UCLA vs. Stanford: TV Schedule, Live Streaming, Radio, Game Time and More

After a week to prepare for life without LB Shayne Skov, are the Cardinals' ready?

We’ll find out soon enough as they welcome the UCLA Bruins to Palo Alto sporting a two game win streak in the series.

QB Andrew Luck and Co. are averaging 46 points a game and look every bit as good as the Orange Bowl winning unit from a year ago.

It’s the defense that is a concern. Skov hurt his knee in their last game against Arizona and the leading tackler from a year ago is lost for the season. Not good considering UCLA is second in the Pac-12, averaging 214 yards on the ground.

Is it enough to pull off the monumental upset?

Where: Stanford Stadium

When: Saturday, Oct. 1, 10:30 p.m. EST

Watch: FSN

Live Stream: ESPN3

Radio: 970 Fox Sports, 610 KAVL, 90.1 KZSU

Betting Line: Stanford -20.5 Over/Under 55.5 (Odds courtesy of Covers.com)

I would advise taking the Bruins, as this spread seems too high for a Cardinal team that just lost their best defensive player.

Take the under based on these two stats:

Under is 8-1 in the last 9 meetings.

Under is 23-7-1 in UCLA last 31 conference games.

UCLA Injury Report:

Jonathan Franklin- hamstring (probable)

Tony Dye- shoulder (probable)

Andrew Abbott- concussion (questionable)

Stanford Injury Report:

Coby Fleener- concussion (questionable)

Chris Owusu- shoulder (questionable)

Shayne Skov- knee (out)

BCS/Bowl Implications:

No. 5 Stanford is the only team that can be affected in this one. The Cardinal can hold on to their spot with a win (or even move up if one of the four teams ahead of them lose), but really only are in danger of suffering a severe drop if the Bruins are able to pull off the upset.

At 2-2, UCLA isn’t even close to sniffing the rankings.

Key Storyline:

How will the Cardinal D respond without Skov? The Bruins will be putting a heavy emphasis on the run and the last thing they can afford is giving them an early lead with the opportunity to eat clock and keep Luck on the sidelines.  

The Cardinals offense needs to be assertive early to ensure this game turns into one with a lot of possessions. The more scoring opportunities the better for this high-powered offense.

What They’re Saying:

Stanford safety Michael Thomas:

He's the emotional leader of the defense. You can't replace that.

Thomas is speaking about Skov, their vocal leader that led the team with 84 tackles a year ago.

UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel:

"

I know there are people who will say it wasn't this and wasn't that, but ultimately when you come away with a victory, you just feel like more is possible. Our guys are energized. They're looking forward to this week of practice. There will be a bounce in their step. It doesn't mean any extra points on Saturday, but you can feel good things are on the horizon.

"

Key Matchup:

UCLA Secondary vs. Stanford offense.

We all know how great Luck is, but can the Bruins defense come through? QBs Case Keenum and Garrett Gilbert have torched them, as the defense looked a step slower to react then you would like.

This will be their most difficult test yet and they need to create pressure on Luck to force him into a bad decision.

If they can’t get any pressure on Luck, he will systematically pick them apart. The Bruins secondary isn’t that good.

But if they can bring the heat and force the issue, the opportunistic Bruins corners will make this game a nail-biter.

Prediction: Stanford 36 UCLA 21