No. 11 Stanford (9-2, 7-1 Pac-12) at No. 15 UCLA (9-2, 6-2 Pac-12)

Kickoff: Saturday, 6:30 p.m. ET (Fox)

Spread: Stanford by 1.5

Watchability: From some viewpoints, the game of the week. Yes, Oregon-Oregon State should be thrilling, and USC-Notre Dame is always exciting, but once more, the contrast of styles makes this game particularly intriguing. Stanford's thunder beat the Ducks' lightning last week, and now QB Brett Hundley, RB Johnathan Franklin and Co. will get their crack at the hulking Cardinal.

Shining Stars: Stanford -- RB Stepfan Taylor. Taylor was perhaps at his best on Saturday in Stanford's huge upset of top-ranked Oregon, even though he had no touchdowns and it was just his third-best game in terms of yardage. But what the stats don't reveal is the true impact of his 33-carry performance: keeping the Ducks off the field. He was consistent and he was good and he was consistently good, as he has been all season, and that was crucial to winning the tempo game. UCLA -- LB Anthony Barr. In just his first season on the defensive side, after two years stuck in the quagmire that was the F-back position in the Pistol offense, Barr has blossomed into the Pac-12's most exciting linebacker. He attacks the edge like a sushi chef attacks eel, slicing through it before a tackle can get into his drop-step, and that's the reason he leads the conference and is tied for third nationally in sacks with 12.

Who could steal the show: Stanford -- LB Trent Murphy. On a team with a growing reputation of churning out stud linebackers, Murphy has gone a bit unnoticed. Not any more. He has seven sacks and 10 total TFL in his last six games, and he could give the Bruins' young offensive line fits with the delayed blitz. UCLA -- WR Shaquelle Evans. Like Taylor against Oregon, the Bruins' shifty receiver did not score against USC and has had more prolific games. But, again like Taylor, Evans helped the Bruins control the game, catching eight passes for 114 yards in a variety of patterns. 

You going? Ranking the road trip: Absolutely. The UCLA faithful have proven what -- here's a shocker! -- winning can do to a program. The Rose Bowl has been electric in recent weeks, and with the big, bad Duck-drowning Cardinal coming to town in what could be a conference title preview, it should be on fire once more.

Magic number for Stanford: 40.8. The imposing Cardinal defense held the scorching Ducks to 14 points, almost 41(!) below their season average. If Stanford mounts a similar defense, UCLA is in trouble. It only averages 37.7 points per game. Can you score negative-three points?

Magic number for UCLA: 10. Perhaps the most inspiring stat from UCLA's first season under Jim Mora is a reflection of the balance. The Bruins rank in the upper-third in the conference in 10 statistical categories, including passing efficiency (third), sacks (fourth), net punting (first) and scoring offense (second).

The game comes down to: Razzle-dazzle versus beef and brawn. The Cardinal are the more physical, stronger, bigger team and they can use two talented tight ends to toy with UCLA. The Bruins are faster, quicker and shiftier and they can use Franklin and the multi-talented Hundley to hit the edge in a hurry. Whichever team gets more out of its strengths will win.

Prediction: UCLA 24, Stanford 17

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