Even as he intently prepared for the biggest game on the NFL schedule this week, Richard Sherman allowed his attention to briefly drift to the Big Game.

A former Stanford cornerback, now a defensive captain with the 49ers (9-1), Sherman joked that he would like to make a Big Game wager with former Cal quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is leading the Packers (8-2) into Santa Clara on Sunday.

Since the 122nd Big Game will already be over a day before Sherman and Rodgers face off, the cornerback decided to simply announce his prediction for the Cal-Stanford rivalry game.

“I think we got them again,” Sherman said. “You know, it’s the Stanford Axe. Nobody calls it the Cal-Berkeley Axe. The Stanford Axe needs to stay at home.”

That’s certainly been the trend of late as Cal has lost nine in a row to Stanford by a combined score of 321-155. After the game was postponed last year because of poor air quality from the Camp Fire in Paradise (Butte County), the Cardinal sneaked out a 23-13 victory.

How this year’s iteration of the rivalry will play out is anyone’s guess, as Cal is just a 1½-point underdog heading into the game at Stanford. Both teams have been plagued by injuries and have struggled mightily on offense.

Stanford ranks 11th in the 12-team conference at 367 offensive yards per game, and Cal ranks last at 304.

Cal (5-5, 2-6 Pac-12) is coming off a 41-17 loss to USC and has uncertainty at quarterback behind a battered offensive line. Starter Chase Garbers, who has led the Bears to a 10-2 record in games when he’s played more than a half, was knocked out of the USC game in the first half with an undisclosed injury.

Cal head coach Justin Wilcox said Garbers was cleared to participate in portions of the practice in the middle of the week, but he still hadn’t been cleared to play in a game. Stanford head coach David Shaw said his team is preparing to face backup Devon Modster.

The Cardinal (4-6, 3-5), who are coming off a 49-22 loss at Washington State, will start their backup, Davis Mills. NFL prospect K.J. Costello would require a remarkable recovery in order to return for the team’s regular-season finale against Notre Dame next week, according to Stanford.

“Both teams have had bright spots and low spots. Both teams have had major injuries,” Shaw said. “But this is one of those games, that on game day, nobody is going to care. It’s going to be emotional. It’s going to be physical. …

“Every play is going to be important. Every play is going to matter.”

Cal needs to win one of its final two games (the Big Game and Nov. 30 at UCLA) to qualify for a second straight bowl game for the first time since the Bears went to a program-best seven in a row from 2003-09.

122nd Big Game Who: Cal (5-5, 2-5 Pac-12) at Stanford (4-6, 3-5) When: 1 p.m. Saturday Where: Stanford Stadium TV: Pac-12 Network Radio: 810, 104.5, 680, 1050

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Stanford needs to win its final two games to extend its run of postseason appearances, at 10 the longest in school history and the longest active streak in the Pac-12.

In a matchup expected to be scarce on points, Stanford would like to re-establish its running game, and Cal would like to force the Cardinal into challenging its defensive backs and create opportunities for interception returns.

Even after he broke the school record with 504 passing yards at Washington State last week, Mills said he has to get the team’s running game rolling. Shaw agreed, especially if the Cardinal can run away from Cal’s Evan Weaver.

The senior linebacker leads the nation in total tackles (151) and solo tackles (83). He’s on pace for 181 tackles in a 12-game season and has a chance to break the all-time record if the Bears play in bowl game. Texas Tech’s Lawrence Flugence set the NCAA’s single-season record with 193 tackles in 2002.

“We just hope he misses the bus, and the coaching staff gets mad at him and sits him for half or three quarters,” Shaw joked. “He’s the best linebacker we’ve seen all year. He’s outstanding. He’s big, fast, long, violent, physical. He’s special.”

So are the Stanford receivers. Along with junior Colby Parkinson, a semifinalist for the John Mackey award given to the best tight end in the country, the Cardinal have three wideouts who are emerging.

Connor Wedington has at least one catch in all 27 games he’s played in his career and is coming off a career-best 119-yard game. Michael Wilson is coming off a career-high 114-yard game. Simi Fehoko has six touchdown catches in his past five games.

“They present unique problems with the length of their receivers and a quarterback who can really whip it,” Cal defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter said.

Cal’s secondary is the strength of its team, with seven players who have combined for 286 games played, 143 starts and 28 interceptions. Camryn Bynum, Ashtyn Davis and Jaylinn Hawkins all are considered pro prospects with the potential to create careers like Sherman.

Sherman had an interception and forced a fumble in 2010’s 48-14 victory that started Stanford’s rivalry-best, nine-game winning streak in the series. But it was a distinct smell that he remembers most about the game.

“They had popcorn right outside (the visiting) locker room,” Sherman said. “Why do you have popcorn and a hot dog stand right here? …

“You can’t get distracted.”

Especially not during Big Game week.

Rusty Simmons is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rsimmons@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Rusty_SFChron