MATCHUPS: UCLA (2-1, 0-0) at Stanford (1-2, 0-1)
Tonight, 7:30, Stanford Stadium, Palo Alto. TV: ESPN. Radio: 570.
Marquee matchup
UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen vs. the Stanford secondary. The Bruins probably won’t be able to produce the kind of clock-burning run game that helped USC and San Diego State engineer victories over the Cardinal, putting the burden on Rosen to be almost perfect. That means no throwing across his body or forcing passes into coverage, which were issues toward the end of UCLA’s loss to Memphis. But it’s hard to find much fault with someone who has passed for 13 touchdowns with only two interceptions in three games.
Getting offensive
UCLA (564 ypg/48.7
ppg): The Bruins hope the strides they’ve made in the run game continue after going from 63 yards against Texas A&M to 132 vs. Hawaii to 170 against Memphis. A capable run game would make an offense that ranks seventh nationally in yards per game and eighth in scoring — thanks largely to Rosen — all the more dynamic. Stanford (417.3 ypg/34.3 ppg): All you need is Love? It certainly seems that way for the Cardinal offense, which has relied heavily on tailback Bryce Love amid inconsistency from quarterback Keller Chryst. Last week against San Diego State, Chryst had two interceptions, lost a fumble and completed only eight of 19 passes. Meanwhile, Love has averaged 174.7 yards rushing per game.
Getting defensive
UCLA (515.3 ypg/38.3 ppg): The struggles have
been almost universal for a Bruins team that ranks 121st in scoring defense and 122nd in yards allowed. UCLA also has only three sacks over its last two games. Stanford (405.7 ypg/23
ppg): The Cardinal were weak against the run during losses to USC and San Diego State, though much of that was attributable to the powerful tailbacks they faced. Stanford gave up a combined 473 yards on the ground in those two games.
Something special
UCLA hasn’t had much of a return game, averaging minus-half a yard on its two punt returns and 19.7 yards on kickoff returns .... Stanford’s Jet Toner has made all four of his field goal attempts and Jake Bailey is averaging 45.1 yards a punt.
Of note
UCLA linebacker Krys Barnes leads the team with 18 tackles — all over the last two games — after having three in his career .... Chryst is last among Pac-12 Conference quarterbacks in pass efficiency, having completed 52.8% of his passes for 497 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions.
Local ties
Among Stanford’s regular contributors are five players with Southern California roots. Offensive lineman David Bright is from Yorba Linda, receiver Trent Irwin is from Valencia, fullback Daniel Marx is from Trabuco Canyon, linebacker Bobby Okereke is from Santa Ana and tight end Colby Parkinson is from Simi Valley.