Preview capsule
The preview capsule usually doesn't go up online, so I included it here. Also, here is today's notebook from the paper. I thought it was interesting, in that Stanford receiver Mark Bradford thought about transferring to UCLA, and there is also a Ryan Moya update.
No. 14 UCLA (0-0) vs. Stanford (0-0)
Kickoff: 12:30 p.m., Stanford Stadium, Stanford
TV/Radio: Fox Sports Net Prime/570-AM
UCLA wins if ...it doesn’t treat this game like a second-tier bowl game and think all it has to do is show up to win. …QB Ben Olson proves he has a firm grasp on the offense to take the pressure off TB Chris Markey. …The defense plays like it should. The Bruins should be one of the best in the Pacific-10 this season, but must tackle well and put pressure on QB T.C. Ostrander.
Top UCLA performers
Passing
Player Att. Comp. Yds. TD INT Lg
Ben Olson 124 79 822 5 5 46
Rushing
Player Car. Yds. Avg. TD Lg
Chris Markey 227 1,107 4.9 2 70
Kahlil Bell 60 239 4.0 2 32
Receiving
Player Rec. Yds. Avg. TD Lg
Chris Markey 35 261 7.5 0 28
Marcus Everett 31 450 14.5 5 54
Defense
DE Bruce Davis has the most sacks (12.5) of any returning player in the nation.
SS Chris Horton led the Bruins with 95 tackles in ’06.
*Statistics are for 2006
UCLA injury update: QB Patrick Cowan (hamstring), FB Michael Pitre (knee) and RB Chane Moline (hand) are out. C Chris Joseph (hip) is probable.
Stanford wins if ...First-year coach Jim Harbaugh was able to improve the talent immensely with one recruiting class and before coaching his first game. …The offensive line suddenly becomes a wall of granite. The Cardinal allowed 50 sacks last season. …The defense can get at least four turnovers and give its offense a short field. A score or two from the defense wouldn’t hurt, either.
Top Stanford performers
Passing
Player Att. Comp. Yds. TD INT Lg
T.C. Ostander 158 72 918 3 5 74
Rushing
Player Car. Yds. Avg. TD Lg
Anthony Kimble 114 470 4.1 2 58
Toby Gerhart 106 375 3.5 2 38
Receiving
Player Rec. Yds. Avg. TD Lg
Richard Sherman 34 581 17.1 3 74
Anthony Kimble 19 156 8.2 0 26
Defense
LB Clinton Snyder had 83 tackles in ’06.
DB Tim Sims had 54 tackles and tied for the team lead with 5.5 tackles for loss in ’06.
*Statistics are for 2006
Stanford injury update: FB Emeka Nnoli (hip/retired from football) and FB Sam Weinberger (unspecified) are out. WR Mark Bradford (knee) is probable.
Prediction: UCLA 35, Stanford 10
--Brian Dohn