck is due for a game that he simply goes out and wins. Thats what I think will happen.
RATTO: Big Game intrigue
The Bears arent going to the Rose Bowl again, I do think the Tree is a pretty stupid mascot, and Id really like to know when to jump back into the pork belly market. But, like everyone else, Ill be watching the Big Game as I have for the past half century. And, why not?
Its the Big Game.