Crucial test for Stanford after two losses

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For a team that in the preseason had high hopes of its fourth Pac-12 title in six years and perhaps even of a College Football Playoff berth, Stanford has already gotten its comeuppance.

The Cardinal have lost their past two games, both to Southern California teams. They can’t afford to lose to a third, to visiting UCLA, in their home opener Saturday night. Both the Cardinal and the Bruins were dropped from the Associated Press Top 25 rankings after three-point losses last week.

If Stanford (1-2, 0-1 Pac-12) loses again, it can pretty much kiss off its conference title chances, and fall classes haven’t even started yet. The Cardinal would have to lower their sights to maybe the Holiday Bowl in San Diego.

They can take courage, if indeed theirs is flagging at all, in the fact Stanford has beaten UCLA nine straight times, the longest period of dominance by either team in a series that dates to 1925.

Last year’s victory was by the misleading score of 22-13. UCLA led 13-9 until J.J. Arcega-Whiteside made a spectacular catch in the end zone of a pass by Ryan Burns with 24 seconds left. Solomon Thomas added a touchdown when he returned a fumble 42 yards as time ran out.

Stanford’s normal grind-it-out running game has given way to a track meet. Bryce Love already has had runs of 63, 75, 51, 47 and 53 yards. To employ another non-football reference, singles and doubles have been replaced by home runs, although the run production has been inadequate.

ryce Love #20 of the Stanford Cardinal is second nationally in rushing with 174.7 yards per game. He averages 12.2 yards per rush. ryce Love #20 of the Stanford Cardinal is second nationally in rushing with 174.7 yards per game. He averages 12.2 yards per rush. Photo: Sean M. Haffey, Getty Images Photo: Sean M. Haffey, Getty Images Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Crucial test for Stanford after two losses 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

“I don’t mind scoring quick,” head coach David Shaw said. “The slow, methodical drives are really difficult. We’ve been pretty good at those over the years.”

That said, he’s confident Love “can be one of those guys you can pound throughout a series, and he can get 5-6-7-yard chunks.”

For the Bruins (2-1, 0-0), the question is: Can Josh Rosen put more points on the board than the Bruins’ porous defense allows? Yes, in dramatic fashion, against Texas A&M. No against Memphis. The injury-riddled defense allowed 560 total yards and six passing touchdowns against the Tigers, who won 48-45.

UCLA’s defense probably will be in much better shape health-wise this week. Defensive end Jaelan Phillips, the team’s best pass rusher, is “fighting to get back” after injuring his right ankle against Memphis, head coach Jim Mora said. Also, linebacker Kenny Young and safety Jaleel Wadood — both key leaders — could return after sitting out last week; both had head trauma the previous week against Hawaii.

Defensive tackle Boss Tagaloa, a former De La Salle-Concord athlete, is expected to be ready for full-time duty after spot action against Memphis because of an ankle injury. Defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, however, will miss the first half against Stanford because of a targeting ejection last week.

Capital One payoff: During a timeout in the second quarter, the Stanford women’s athletics program will be presented its Capital One Cup trophy for the 2016-17 school year, along with a $200,000 scholarship check from Capital One.

Tom FitzGerald is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tfitzgerald@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @tomgfitzgerald

UCLA (2-1, 0-0 Pac-12) at Stanford (1-2, 0-1)

Where: Stanford StadiumWhen: 7:30 p.m.TV/Radio: ESPN/1050

Story lines: In its home opener, Stanford would like to pack some offensive punch after scoring just 24 and 17 points the last two weeks. QB Keller Chryst needs to regain his accuracy after shooting so many blanks against San Diego State. UCLA’s Josh Rosen, who like Chryst, had his first two interceptions of the season last week, will test Stanford’s excellent secondary.

Injuries: UCLA — RB Nate Starks (knee), WR Audie Omotosho (knee), CB Keyon Riley (shoulder) and LB DeChaun Holiday (shoulder) are out. DE Jaelan Phillips (ankle) and LB Breland Brandt (concussion) are questionable. LB Kenny Young (concussion), S Jaleel Wadood (concussion) and RB Soso Jamabo (undisclosed) are probable. Stanford — LB Sean Barton (knee), LB Mustafa Branch (undisclosed) and CB Terrence Alexander (arm) are out.

What to watch for

The Bruins rank 122nd nationally in run defense (275.0 yards per game), but such stats can be misleading this early in the season. If UCLA is truly that weak against the run, it may be another field day for Bryce Love, second nationally in rushing (174.7 yards per game). He averages a nation-leading 12.2 yards per rush.

On the other hand, the Cardinal are 111th against the run (208.0) despite what Bruins head coach Jim Mora called their “maniacal effort to get to the ball.” In any case, UCLA is much more oriented to the pass than the run.

UCLA sophomore Jalen Starks caught a pass for a 50-yard gain last week against Memphis. What’s noteworthy about that is that Starks is a 265-pound fullback. Josh Rosen’s main targets are WR Darren Andrews (second in the nation with 409 yards on 26 catches) and TE Caleb Wilson (21 catches, 280 yards).

— Tom FitzGerald

Saturday’s game

Who: UCLA (2-1, 0-0 Pac-12) at Stanford (1-2, 0-1)

Time: 7:30 p.m. TV/Radio: ESPN/1050

Pac-12 standings

North

Team Conf. All Washington St. 1-0 3-0 Oregon 0-0 3-0 Washington 0-0 3-0 Cal 0-0 3-0 Stanford 0-1 1-2 Oregon State 0-1 1-3

South