Wary Bruins do not want to look past Cal
This is a dangerous week for UCLA. TheNo. 11Bruins have a chance to join the elite … but not this Saturday. Road games against No. 5 Stanford (Oct. 19) and No. 2 Oregon (Oct. 26) could get UCLA into the national championship discussion. First, though, comes a home game Saturday night against lowly California. Somemightcall thisabyeweek. The Bruins call it trouble. The Golden Bears are 1-4, with their onlywincomingagainstPortland State … by seven points. UCLA opened as a 231⁄ 2- point favorite against California and that has gone up to 251⁄ at the Wynn 2 sports book. So it’s time to start talking about the Stanford game, right? “We’ve got to get that buzz and stop it cold,” Bruins junior linebacker EricKendricks said. These Bruins are wary. A year ago, they toddled off to Berkeley with a 4-1 record and were embarrassed, 43-17. “Any time someone beats you, you kind of want to play them a little tougher,” senior linebacker Anthony Barr said. Barr said keeping minds from wandering past this Saturday “is something we’re going to have to address and stress this week. This is the biggest game on our schedule.” As talking points go, the Bears don’t offermuch in support of that, judging by their national rankings. They are 122nd out of 123 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in points allowed (48.8), 121st in total yards allowed (524.0), 110th in rushing yards (219.8) and 115th in passing yards allowed (304.2). On top of that, the Bears are so depleted at defensive back that receivers Chris Harper Bryce and Treggs may have their roles expanded to cornerback. California was down to three healthy cornerbacks in a 44-22 loss toWashington State on Saturday. “I think from here on out, we can’t take anyone lightly,” UCLA safety Anthony Jefferson said. “Especially Cal. They beat us last year.” That will be the running theme for the Bruins this week. The loss last season “wasn’t pretty,” quarterback Brett Hundley said. He also said this year’s UCLA team” is more comfortable with wherewe’re at. We adjust better.” Plus, the Bears no longer have the same defensive coordinator. Clancy Pendergast, whose scheme so befuddled the Bruins last season, is nowat USC. The Bears can be an offensive threat. First-year Coach Sonny Dykes brought in a life-in-the-fastlane offense and turned it over to quarterback Jared Goff, a firstyear freshman. Goff is averaging 364.2 yards passing per game, third-most in the nation. “They run an extreme tempo,” Barr said. “They can go off for 50 points just like that.” And, it seems, give that up just as quickly.
McCarthy is injured
Bruins defensive lineman Ellis McCarthy missed practice Monday because of an undisclosed injury. McCarthy started at left defensiveendthe first fourgames. Ifheis unable to play, first-year freshman Eddie Vanderdoes probably will start. LosingMcCarthy hurtsUCLA’s depth. TheBruins rotate defensive linemenliberally, somethingthat is even more vital against an up-tempo teamsuch as California. The Bruins lost two other key players in Thursday’s win against Utah. TorianWhite, UCLA’s starting left tackle, broke a bone in his leg and tore a ligament. He is out for the season. Running back Jordon James, the team’s leading rusher, suffered an ankle injury and is not expected to play this week. chris.foster@latimes.com Twitter: @cfosterlatimes