last night on his blog for espn.com. I don’t know why. Stanford is the smallest school in the conference. Its attendance will always reflect that, as it always has. Why doesn’t the beat writer for the PAC-10 understand that?

Comments to Miller’s criticism pointed out that and other facts, how many Stanford students come from somewhere other than the Bay Area and return there as alumni, how local fans might not embrace a team from a school they wouldn’t be able to attend.

That was straightforward, but then Cal fans and Oregon fans showed up as well, offering their own gentle opinion as the one here, “Stanford fans suck!” Well, being small in number isn’t a measure of quality. Still that’s what fans of other schools say, “You were nothing before Harbaugh! You’ll be nothing when he leaves once he realizes you suck!”

I used to argue with people like that. It doesn’t do any good.

… if I have time later today I’ll try to write up my thoughts in more detail. I think there are a number of factors affecting attendance - including the awfulness of the pre-Harbaugh era, the local press and the failings of the athletic department’s marketing.

I think Stanford can build itself up to have a rabid fanbase, but it will take a significant amount of time (like, a decade) and I don’t think anyone wants to stick around that long…