To people who haven’t received the memo yet, here’s the clear message: Christian McCaffrey is damn good. Priced at +600 to win the Heisman Trophy this season, McCaffrey almost single-handedly beat USC last Saturday with another dazzling all-around performance, rushing for 172 yards with a touchdown and catching three passes for 66 yards to go with a score in a 27-10 victory.
McCaffrey is poised to wreak havoc on UCLA’s defense next Saturday, something he’d already before. The do-it-all McCaffrey set the turf on fire in Stanford’s 56-35 win over UCLA last season, rushing for 243 yards and finishing with 369 all-purpose yards. UCLA’s defense can get the job done but McCaffrey’s the rare talent that can put any unit who tries to stop him to shame.
With UCLA’s focus definitely on McCaffrey, this is the perfect time for other Stanford pieces to step up—like the Cardinal’s defense. Stanford’s D has been nearly impenetrable thus far this year, allowing just 11.5 points per game. Disarming UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen is going to be critical for Stanford.
Stanford is 4-0 ATS in its last four games dating back to last season.
Are the Bruins ready to face again their worst nightmare of last season in McCaffrey?
UCLA readied itself for a clash with Stanford this Saturday with a close 17-14 win against BYU last week. The Bruins’ defense showed both the good and the ugly side of it against the Cougars, holding BYU scoreless in the first half before allowing 14 straight points in the second.
Nevertheless, it remains clear that the Bruins have the defense to slow down opponents and it’ll have to do just that against Stanford this coming Saturday.
The offense will see lots of usage of Josh Rosen, who played huge against BYU, passing for 307 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Rosen is enjoying a receiving corps flush with talent, as evidenced by the 12 players that had at least a reception in the BYU game.
Rosen is a gifted passer who is quick to find open receivers, which includes the dangerous Darren Andrews. Andrews had 91 receiving yards with a TD on four receptions against BYU.
