Ranking the 10 best college football rivalry games

4 of 12

Nov 19, 2016; Berkeley, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) carries the ball against the California Golden Bears during the third quarter at Memorial Stadium. The Stanford Cardinal defeated the California Golden Bears 45-31. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Cal vs Stanford (The Big Game)

Stanford leads series, 62-46-11

If this game were never played again, it would still be remembered for one of the all-time greatest plays/moments in college football history. In 1982, “the play” happened, in which Cal lateraled the ball down the field on the kickoff return and returned the ball all the way to the end zone, with the Stanford band waiting, for a touchdown that would win them the game. That single play defines this rivalry and helps put it in the top 10 for the country.

The Cal-Stanford game comes earlier than rivalry week, and has already played this season. Stanford won the game 45-31 for their seventh win in a row in the series against the Golden Bears.

Home/College Football News