.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
Know Your Opponent: UCLA Football vs Stanford Cardinal
Sep 17, 2016; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal wide receiver Michael Rector (3) celebrates scoring a touchdown against the USC Trojans with Stanford Cardinal fullback Daniel Marx (35) during a NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium. Stanford won 27-10. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Last week the UCLA Football squad demonstrated their growth on both sides of the ball as they traveled to Provo, Utah and knocked off the BYU Cougars. This week the Bruins are at home but face their biggest test of the season when the Stanford Cardinal come calling.
The 2015 match up between these two teams was unkind to the Bruins to say the least. The UCLA Football team was beaten 35-56 and it wasn’t even that close. It was another loss to a Cardinal team that has beaten the Bruins nine times in the past eight years. It goes without saying Jim Mora has been unable to knock off the Cardinal during his tenure in Westwood. That’s something that has not gone unnoticed by the Bruin faithful.
The Bruins were able to keep last season’s game close only through the first quarter before surrendering 21 points in both the second and third quarter. Not combined in those two quarters but in each one. The Bruins could only muster 20 points through three quarters. The silver lining to that game was the Stanford offense was silenced in the fourth and the Bruins scored 15 points to end the game. However that’s not much to get excited about. What was good to see was the fight that UCLA QB Josh Rosen showed by continuing to sling the ball despite the grim situation.
On Saturday the Bruins open their PAC-12 schedule in dramatic fashion by trying to knock off the team that has plagued them for almost a decade.
The Cardinal are coming off a strong win over the Trojans last week where star running back Christian McCaffrey went over 200 all purpose yards like clock work. Stanford has only had two games this season while the Bruins just wrapped up game three.
UCLA is hoping to make game number four, victory number three. To do that, they’ll need to know all they can about their opponent.
Sep 17, 2016; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) rushes against USC Trojans defensive back Marvell Tell III (7) during the first half of a NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Stanford Offense
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past two seasons you know the one guy that makes this offense go is stud RB McCaffrey. With a combination of size, speed, vision and burst rarely seen, it’s no wonder the Cardinal want to get him the ball as often as they can.
Offensive coordinator Mike Bloomgren calls a conservative but quintessentially Cardinal one. The Stanford offense is predicated on power, execution, and efficiency. With a powerful and deep offensive line, the Cardinal are often able to impose their will on opponents. The bread and butter of this offense is the run game. The Cardinal use it from almost every formation you can think of whether it be the power-I, the pistol, four wide or even direct snaps to the running back.
There’s plenty of power calls with pulling interior linemen and even a sprinkle of read option in the gameplan.
Led by senior quarterback Ryan Burns who earned his first start when Stanford kicked off the season, this unit is just limited to running the ball. Burns who measures in at 6’4″ 232lbs, has a strong arm and although not a burner has the ability to move the chains with his legs. He’s accurate with his throws but is still is green.
The Cardinal have always had a plethora of tight ends and this season is no different where they can lineup in three tight end formations. Not only do they function as extra blockers but they account for a huge chunk of offensive production. That is of course providing they actually throw the ball.
More from Go Joe Bruin
In two games this season the Cardinal have logged 33 passing attempts for a total of 269 yards. Most offenses average that per game. What most teams do not average is 11.69 yards per pass completion. Clearly when the Cardinal throw the ball they make it count. This stems from teams being so focused on stopping the run that they are willing to take a hit in the passing department.
They also like to get the ball into their playmaker’s hands and that can lead to some tricky formations. One they used a few times against Kansas State was a stacked formation outside with speedster Michael Rector lined up in front of McCaffrey who was split out wide. This alignment is especially difficult for defenses to combat because there is no way to press both receivers and one of them will by default have a free release. The corner has to decide at the line who to take and if he takes the man in front, McCaffrey will be wide open. If he covers McCaffrey, Rector will be open for an intermediate throw.
How does UCLA’s defense stack up against this? Well the Bruins displayed more of an attacking look up front last week against BYU. In addition to penetrating into the backfield more, they were stout across the line and used their speed to string out running plays which is one way to contain this Stanford running game.
They also were able to spy BYU QB Taysom Hill and keep him from making too much happen with his legs. That will be vital this week against an opportunistic runner in Burns.
Lastly, the UCLA secondary has been hyped as one of the best in the country and will need to show it against the Cardinal. While mostly quiet, the Stanford wideouts are talented but have limited opportunities in an offense that wants to keep Burns from having to sling it all over the place. Should the Bruins force the Cardinal to throw more often, they have the talent to stick with the receivers.
Sep 17, 2016; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal safety Zach Hoffpauir (10) (left) celebrates stopping the USC Trojans on fourth down with Cardinal cornerback Quenton Meeks (24) during the second half of a NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium. Stanford won 27-10. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Stanford Defense
Playing out of a base 3-4 defense, the Cardinal will give multiple looks up front but are content to just out physical opposing offenses. Their front seven has long been the strength of the team but this year they have have a few cracks in their armor.
Along the defensive line Solomon Thomas is a physical monster capable of pushing the pocket and being stout in the run game. His wingspan is impressive and he can bring down ball carriers with just an arm tackle. His running mate Harrison Phillips missed last week against the Trojans with a knee injury but is probable for Saturday. Although not a prototypical nose tackle, Phillips pushes the pocket from inside and can make life hell for opposing interior linemen.
At the linebacker position it seems like the Cardinal have taken a step back. Not that these linebackers aren’t good but they are a far cry from the names like Martinez and Skov. In the interior Noor Davis and Sean Barton play tackle to tackle but do not have elite speed to get to the numbers. Barton doesn’t have the biggest size inside but Davis fits the bill of a traditional “Buck” linebacker. On the outside both Mike Tyler and Casey Toohill are better against the run than rushing the passer but both are serviceable. Toohill was able to get a sack last week against the Trojans but doesn’t posses an elite first step and is more of an effort rusher.
The secondary features some big names and even bigger hitters. The Cardinal have a couple long guys on the outside. Quenton Meeks is a lengthy corner with plenty of speed. While still young, he should continue to develop into one of the top corners in the PAC-12. On the other side, Alijah Holder uses his 6’2″ frame to blanket receivers and both he and Meeks are not shy about tackling in the run game.
Stanford will bring some pressures from the secondary or play a safety in the box to act like another linebacker. However it is the technique and execution they operate with that makes them so difficult to beat.
How does the UCLA offense stack up? Well the Bruins have a stable of backs but need to improve their offensive line play especially in the interior. The Cardinal do not have major size in their front seven but they are strong and disciplined. However Kansas State was able to find some success running the ball between the tackles out of two by two receiver sets. If the Bruins can spread this defense out, they’ll be able to move the ball much more easily.
Outside the Bruin receivers haven’t blown anyone away but will really need to bring their A game this Saturday. Gaining separation will be key to giving Rosen some easy targets early on. Protecting the ball will be key for all skill players. Any turnovers will give the Cardinal additional possessions and ball control is what they strive for.
Sep 17, 2016; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal team prepares to enter the field prior to a NCAA football game against the USC Trojans at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction
The Bruins have a well documented struggle with the Cardinal as of late. If they are going to win the PAC-12 the road goes through Stanford. UCLA hasn’t looked like world beaters this season but there was tons of improvement on both sides of the ball last week against BYU. That kind of success can carry over from week to week and carry a season.
More from Go Joe Bruin
Don’t get me wrong, the Cardinal offense will be able to move the ball. They’ll be able to score points and they will be able to make life difficult for Rosen and company. Stanford will be the toughest remaining team on UCLA’s schedule by a mile and the Bruins will have to overcome the penalties, poor execution and the coaching mishaps that have plagued them in years past if they are going to get this monkey off their back.
The Bruins won’t just take a page from Stanford’s playbook but will take it to the Xerox machine. A heavy dose of the run game that leads to play-action pass will be the key to taking pressure off a UCLA offensive line that hasn’t quite found it’s way yet. Rosen has the ability and the pass catchers to make a little magic happen if he can only get the time.
Defensively UCLA knows the Cardinal do not want to wind up in a shootout but they should equally be as worried about ground warfare. If UCLA can slow the Cardinal running game and win time of possession for their offense, they will go a long way in helping to secure a win.
No In-Editor Preview for 120 Sports Videos
In what turns out to be a much closer game than most anticipate, the Bruins finally knock off the Stanford Cardinal and get that much closer to a PAC-12 championship proving pundits, fans, media and myself wrong about this season’s ceiling.
This article originally appeared on 
