When the Associated Press released its Top 25 poll Sept. 27, the excitement surrounding the 118th edition of the Big Game began to build.
For the first time since 2010, the Cal football team had joined the prestigious rankings, securing the No. 24 spot after notching a 30-24 victory over Washington on the road.
Storied rival Stanford came in at No. 18.
After three seasons of the Bears being blown out by the Cardinal and losing by an average of nearly 30 points, it seemed as if the chronically lopsided contest would finally become competitive again.