During Stanford’s bowl era, the Cardinal’s success has been largely built around a powerful running game and a strong defense.

This year’s team has neither.

Stanford is 7-4, having lost only to teams currently ranked among the top 17 in the country. It didn’t win its division in the Pac-12 and will go to a middling bowl game. Based on its high standards, it’s been a second straight down year.

Winning the Big Game for the ninth straight time would certainly help. It would also mean sweeping Cal, USC and UCLA for the third time in four years. Losing to the Bears would mean a second five-loss season in a row for the first time in the bowl era.

That era began with the Sun Bowl in 2009, which was followed by the Orange Bowl in 2010 — both under head coach Jim Harbaugh — and has continued with eight straight bowl games under David Shaw.

In a dramatic turnabout from previous years, Stanford has the second worst ground game in the Pac-12, gaining just 109.8 yards per game. At the same time, owing to K.J. Costello, excellent receivers and fine protection, it had the second-best passing attack in the conference (291.6).

If it hadn’t been for Washington State, Stanford would have led the league in passing and brought up the rear in rushing.

Shaw deserves credit for dropping his deeply engrained reliance on the ground game at midseason and taking to the air. Missed tackles on defense, however, doomed the Cardinal to also-ran status in the conference.

Defensive coordinator Lance Anderson said his biggest concern at the moment is Cal’s physical style on offense. “Their offensive line plays physical,” he said. “They’re committed to running the football. (Patrick) Laird is a patient runner and a strong runner. Being able to stop the run and play physical — that’s our No. 1 priority.”

Stanford is giving up 421.4 yards a game in total offense. That ranks ninth in the conference and is the program’s worst mark since 2007, a 4-8 season in Harbaugh’s first season. This is a program that ranked either first or second in the Pac-12 in total defense for five straight years (2010-14).

Six tailbacks have run for more than 100 yards against Stanford this season. That plateau used to be very hard to reach against the Cardinal. In recent years, though, their rushing defense has been mediocre. Even with leading tackler Harrison Phillips clogging the middle last year, Stanford ranked just seventh in the Pac-12 in that category.

The Cardinal has been a little better against the run this year, but they are last in the conference against the pass. Only six of the nation’s 129 FBS teams are allowing more passing yards per game than Stanford’s 281.7.

Stanford (7-4, 5-3 Pac-12) at Cal (7-4, 4-4) Where: Memorial StadiumWhen: Noon Saturday TV: Pac-12 Networks Radio: 810/1050 Story lines: After eight straight losses to Stanford, Cal would love to win its first Big Game since 2009. Both team are jockeying for the best possible bowl games. Injuries:Stanford — QB Davis Mills (knee), S Ben Edwards (undisclosed), G/C Drew Dalman (und.), OLB Casey Toohill (arm), DE Dylan Jackson (und.), ILB Mustafa Branch (und.) and ILB Andrew Pryts (knee) are out. CB Alameen Murphy (und.) and TE Kaden Smith (foot) are doubtful. G Foster Sarell (leg) and RB Trevor Speights (und.) are questionable. G Nate Herbig (und.) is probable. Cal — WR Kanawai Noa (undisclosed) is questionable. RB Johnny Adams Jr. (leg), OL Henry Bazakas (lower body), QB Ross Bowers (thumb), LB Derron Brown (personal), LB Gerran Brown (medical retirement), RB Derrick Clark (lower body), LB Cameron Goode (leg), OL Patrick Mekari (leg), OL Michael Saffell (leg) and WR Brandon Singleton (undisclosed) are out. WHAT TO LOOK FOR Cal’s offensive line is a shell of its season-opening group with only two players still playing at the same position where they started the year (C Addison Ooms and RT Jake Curhan). After losing senior LT Patrick Mekari for the season to a leg injury, the Bears averaged just 2.5 yards per rush last week. Defensive line play has not been robust for Stanford. Its linemen have combined for just 10 of the team’s 31 sacks. They have just six QB hurries, no forced fumbles and just one fumble recovery. In need of a jolt on offense, Cal has moved QB Brandon McIlwain to a “slash” role in practice the past couple of weeks. The Bears ran two plays with McIlwain in jet sweep motion out of the slot against Colorado, including throwing him a screen pass for a 4-yard loss. Stanford starting CB Alijah Holder will miss the first half as a result of a targeting penalty last week against UCLA. Preparing for Stanford’s stable of pass-catching tight ends and jump-ball king JJ Arcega-Whiteside, Cal deployed 6-foot-5, 235-pound freshman McCallan Castles on scout team this week. He was so impressive that he might get red zone chances in the Big Game. Cal ILBs Jordan Kunaszyk and Evan Weaver lead all FBS duos in solo tackles per game (13.7) and have been especially dominant in the past five games. During the stretch, the Bears have allowed only 14.2 points per game. Injuries have limited Stanford’s reserve ILBs to senior Ryan Beecher and freshmen Jacob Mangum-Farrar and Ricky Miezan. If either Bobby Okereke or Sean Barton is hurt, it could be a big problem. Patrick Laird needs 184 rushing yards to become the third player in Cal history to reach the 1,000-yard milestone in multiple seasons. Cal’s Ashtyn Davis in second in the Pac-12 in kickoff returns (26.5), but Stanford’s Jake Bailey is a touchback machine. Only four kickoffs have been returned against the Cardinal, though UCLA’s Darnay Holmes broke loose for a 93-yard TD. — Tom FitzGerald and Rusty Simmons A new low for Stanford’s defense (since 2007) Year Total yds. allowed per game Rank in Pac-12 Overall record 2018 421.4 9th 7-4 2017 405.1 6th 9-5 2016 368.1 4th 10-3 2015 368.3 3rd 12-2 2014 282.4 1st 8-5 2013 343.1 2nd 11-3 2012 336.2 1st 12-2 2011 337.6 2nd 11-2 2010 322.8 2nd 12-1 2009* 402.7 9th 8-5 2008* 379.6 7th 5-7 2007* 435.5 9th 4-8 *Pac-10

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The loss of safety Justin Reid and cornerback Quenton Meeks to the NFL and an early season-ending injury to safety Ben Edwards proved to be hurdles. The pass rush has been sporadic, hampered by injuries to outside linebackers Joey Alfieri and Casey Toohill and the growing pains of a young line.

Even though Cal’s strength is its defense, Stanford’s offense may have to carry the team again. The Cardinal have put up 97 points and more than 1,000 yards the past two games, albeit against weak defenses from Oregon State and UCLA.

Costello has thrown nine of his 28 touchdown passes in the past two games; only Andrew Luck had more on the Farm (37 in 2011 and 32 in 2010). Stanford expects to see a variety of blitzes from the Bears in their effort to disrupt Costello.

His main receiver, JJ Arcega-Whiteside, can break Pro Football Hall of Famer James Lofton’s school record if he makes one more TD catch, his 15th.

The passing game will probably have to function without standout tight end Kaden Smith, who has a foot injury. But guard Nate Herbig is expected to end his five-game injury absence.

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