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Pac-12 Era Ends: Stanford and Cal Clash in Bittersweet Farewell

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Saturday, January 31st 2026 at 20:35 GMT by East Bay Times
      Locales: California, UNITED STATES

BERKELEY, CA - February 1st, 2026 - The gridiron at Memorial Stadium bore witness to more than just a football game this past Saturday. It was a farewell, a remembrance, and a bittersweet acknowledgement of the end of an era. Stanford and Cal, the last two standing from the once-powerful Pac-12 Conference, clashed in a contest steeped in sentimentality, marking the final official football game played under the conference banner before both programs embark on new chapters in the ACC and Big Ten respectively, beginning with the 2026 season.

The atmosphere was palpable. While both teams arrived with respectable records - Stanford at 8-3 overall and 5-3 in Pac-12 play, and Cal at 7-4 and 4-4 - the score, while important, felt secondary to the larger narrative. This wasn't simply a battle for bragging rights; it was a collective pause to honor a legacy stretching back over a century, a legacy now dissolving before the eyes of dedicated fans and alumni.

The rapid decline of the Pac-12 has been well-documented, a cautionary tale in the increasingly volatile landscape of college athletics. A confluence of factors - primarily financial and media rights disagreements - led to the exodus of many of its flagship institutions, leaving Stanford and Cal as the last bastions of a once-mighty conference. The departures of schools like USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington to the Big Ten and other conferences created a domino effect, ultimately fracturing the Pac-12 beyond repair.

"It's surreal," Cal head coach Justin Wilcox admitted after the game. "You think about all the history, all the teams that have played in this conference. It's something special." Wilcox's words echoed the feelings of many who remember the Pac-12's heyday - a period defined by Rose Bowl appearances, national championships, and legendary players. The conference was synonymous with academic excellence and athletic prowess, consistently producing top-tier talent in various sports.

Stanford's Troy Taylor echoed Wilcox's sentiment, emphasizing the gratitude both programs felt for their time within the Pac-12. "We're grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of the Pac-12," Taylor stated. "It's been a great run, and we want to send it out with class." This desire to maintain dignity in the face of adversity was a recurring theme throughout the week leading up to the game. While acknowledging the sadness of the conference's demise, both coaching staffs focused on providing their players with a memorable experience and a fitting send-off.

However, sentimentality wasn't the only focus. Both teams were determined to compete and finish the season strong. "We want to win," Taylor affirmed. "That's our focus. We want to finish the season strong and send our seniors out on a high note." The competitive spirit remained, a testament to the dedication of the players and coaches who viewed this final Pac-12 contest as an opportunity to showcase their talent and achieve victory.

The rivalry between Stanford and Cal, affectionately known as 'The Big Game,' has been a cornerstone of the Pac-12 for over a century. Its roots run deep, fueled by geographical proximity, academic competition, and a shared history. Despite the conference's disintegration, this rivalry is expected to endure, albeit in a different form, as the two universities navigate their new conference affiliations. This enduring competition provided a fitting backdrop for the Pac-12's swan song.

Beyond the immediate impact on Stanford and Cal, the Pac-12's collapse has far-reaching implications for the future of college athletics. It underscores the growing influence of money and television contracts in shaping the competitive landscape and raises questions about the long-term sustainability of traditional conference structures. The restructuring also highlights the challenges faced by universities striving to balance athletic success with academic values.

As the final whistle blew at Memorial Stadium, a sense of closure washed over the crowd. It was a final goodbye to a conference that had meant so much to so many - a conference that had shaped the lives of countless athletes, coaches, and fans. Though the Pac-12 may be gone, its memories will undoubtedly linger, a reminder of a golden era in college football. The game served as a poignant reminder that while the world of sports is constantly evolving, some traditions, like the rivalry between Stanford and Cal, will continue to burn brightly long after the lights have dimmed on the Pac-12.