The #15 Stanford Cardinal has vaulted back to the fringes of the College Football Playoff picture with a four-game winning streak. The #18 UCLA Bruins are looking to get back into that conversation following October 3rd's deflating 38-23 home loss to Arizona State. Thursday night's game has huge Pac-12 implications as well, with both teams jockeying for position in their respective divisions. Who's got the edge? Here's our
Line: Stanford by 7
What's The Stakes?
Stanford sits at 3-0 in the conference and currently has the inside track for a Pac-12 North title with each of the other five teams having suffered at least one loss. Running the table would guarantee them a spot in the conference championship game. UCLA, on the other hand, sits in the middle of the South pack and needs a win to keep pace with undefeated Utah.
Key To The Game:
Stanford has won each of its last four games by an average of 22.5 points and has seen their offense click more and more efficiently every time out. If UCLA is going to have a chance at a road upset, they're going to need to get early pressure on Cardinal QB Kevin Hogan and force Stanford to play one-dimensional football with the run game. If UCLA can get things to where they can stack the box with seven to eight guys, they've got a chance to slow down the Cardinal's power run game. If not, Stanford will kill the Bruins with balance.
What They're Saying About UCLA:
Stanford's impact on Jim Mora's coaching tenure
Sizing up a key Pac-12 showdown
What They're Saying About Stanford:
Can Stanford's power run game take over?
Offensive efficiency key for Stanford
Prediction: Stanford 28, UCLA 24
These two teams are more evenly matched than the seven-point line suggests. UCLA QB Josh Rosen will help the Bruins beat the spread, but Kevin Hogan will be able to air it out just enough to open up holes for the running game down the stretch. The Cardinal hold on for another season-altering victory.
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