That's what makes this week so special. Throw out the records and bring in the rivalry. This is a unique week of its own. Forget that 20-17 loss at USC on Saturday. Time to focus on California, which visits Stanford this Saturday for the 116th edition of the Big Game. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

"You know there is bad blood in the water," Stanford receiver Jeff Trojan said. "We're not very fond of each other. They stole our axe and I don't like them for that."

Big Game Week started like any other week, with the possible exception of the annual goring of the Teddy Bear by the Leland Stanford Junior Marching Band at the fountain fondly nicknamed "The Claw." It's a tradition known as 'bearial.'

The Stanford Axe, which dates to 1899, is presented to the winner of the Big Game each year. Photo by Michael Pimentel/Stanfordphoto.com

Stanford's seven-game winning streak between 1995 and 2001, the longest of the series, all came on Willingham's watch. He also served as an assistant for three years under Denny Green. He's a perfect 10 against the Golden Bears.

Former Stanford coach Tyrone Willingham lives on in school history books as much as for going unbeaten in the Big Game, both as a head coach and assistant coach, than for getting the Cardinal into the 2000 Rose Bowl.

For California (0-8, 1-10), it's a chance to salvage what has been a dreadful year. "You can go 1-11 and if that win is the Big Game, you save your season a little bit," Trojan said.

For Stanford (6-2 in the Pac-12, 8-2 overall) it's a chance to jump back on the yellow brick road toward a berth in a premier bowl game.

"It's Cal," said Trojan, who grew in Southern California firmly entrenched in the UCLA-USC quarrel. "There's no problem getting excited to play your rival. It's a chance to keep the axe and dominate Northern California."

Stanford had lost two of its previous three games; Cal had won its previous two games, including a convincing victory over UCLA.

Last year's game featured Josh Nunes at quarterback, Zach Ertz at tight end and Stepfan Taylor rushing for his career-high. Tyler Gaffney was off playing baseball and Kevin Hogan was still a gleam in Shaw's overall point of view. Stanford was ranked No. 22.

"It's all about tangible evidence," Trojan said. "We're playing for a trophy. You know they are going to give us their shot."

The Earth's axis bent a little bit when the Big Game was held in October, for the only time, last year under the guise of the Pac-12 Network's television contract. The world returns to its proper position this time around.

"This game should be played in November," Cardinal coach David Shaw said. "People on both sides are doing what they can to keep it late. It's going to be a Big Game atmosphere."

The Cardinal started its eight-game winning streak with its 21-3 win over the Bears last year. California finished the year with five consecutive losses.

There is nothing routine about Big Game Week at Stanford