Why UCLA vs Cal is must-watch in Week 1: New coaches and a Pac-12 after dark revival
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LOS ANGELES — When most people are getting ready for bed after the first full Saturday of the 2026 college football season, they may get a late night call just before the head hits the pillow.
You may be tired, but something encourages you to check it. Actually, you should probably pick up the call. Why?
Because Pac-12 after dark is back – sort of – and it’s begging for your attention with a juicy offer hard to refuse.
No little number signifying rank is needed by the names of the teams playing one of the most intriguing matchups of Week 1, a rivalry reborn in Cal taking on UCLA that opens a new era at both schools, with a lot riding on its first 60 minutes.
These schools are no strangers to each other, the two pillars of the University of California system that have fought over being ranked the top public university in the U.S. in the classroom and on the field. Now, they meet as non-conference opponents with the Bruins of the Big Ten and the Golden Bears of the ACC.
But while the look is different, the feud remains.
In fact, it's only intensified.
There isn’t much love lost over why they are no longer in the same conference. Much of the Cal fanbase, or #Calgorithm, remains upset UCLA played a pivotal role in the eventual demise of the traditional Pac-12. It forced other members to find new homes, and Cal only found sanctuary in the Atlantic Coast – where nearly every other team is at least 2,000 miles away.
A move that was so controversial, California’s government got involved. The UC Board of Regents eventually decided UCLA must send Cal’s athletic department $10 million for three years to make up lost revenue – now known as Calimony.
“I don't know if I would have agreed to that,” said UCLA coach Bob Chesney to The California Post. “But that's I guess how it all went down. So is what it is.”
Thus fuel was added to the fire. Cal fans mad about UCLA's flight, with the Bruin faithful feeling Cal admitted to being little brother with Calimony. The bickering hasn’t stopped since they last played in 2023, with the ensuing break snapping a 91-year streak of playing against each other. It was expected to ramp up with them meeting again in 2026 in the first of a four-game series. However, the talk has been louder than anticipated – and there’s plenty of reason for it.
UCLA and Cal enter the season at critical junctures, bringing in new coaches to revitalize their programs. They’ve been middling at best in recent years, but Chesney and Cal coach Tosh Lupoi have brought the juice to their respective programs that gives plenty of optimism times are changing.
Lupoi struck gold in ensuring quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele stayed after his impressive freshman campaign. Chesney praised the QB, saying he is “just a kid that is very hard to fluster.”
Cal also assembled a transfer class that was 14th-best heading into Lupoi's debut season, according to 247Sports.
Coming off taking James Madison to the College Football Playoff, Chesney had a similar arrival. He retained Nico Iamaleava and brought over several key contributors to the Dukes’ playoff run.
With the offseason both places had, why wouldn’t fans think they are on the cusp of a breakout season?
Both have the potential, but it has to start with a 1-0 record.
“You always want to start off with a win,” Chesney said. “I think that's a big deal.”
As the home team, Cal certainly understands the opportunity awaiting in Strawberry Canyon. It has spent all summer hyping up the game, and it's worked; it will be a near sellout in California Memorial Stadium, with the tarps that have long covered empty sections coming off.
Given the recent discourse about California college football attendance, Lupoi noted it will be a “completely different environment here.” Chesney said he’s been told a strong UCLA contingent will be making the trip.
“We want everybody in their seats, ready to go and to join this fight with us,” Lupoi said.
As if the chance wasn’t already golden enough, there’s also personal interest. UCLA has five former Cal players on its roster, including running back Jaivian Thomas, who said he’s had the date circled “since I found out we was playing Cal,” mentioning some friendly trash talk with his former teammates.
A loss won’t be the end of the world for either side's season, but would be a derailment to the hype train. The loser will be relegated back to still not a legit contender status, and will have to try to wrangle back all the fans that were on the fence, while the winner gets the full buy-in.
“You should be really excited about what you're going to see on Saturday,” said Sagapolutele. “You're going to want to keep coming to our games for sure.”
Incredibly high stakes right off the bat, and if we remember anything from the good ol’ Pac-12 after dark days, chaos is certainly in store. You may kill the conference, but not the idea.
So go ahead, pick up that late night call. You’d be remiss to miss out on the excitement.
“It's nothing like the Pac-12 after dark games,” said UCLA defensive back Roderick Pleasant. “It's going to be a fun show.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why UCLA vs Cal is must-watch in Week 1: New coaches and a Pac-12 after dark revival
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