UCLA @ Stanford preview
Stanford Stadium
Last Meeting ( Nov 24, 2012 ) Stanford 35, UCLA 17
In a game few expected and under very unusual circumstances, No. 8 Stanford will play No. 16 UCLA for the second time in less than a week Friday in the Pac-12 Conference championship game with a Rose Bowl berth on the line. While conference championship games have brought about the possibility of meeting one opponent twice in the same season, it is extremely rare the same two schools could face each other twice over the course of six days. Entering the season, it seemed just as unlikely this game would feature anyone else beside Oregon and USC, but late-season losses to the Cardinal and Bruins, respectively, set the stage for UCLA to clinch its berth in the title game a week early while Stanford needed a win over the Bruins last week in order to hold off the Ducks in the North Division. And the Cardinal took advantage of the opportunity, trouncing UCLA 35-17 in Pasadena.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, Fox. LINE: Stanford -8.5
ABOUT UCLA (9-3, 6-3 Pac-12): Running back Johnathan Franklin needs 18 all-purpose yards to break Maurice Jones-Drew's school record and 66 yards rushing to set the Bruins’ single-season mark held by Karim Abdul-Jabbar. However, Franklin will have his work cut out for him against the nation’s top rushing defense – the same one that held him to 65 yards last week. Athletic freshman quarterback Brett Hundley was sacked seven times in the loss to the Cardinal, but is also on the brink of breaking several school records, including single-season total offense (needs 137 yards), passing yardage (236) and completions (27).
ABOUT STANFORD (10-2, 8-1): The Cardinal have won eight straight games and already secured a 10-win season for the third consecutive year – a school-record. Since Kevin Hogan replaced Josh Nunes in the win over Colorado on Nov. 3, the freshman quarterback has directed his team to victories over three ranked teams - Oregon State, Oregon and UCLA - in his first three career starts. Stepfan Taylor raised his career rushing total to 4,134 yards in the victory over UCLA and needs 36 yards in the rematch to break Darrin Nelson’s school record (1977-81).
EXTRA POINTS
1. Stanford has won eight straight and 19 of its past 20 home games.
2. UCLA’s four road wins this season are its most since winning five in 2002.
3. The Bruins and Cardinal will be playing for their first Rose Bowl berth since 1999 and 2000, respectively.
PREDICTION: Stanford 30, UCLA 24