Stanford Cardinal
Overall Rank: #6
#2 Pac-12
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A couple years back there were concerns that Stanford could not continue their winning ways without old coach Jim Harbaugh and quarterback Andrew Luck. Since then Coach David Shaw has won 23 games, including a Rose Bowl victory over Wisconsin last season, and lost just four. The Cardinal are not going anywhere anytime soon and the next step for this team is reaching the national championship game. First they need to get through Oregon and win the Pac-12 North.
2012 Record: 12-2, 8-1
2012 Bowl: Rose Bowl vs. Wisconsin (W 20-14)
Coach: David Shaw (23-4 at Stanford, 23-4 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Mike Bloomgren
Defensive Coordinator: Derek Mason
Returning Leaders:
Rushing: Kevin Hogan, QB, 263 yards
Passing: Kevin Hogan, QB, 1,096 yards
Receiving: Ty Montgomery, WR, 213 yards
Tackles: Shayne Skov, LB, 81
Sacks: Trent Murphy, LB, 10.0
Interceptions: Ed Reynolds, S, 6
Other Key Returnees: RB Anthony Wilkerson, OL David Yankey, OL Kevin Danser, OL Cameron Fleming, C Khalil Wilkes, S Jordan Richards, LB A.J. Tarpley, DE Henry Anderson, DE Ben Gardner, K Jordan Williamson
Key Losses: RB Stephan Taylor, QB Josh Nunes, TE Jack Ertz, TE Levine Toilolo, WR Drew Terrell, LB Chase Thomas, CB Terrence Brown
Strengths:
Stanford led the Pac-12 in rushing defense, total defense and scoring defense and, with eight starters returning, it would be a huge surprise if this was not the best defense in the conference once again. It starts up front where ends Henry Anderson and Ben Gardner return after combining to tally 13.5 sacks and 27.5 tackles-for-loss. Josh Mauro is also back after totaling 5.0 sacks and 7.0 tackles-for-loss. Not only does this team have two great ends, but they have experienced and quality depth too. Tackle David Parry started the last three games of the 2012 campaign and has already proven to be a fine tackle who can push the line back. The four linebackers may be the best in the country. Shayne Skov is the leader of the defense and will be joined on the inside by A.J. Tarpley. Trent Murphy is back to man one of the outside linebacker spots. Even with the talent on the ends, it was Murphy who led the Cardinal in sacks and tackles-for-loss. Chase Thomas needs to be replaced, but Coach Shaw has a couple quality options. Blake Lueders, a 6-5 junior, missed last season with an injury and James Vaughters is a great talent who has yet to get the chance. If the linebackers are indeed the best defensive unit on the team, the secondary is not far behind. Ed Reynolds is a superb safety and playmaker who picked off six passes in 2012 and fellow safety Jordan Richards added three interceptions. Sophomore corner Alex Carter is a star in the making and Wayne Lyons should do a fine job replacing Terrence Brown.
Weaknesses:
Kevin Hogan proved to be a tough quarterback who can make clutch plays with his arm and his legs. As a part-time starter last season, Hogan threw nine touchdowns and just three interceptions, while adding a couple more scores on the ground. Replacing the talent at wide receiver and running back could hinder Hogan’s numbers. Gone are running back Stepfan Taylor, receiver Drew Terrell and tight end Zachs Ertz and Levine Toilolo. At wide receiver, Stanford will rely heavily on Ty Montgomery who struggled last season with injuries. The team will likely move away from their usual tight end involvement with Ertz and Toilolo out of the picture. Luke Kaumatule, David Dudchock and a handful of freshmen are decent tight ends, but it is a big step up to reach the level of Ertz and Toilolo. At running back Coach Shaw hopes a committee approach can replace the 1,530 yards and 13 scores provided by Taylor. Seniors Anthony Wilkerson and Tyler Gaffney, who spent last year playing baseball, will be given the first crack at turning into Stanford’s top rusher in 2013.
The Bottom Line:
Even with the new faces at wide receiver and running back, the Stanford offense will be productive thanks to an absolutely loaded offensive line. David Yankey is moving back to his guard spot and sophomore Andrus Peat, a 6-7, 310 pound sophomore, will do just fine at tackle. Returning starters Khalil Wilkes, Kevin Danser and Cameron Fleming round out the group. The Cardinal will have time to make any adjustments they need with a pretty easy schedule to start the year. UCLA, Oregon State, Oregon and USC all come in the second half of the slate.
Projected Bowl: Alamo Bowl
2012 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 174.29 (48th in nation, 6th in conference)
Passing Offense: 200.14 (93, 10)
Total Offense: 374.43 (84, 8)
Scoring Offense: 27.86 (70, 7)
Rushing Defense: 97.00 (5, 1)
Pass Defense: 239.21 (70, 7)
Total Defense: 336.21 (20, 1)
Scoring Defense: 17.21 (11, 1)
Turnover Margin: 0.64 (26, 2)
Sacks: 4.07 (1, 1)
Sacks Allowed: 1.43 (34, 3)
Madness 2014 NFL Draft Rankings:
#27 Trent Murphy
#29 David Yankey
#42 Shayne Skov
#55 Ed Reynolds
#59 Henry Anderson
#90 A.J. Tarpley
#98 Ben Gardner
Madness 2013 Football Recruit Rankings:
#106 Peter Kalambayi
#121 Ryan Burns
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