FACTS & STATS: Site: Rose Bowl (91,500) -- Pasadena, California. Television:FSN. Home Record: Stanford 3-0, UCLA 2-2. Away Record: Stanford 1-3, UCLA 0-2. Neutral Record: Stanford 0-0, UCLA 0-0. Conference Record: Stanford 3-1, UCLA 1-2. Series Record: UCLA leads, 44-31-3.

GAME NOTES: The surprising Stanford Cardinal will try to continue their success in Pac-10 play this weekend, as they tangle with the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl. At 4-3 the Cardinal is off to its best seven-game start since 2005 and has already matched last season's win total. Last weekend, Stanford put its name in the mix for the Pac-10 title, as it stunned Arizona 24-23. It was the third win in four league outings this season for the Cardinal, which are now tied for second place in the Pac-10 with Oregon. As for UCLA, it took on Oregon last weekend and fell short in its upset bid, 31-24. The loss was the team's fourth in five games since opening the season with a 27-24 overtime triumph over Tennessee. The Bruins, now at 1-2 within the conference, return back to the Rose Bowl, where they have gone an even 2-2 thus far. UCLA leads the all-time series with Stanford by a 44-31-3 count and it has won the last four meetings between the programs.

Third-string quarterback Alex Loukas came off the bench and led the Cardinal on an 11-play, 60-yard drive that was capped with a game-winning one-yard touchdown run by Toby Gerhart in a 24-23 decision over Arizona this past weekend. Loukas gained 32 rushing yards and accounted for 53 yards on the decisive drive in replacement of second-string quarterback Jason Forcier, who was removed after throwing for just 18 yards and a pick. Forcier was thrust into action after starter Tavita Pritchard, who had thrown for 113 yards and a score, was knocked out of the game with a concussion in the first half. Listed as probably for this weekend, Pritchard is expected to start, but that may not be the best thing considering he has thrown just seven touchdowns against eight interceptions on the season. With Pritchard sidelined last game, Stanford turned to its ground attack to pick up the slack and Gerhart and Anthony Kimble both responded with 100-yard efforts. Gerhart led the charge with 116 yards and the one touchdown on 24 carries, while Kimble went for 110 yards and a score on 10 totes. For the season, Gerhart leads the squad with 641 yards and seven scores, and Kimble has provided a nice complement to him with 419 yards and three touchdowns. The duo are the primary reason why Stanford has been able to average a solid 184.1 rushing ypg for the year.

Stanford's defense also stepped up in last weekend's victory, as it limited Arizona to 16 first downs and 336 total yards. The unit was stout versus the run, giving up only 77 yards, and permitted just one touchdown to Arizona's offense. It was certainly a solid effort by the Cardinal, which has appeared vulnerable at times this season, allowing 27.0 ppg and 386.0 total ypg. Stanford didn't force a turnover last game, but it did register three sacks. That has been the trend this season for the Cardinal, as it has generated only eight turnovers, while picking up an impressive 19 sacks. Erik Lorig accounted for two of the team's sacks versus Arizona, while Pat Maynor had two TFLs. Maynor has been especially effective for the Cardinal this season and he leads the squad with 54 tackles, 6.5 TFLs and four sacks.

The Bruins have had their fare share of struggles on offense this season and they come into the contest averaging only 20.0 ppg and just 297.2 total ypg. The unit has really struggled to run the ball, gaining just 91.7 ypg, and has thrown just five touchdowns against six picks. Last weekend, UCLA showed improvement in amassing 351 total yards, but only 63 of those yards came on the ground in a 31-24 loss to Oregon. Quarterback Kevin Craft was harassed all game long and despite being sacked six times he was able to throw for 288 yards, with one touchdown and an interception. Considering all the pressure he was under it wasn't a bad effort by Craft, who thrown just about every pass for UCLA and is averaging 205.5 ypg through the air this season. Terrence Austin has been his main outlet with 31 catches on the year, but he suffered a head injury last game and is listed as questionable for this weekend. Tailback Kahlil Bell, who leads the squad with five rushing touchdowns, is also listed as questionable with a left ankle injury.

UCLA's defense has also had some issues this season and the unit is giving up 30.7 ppg and 367.5 total ypg for the year. Stopping the run (171.3 ypg) has been a problem for the Bruins and so has generating turnovers, as they have forced only six thus far. In last weekend's loss, UCLA was torched on the ground by Oregon, which rolled up 323 rushing yards on a 7.0 ypc average. The Bruins' defense gave up four total touchdowns in the contest and failed to record a single turnover. The defense did post three sacks, giving the unit 11 for the season. Bret Lockett guided the team with seven stops, while Korey Bosworth had six tackles and 1.5 sacks. Bosworth has been a bright spot for UCLA this season and he leads it with 6.5 TFLs and 3.5 sacks.

The Cardinal are playing much better than UCLA right now, but winning on the road is never easy. With that said, Stanford still should have enough to get the job done this weekend behind its solid ground attack and pressure defense.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Stanford 27, UCLA 24

Saturday, October 18th, 4:00 p.m. (et)