No. 7 Stanford (2-0) vs. UCLA (2-1)
Times staff writer Ben Bolch analyzes today’s game:
Most intriguing story line:
Was it worth it? It’s time to find out whether UCLA’s off-season makeover, intended to beat the likes of Stanford, amounted to more than a little gloss and lots of toil. The most telling indicator could come along the offensive and defensive lines, where the Bruins hope to generate more push against a physically punishing team. UCLA’s conference opener should also reveal whether the Bruins have a realistic chance of their first conference title since 1998. UCLA pass offense vs. Stanford pass defense: Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen continues to be hard on himself after both victory and defeat. His latest bit of self-criticism came after passing for 307 yards and two touchdowns in a triumph over Brigham Young. Rosen said his feet were too jittery and he was “pocket moving away from ghosts at times,” leading to some rushed throws. The pass rushers Stanford sends will be very real. The Cardinal rank No. 28 in the nation in pass efficiency defense and were so stifling last week against USC that the Trojans switched starting quarterbacks a few days later. EDGE: UCLA.
UCLA run offense vs. Stanford run defense: This is a classic strength versus weakness matchup, with UCLA expected to emerge on the wrong end. The Bruins are averaging 131.3 yards rushing per game, ranking No. 102 out of 128 major-college teams. Stanford allows only 104.5 yards per game, ranking No. 29 in rushing defense. One factor that could help UCLA is the potential for its full complement of running backs to play for the first time this season. Nate Starks was held out of the first two games and Soso Jamabo, the team’s leading rusher with 181 yards and three touchdowns in two games, was unavailable against BYU last week. EDGE: Stanford.
Stanford pass offense vs.
UCLA pass defense: Kevin Hogan can no longer torment the Bruins after going 5-0 against them as the Cardinal quarterback. His successor, Ryan Burns, hasn’t thrown more than 18 passes in a game because of Stanford’s commitment to its power running game. The Cardinal have averaged only 134.5 passing yards per game, ranking No. 122 in the nation, and probably don’t care as long as they continue to win. UCLA finally pressured a quarterback last week, sacking BYU’s Taysom Hill four times. Bruins safety Adarius Pickett also made his second interception of the season as part of a secondary that continues to be the primary strength of the defense. EDGE: UCLA.
Stanford run offense vs.
UCLA run defense: The Bruins might feel like beachgoers watching a tsunami surging ashore. They know what’s coming — wave after wave of Christian McCaffrey — but could be powerless to stop it. McCaffrey has averaged 145 yards rushing per game and has also been the Cardinal’s leading receiver, somehow getting left uncovered on one reception last week against USC. UCLA’s run defense made its season debut last week against BYU after no-shows in the first two games, holding the Cougars to 23 yards rushing. Part of its success was having linebacker Jayon Brown shadow Hill, a plan the Bruins could replicate with McCaffrey. EDGE: Stanford.
Special teams: McCaffrey returns kickoffs and punts, giving the Bruins incentive to aim kicks out of bounds. UCLA’s Ishmael Adams hasn’t been the expected fear factor, averaging 3.3 yards on punt returns and 21 yards on kickoff returns. Stanford kicker Conrad Ukropina has made all three of his field goals this season and could feel at home in the Rose Bowl because he’s from Pasadena. His UCLA counterpart, J.J. Molson, has made four of six field-goal attempts, missing from 48 and 38 yards. EDGE: Stanford.
Ben Bolch’s pick: Eight is enough. Or is it? Stanford’s winning streak against UCLA might feel like it’s going to stretch into the next millennium, but the Cardinal have looked somewhat blah during season-opening victories over Kansas State and USC. Here’s guessing that the Bruins get on the right side of the rivalry for the first time since Kevin Craft fired a touchdown pass to Cory Harkey in the final seconds of a 2008 triumph at the Rose Bowl. UCLA 27, Stanford 24