“I have the utmost respect for Justin Wilcox as a defensive coordinator and defensive mind,’’ Stanford coach David Shaw said. “They take a lot of pride in what they do. They play with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. They play fast and physical and fly around, on attack at all times, keeping offenses on their heels.’’

Stanford will need to find a way to put points on the board if it intends to extend its Big Game winning streak to nine in a row.

The Golden Bears (6-4, 3-4) are playing with confidence after tight defensive-oriented wins over Washington (12-10) and USC (15-14). Under second-year coach Justin Wilcox the Bears have dictated tempo against potent offenses, such as a 19-13 loss on a late touchdown to Washington State.

After getting back on the winning track last week with a 48-17 victory over Oregon State, Stanford will need to continue playing at a high level Saturday in the Big Game at Cal.

“He has such great ball skills,’’ Shaw said of the 6-foot-7, 242-pound Parkinson. “He should be up over 250 by next year and be where Kaden (Smith) is as one of the best tight ends in America. He’s a volleyball player who can jump and get his feet into position. Playing in the slot is second nature to him.’’

This has been a transitional season for the Stanford offense, moving from a ground to air orientation. In the win over Oregon State sophomore tight end Colby Parkinson caught four touchdown passes.

“This game for me is in a different category,’’ Shaw said. “Something about holding that axe after that game. Any time you win the Big Game it’s extremely satisfying. It’s going to be fun and exciting. Hopefully score at least one more point than they do and bring the axe back to Stanford.’’

Stanford has played higher profile games from a national standpoint when it has been ranked higher and matched up against other top-ranked teams. But no game is more important to the Cardinal than the Big Game.

“Guys like him, you can see their heart,’’ Shaw said of Laird. “He does everything 100 percent. Good vision and balance, he breaks tackles. A lot of things in this game come down to will power.’’

“I committed 12 hours after I got offered as a junior,’’ he said. “To have deep football conversations with my teammates and have deep intellectual conversations is really special.’’

INJURY UPDATES: Offensive linemen Nate Herbig and Drew Dalman are out, so is outside linebacker Casey Toohill. Wide receiver JJ Arcega-Whiteside has got a chance to play, according to Shaw, who also said he should know by Friday if kicker Jet Tomer will be available. Bryce Love is ‘’80 to 90 percent.’’ Outside backer Joey Alfieri has returned to practice. Wide receiver Connor Wedington has one more game he can play without using up a year of eligibility. Shaw said Wedington would be used when needed, this week against Cal, against UCLA, or in the bowl game. Quarterback Davis Mills is getting close to returning from a knee injury. Shaw is hoping he will be ready for the team’s bowl game.

“This is a big game in the sense that we’re both playing well,’’ Parkinson said. “We are pretty evenly matched. They always give us their best shot. We’ll bring it the same as we do to every game, but maybe a little extra.’’

He was informed by Shaw that he would not redshirt right before the trip to Australia that began the 2017 season. The first pass he caught in that game against Rice went for a touchdown. He also caught a second TD pass in that game.

The Big Game is in a different category for Stanford's Shaw