Bitter rivalries tend to bring out the worst in people, pushing them to their breaking points. But in a healthy rivalry, in its rare occurrence, mutual respect for the other party can be motivational, or even inspiring, with each party pushing the other toward greater levels of achievement.
In recent years, however, the Big Game has become more bitter than healthy, at least on the Cal side of things, with Stanford winning the last six contests. And it wouldn’t be surprising if after Saturday the Cardinal will have the Axe back for the seventh consecutive year.
But what is worst about a rivalry is the personal damage it can do.