Stanford Cardinal
Overall Rank: #11
Pac-12 Conference Rank: #2
Stanford Team Page
2010 Record: (12-1, 8-1)
2010 Bowl: BCS Orange Bowl vs. Virginia Tech (W 40-12)
Coach: David Shaw (0-0 at Stanford, 0-0 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Pep Hamilton
Defensive Coordinator: Derek Mason and Jason Tarver
Returning Leaders:
Rushing: Stepfan Taylor, RB, 1137 yards
Passing: Andrew Luck, QB, 3338 yards
Receiving: Coby Fleener, TE, 434 yards
Tackles: Shayne Skov, LB, 84
Sacks: Chase Thomas, LB, 7.5
Interceptions: Delano Howell, CB, 5
Other Key Returnees: RB Anthony Wilkerson, WR Chris Owusu, G David DeCastro, OT Jonathan Martin, DE Matthew Masifilo, S Michael Thomas
Key Losses: WR Doug Baldwin, WR Ryan Whalen, LB Owen Marecic, DL Tom Keiser, DB Richard Sherman
The 2010 season could only be called one of Stanford’s most successful in recent memory. Led by their quarterback, Andrew Luck, and head coach, Jim Harbaugh, the Cardinal rolled all the way to a BCS bowl win. If not for Oregon’s season, Stanford would have been considered the best the west coast had to offer and one of the top teams in the country. Now, with the departure of their head coach to the land of the NFL, much more will rest on Luck this season to repeat and improve upon what was accomplished a season ago.
Strengths:
The most important position on a football field is quarterback. Quite simply, Stanford has one of the very best in the nation in Andrew Luck. Whatever shortcomings they may have at other positions on the field, a lot can be covered up by a top flight passer. Luck should be considered an early favorite to win the Heisman Trophy as well as the reason Stanford would be able to build on their success.
The Cardinal will also return a veteran group of running backs and a couple of the best offensive linemen the conference has to offer. Trailing only Oregon in rushing offense in the Pac-10 in 2010, Stanford has a chance to vie for a similar finish this year. Meanwhile, on the defensive side of the ball, Stanford led the conference in turnover margin last season as well as scoring defense. Although a couple big names have left, much of this defense will return for another campaign.
Weaknesses:
If quarterback is the most important position on the field, the most important person off it may be a team’s head coach and Stanford is going into this season with a brand new one, a man who has never won or coached an FBS game before. Although David Shaw may turn into a very successful head coach, following in the footsteps of Jim Harbaugh will not be easy, especially with the tremendous season he had last year.
To go along with a perceived weakness on the sideline is a weakness in the receiving corps that Andrew Luck will look to throw to. WR Doug Baldwin is gone and the team’s leading returning receiver is none other than tight end Coby Fleener.
On a defensive unit that played well together, the weakness was the front four. They did not record many sacks or tackles for loss, as much of the playmaking came from the linebackers. If Stanford is to take the next step, they will need more push and production from their big bodies up front.
The Bottom Line:
It will be hard to improve upon what took place at the university in 2010. It will be just as hard to navigate a brand new Pac-12 where new opponents are coming in and Stanford will be thought of as one of the big boys. However, USC is still barred from postseason play. They cannot win the conference. Oregon is having NCAA troubles of their own and no one knows the future of Chip Kelly or the Ducks. The Pac-12 is surprisingly wide open for the Cardinal to take advantage and ride their star quarterback all the way to the Rose Bowl. The important thing to remember though is that Oregon is still the conference champ until someone knocks them off, violations or not.
Projected Bowl: Alamo Bowl
2010 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 213.77 (17th in nation, 2nd in conference)
Passing Offense: 258.69 (29, 3)
Total Offense: 472.46 (14, 2)
Scoring Offense: 40.31 (9, 2)
Rushing Defense: 120.85 (19, 2)
Pass Defense: 202.00 (35, 3)
Total Defense: 322.85 (21, 2)
Scoring Defense: 17.38 (10, 1)
Turnover Margin: 1.00 (T-7, 1)
Sacks: 2.69 (15, 2)
Sacks Allowed: 0.46 (2, 1)
Madness 2012 NFL Draft Rankings:
#1 Andrew Luck
#35 Jonathan Martin
#41 Chris Owusu
Madness 2011 Football Recruit Rankings:
#81 James Vaughters
#108 Wayne Lyons
#174 Brendon Austin
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