UCLA vs. Stanford: Cardinal has some things the Bruins want

What does UCLA’s Rick Neuheisel have that Stanford’s Jim Harbaugh lacks? A Rose Bowl victory and MVP trophy as a quarterback. What does Harbaugh have that Neuheisel desires? Victories — two of them — against USC plus a program that seems on solid footing. Staff writer Chris Foster looks at the key issues in advance on Saturday night’s game at the Rose Bowl:

The rundown

UCLA gave up 313 yards rushing against Kansas State. Daniel Thomas ran for 234 yards, the most against the Bruins since USC’s Reggie Bush went for 260 in 2005.

As a result, the Bruins spent this week tinkering with their defensive front. Coach Rick Neuheisel said more in-game rest was needed for starters but he demanded better tackling.

Stanford no longer has Toby Gerhart, but the Cardinal returns four starting offensive linemen and has a running game of five backs that combined for 213 yards against Sacramento State last week.

A little Luck

The UCLA defense will have to play it straight this week. Kansas State’s use of the forward pass was mostly an in-case-of-emergency option.

Stanford sophomore Andrew Luck can make people pay for leaning the wrong way. Luck, the Pacific 10’s top-rated passer during conference play last season, passed for 316 yards and four touchdowns against Sacramento State.

UCLA has seen his act. Luck completed 14 of 20 passes for 198 yards in a 24-16 victory over the Bruins last season, twice burning UCLA on deep passes that set up touchdowns.

UCLA had six sacks against Kansas State — three attributed to tight coverage and indecision by Wildcats quarterback Carson Coffman. Another came when Coffman scrambled and collided with an unsuspecting UCLA player.

Prince or pauper?

Kevin Prince’s 34.6% completion rate against Kansas State was deemed “woeful” by Neuheisel.

For Prince to go from woeful to wonderful, there are a couple of musts: He must be more accurate, and his receivers must stop dropping passes.

Prince was nine for 26 against Kansas State, showing the rust that came from nearly three weeks trying to recover from a torn muscle in his back.

But he had plenty of help. Bruins’ receivers dropped “four or five passes” by Neuheisel’s count, including one by Taylor Embree at the goal line that might have changed the complexion of the game.

Prince’s health remains a concern. He has a sore right (throwing) shoulder.

The specialists

There are a handful of special team players who have the ability to turn the tide of today’s game with one play — if health allows.

UCLA kicker Kai Forbath has made 40 consecutive field-goal attempts from less than 50 yards, and is nine for 12 beyond 50 in his career. He appears to be over a groin injury that nearly kept him out of the opener.

Stanford receiver Chris Owusu returned three kickoffs for touchdowns last season. Owusu did not play last week and is listed as questionable for Saturday’s game because of an undisclosed injury.

UCLA’s Jeff Locke averaged 45 yards a punt last week — with kicks of 55 and 60 yards — but has been bothered by a sore knee.

For openers

Was UCLA exposed by Kansas State, or is experience gained during the loss that could end up paying dividends? Did barely breaking a sweat against Sacramento State allow Stanford to get the kinks out, or are the Cardinal less than prepared for a major-college challenge?

UCLA’s game looks better if Kansas State ends up contending in the Big 12. Stanford’s scheduling a “tomato can” works if the Cardinal pushes through the next three games — Wake Forest and Notre Dame follow — before an Oct. 2 showdown at Pac-10 favorite Oregon.

chris.foster@latimes.com