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UCLA Football Early 2018 Schedule Preview: Stanford Cardinal

By Mike Regalado

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 01: Head coach David Shaw of the Stanford Cardinal looks on from the sidelines against the USC Trojans during the Pac-12 Football Championship game at Levi's Stadium on December 1, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. The Trojans won the game 31-28. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 01: Head coach David Shaw of the Stanford Cardinal looks on from the sidelines against the USC Trojans during the Pac-12 Football Championship game at Levi's Stadium on December 1, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. The Trojans won the game 31-28. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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SAN ANTONIO, TX – DECEMBER 28: Bryce Love #20 of the Stanford Cardinal rushes past Travin Howard #32 of the TCU Horned Frogs for a touchdown in the first quarter during the Valero Alamo Bowl at the Alamodome on December 28, 2017 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX – DECEMBER 28: Bryce Love #20 of the Stanford Cardinal rushes past Travin Howard #32 of the TCU Horned Frogs for a touchdown in the first quarter during the Valero Alamo Bowl at the Alamodome on December 28, 2017 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Stanford Offense

The Cardinal have a lot of consistency going for them as they return their starting quarterback, their Heisman attention-getting runningback, two of their top receivers and four solid offensive linemen.

Everything starts with their QB and even better, Shaw only has one QB to choose from. Last year saw a battle between Keller Chryst and KJ Costello. Though Chryst was supposed to lead this team, it did not happen. Costello had stepped in and had a better handle on things. That forced Chryst to transfer to Tennessee and Stanford can focus on getting their offense to move forward.

That will not be a problem, especially on the ground as Bryce Love will carry the rock for the Cardinal for another season. This kid is a force to be reckoned with and now that he is a year older, expect him to get a lot of yards, a lot of attention and a lot of support. Though Love should have a similar season to his 2,118 rushing yards season from last year, he will have help on the wings.

Stanford 2017 Offensive Stats

Total Offense Passing Offense Rushing Offense Scoring Offense
 388.6 (10th) 186.3 (11th) 202.4 (3rd) 32.4 (6th)

( ) – denotes ranking in the TEAM CONFERENCE

Stanford has a loaded receiving corps as they return their top four pass catchers from last season. Though they had the 11th best passing offense in the Pac-12, they were very good at getting yards in chunks.

They will be led by the big and athletic JJ Arcega-Whiteside who grabbed 781 yards through the air and averaged 16.3 yards per catch and pulled in 9 touchdowns. Trent Irwin (461 yds, 10.7 per catch), Kedan Smith (414 yards, 18.0 per catch), and Connor Wedington (243, 7.8 per catch).

Needless to say, they are going to be a very balanced team that is effective through both the air and on the ground. What also helps with this is the fact that they return four out of the five offensive linemen from last season that made the All-Pac-12 team. They are big and they are experienced, meaning they might improve off of their 202.4 rushing yards per game (3rd in the Pac-12).

So what does this mean for UCLA? For one thing, they better hope that their run defense has severely improved because this front line is going to push some people back and Love is going to burst through that line for some big yards. Hopefully, UCLA limits Stanford to less than 405 rushing yards, the amount they gave up to the Cardinal last year. If they want to stop Stanford, they are going to have to be creative and try to limit the QBs oppotunities.