Rule of Tree podcasts and Videos Archive

Rule of Tree’s Matt Vassar Appears on CFB Top 25

Which 5-7 team does Matt include in his top 25? Find out on CFB Top 25!

Stanford Football Player Committed Sexual Assault, Says Majority of Panel

Two years. Two sexual assault cases. By two Stanford athletes.

Is Big Game the Biggest Bay Area Rivalry?

There’s something iconic about the Bay Area’s oldest rivalry...

Has Keller Chryst Proven Himself?

And is he a better QB than Ryan Burns?

Can Stanford Win as a Defensive Team?

Stanford proved that it could win a championship (the 2013 Rose Bowl) led by its defense; however, this year's offense is also the worst of the Shawbaugh era...

Interview with Frank Buncom IV Following His Pick Six

Matt Vassar talks with Frank Buncom about the sheer exuberance of making a big play in his first start.

Loss to Washington Not the End for Stanford

We survived the tough part of our schedule 3-1. That's something.

Rule of Tree's Matt Vassar Previews Stanford-Washington on SB Nation Radio

What can you expect from this top ten match up? Matt Vassar and Lewis Woodard break it down.

Stanford Ready to Make a Statement Against Washington

Who will prevail in this top ten match up?

Week 1 Shows Why Stanford Is the Team to Beat in the Pac-12

The way Matt Vassar sees it, it's a two-horse race in the North, and one team stands alone in the South...

Stanford Football season preview with Mark Rogers TV

Can the Cardinal really make a college football playoff run?

Cardinal Set to Open Season with Ryan Burns Under Center

But will he be the only quarterback of 2016?

Stanford football 2016: Ranking Stanford’s Schedule with Mark Rogers TV

Mark Rogers is ranking the toughest schedules in the nation and here is his take on Stanford’s.

Stanford football 2016: Discussing Christian McCaffrey with Mark Rogers TV

Coach David Shaw says McCaffrey is even better this season but is that really possible?

Stanford Swimmers Own the Pool

This Stanford women's Olympic swimming team is the most dominant ever...

Simone Manuel Continues Stanford's Swimming Domination

In a David vs. Goliath struggle, Simone Manuel defies the odds and wins the gold.

Could Christian McCaffrey Be Better in 2016?

And just how dominant is Katie Ledecky in swimming?

Rule of Tree Debate: Jim Harbaugh vs. David Shaw

Who would you choose as your coach?

Is Katie Ledecky the new face of American Swimming?

The only person who seems able to compete with Katie Ledecky is... Katie Ledecky.

Will Stanford Be the Choice for Osiris St. Brown?

He'll choose today between Stanford and Notre Dame, and the implications are huge.

Michael Rector Happy to be Back at Stanford

Plus, an exclusive interview with Chuck Ludlam, one of the architects of the 1964 theft of the Cal Victory Cannon.

Would You Take David Shaw Over Jim Harbaugh?

Khakis or Stone face?

A Tribute to the Late, Great Denny Green

Has anybody had a more lasting legacy on Stanford football?

Pac-12 Media Days Kick Off a Great Stanford Season

Plus, the Stanford Band is at it again...

Media Predicts Stanford as Overwhelming Favorite in the Pac-12

For the first time in the 56-year history of the Pac-12, the media has selected... Stanford?!

Stanford Steals a Blue Chip Recruit from Alabama

Meanwhile, Nick Saban is tired of losing recruiting battles to Stanford.

Why Stanford's Tree Stands Alone

We're #1! We're #1! We're #1!

Stanford Athletes Find Success Beyond the Playing Field

How Stanford DL Harrison Phillips made the world a better place while he was injured...

Why Christian McCaffrey Won't Repeat His 2015 Performance

After last season's unprecedented run, how could he?

Christian McCaffrey Creating a Runningback Renaissance

We are right now living a runningback revolution, and it's thanks to Christian McCaffrey

Stanford football 2016: Keller Chryst and Ryan Burns QB competition at Stanford

Subscribe to Mark Rogers TV on YouTube for more great college football videos.

Stanford football 2016: Bryce Love, Christian McCaffrey, running backs preview with Mark Rogers TV

Subscribe to Mark Rogers TV on YouTube for more great college football videos.

Stanford football 2016: Offensive line preview with Mark Rogers TV

Subscribe to Mark Rogers TV on YouTube for more great college football videos.

Why Campus Sexual Assaults Have Become an Epidemic

Brock Turner is not an isolated incident; why is campus sexual assault happening all over the country?

Stanford Community Rocked by Brock Turner Case

Six months?

Three Unexpected Takeaways from David Shaw's Fireside Chat

David Shaw is among the most candid and introspective coaches in college football; come hear what he said last week.

Has Christian McCaffrey Experienced Discrimination?

And can you experience discrimination when you're white, upper-middle-class, and from the Colorado suburbs?

Was Rollins Stallworth Right to Speak Out Against the NCAA?

Stanford WR Rollins Stallworth opened a very important conversation.

Is Stanford the New QBU?

John Elway, Andrew Luck, Kevin Hogan... who has it better?

Was Joshua Garnett Worth Trading Up For?

The 49ers surprised many when they gave up three picks for Joshua Garnett. Here's why they did it.

The NFL Draft Sets Up to be a Historic Night for Stanford

The NFL Draft begins today. Can Stanford break a record?

2016 NFL Draft: How Many Stanford Prospects Will Be Selected?

The NFL Draft is coming up. Also, is Stanford hated by Reddit?

Discussing A.J. Tarpley's Decision to Retire Due to Concussions

AJ Tarpley retired from the NFL at just 23 years old. Does football create a moral dilemma for fans?

What to Expect From Stanford in 2016

Spring Game brought some answers, but also more questions. What can we expect from this team after having seen Spring Game?

Questions Heading Into Stanford's Spring Game

With Kevin Hogan, Josh Garnett, and Kyle Murphy leaving, we discuss who to watch to fill the voids in this year's Spring Game.

Big-Named Football Recruits Visiting the Stanford Campus

Stanford is going into the backyards of former dynasties USC and Oregon, and targeting some of their top prospects. Will Stanford get them?

2016 Stanford Football Spring Update with Mark Rogers TV

Subscribe to Mark Rogers TV on YouTube for more great college football videos.

Rule of Tree podcasts and videos: Cardinal Rule with Shane Tidrick, Episode 1

Cardinal Rule with Shane Tidrick is a Stanford sports podcast covering all things Stanford athletics. In this episode Shane discusses Stanford players in the 2016 NFL Draft, new Stanford men's basketball coach Jerod Haase, and more.

Was Johnny Dawkins the Wrong Fit for Stanford basketball?

And, relatedly, is Jerod Haase the right fit?

Tara VanDerveer Named Pac-12 Coach of the Century

Is Tara VanDerveer the best coaching hire that Stanford has ever made?

Stanford Players Making Headlines at the NFL Combine

Stanford players are making headlines at the NFL Combine, and for reasons you might not expect...

Is the Best WR in the Country Coming to Stanford?

The Demetris Robertson saga sure has taken an interesting and unexpected turn...

Did the Oregon Win Save Johnny Dawkins' Job?

Somehow Dawkins keeps reviving his career with critical wins when it matters the most. But how long can he keep it up?

Pac-12 Breakdown Episode 22: Pat Haden, Recruiting and Quarterback competitions

As always we spoke with Mark Rogers TV about that latest in Pac-12 Football. This episode featured Pat Haden's retirement and health, recruiting and quarterback battles from around the conference.

How Does Diron Reynolds Fit at Defensive Line Coach?

Stanford might just have found the perfect replacement for legendary defensive line coach Randy Hart...

Kevin Hogan Wins Super Bowl Bet Over USC Defensive Back

What were Stanford players and alumni up to during the Super Bowl? Matt Vassar tells some amusing stories of Stanford players during the Super Bowl.

Total Guide to Stanford's 2016 Recruiting Class

Did you know that our recruiting class includes a QB who broke Carson Palmer's record? How about that we have a black belt in kung fu? Or the cousin of heavyweight champion Roy Jones Jr.? For all this and more, check out our recruiting guide!

2016 National Signing Day: Pac-12 Conference Breakdown with Mark Rogers TV

We spoke with some of the best bloggers from around the Pac-12 to breakdown how well teams in the conference finished on the recruiting trail on National Signing Day 2016

Stanford football recruiting: Three Big Moves for Stanford on National Signing Day

National Signing Day went relatively calmly for Stanford, but there were three surprises that unfolded over the course of the day.

Top Five Controversial Performances by the Band

We take a quick break from recruiting news to talk about the one, the only, the truly incomparable Leland Stanford Junior University Marching Band!

Can Stanford Land the Best Wide Receiver in the Country?

Demetris Robertson just retook the SAT and has vowed not to sign anywhere until after he finds out whether he got into Stanford. What does this mean for the Cardinal?

Pac-12 Breakdown Episode 20 with Mark Rogers TV: Recruiting updates

Pac-12 Breakdown is LIVE every Wednesday at 8pm PT featuring top bloggers from around the conference.

What Positions Need to Be Filled Before National Signing Day?

Stanford is having one of its best recruiting classes ever, but what's missing?

What Are Christian McCaffrey's Odds to Win the 2016 Heisman?

The odds are out from the betting markets, so where does McCaffrey stack up against the 2016 field?

Pac-12 Breakdown 19: Stanford Recruiting Class, Clay Helton Coaching Staff, and more

Pac-12 Breakdown is LIVE every Wednesday at 8pm PT featuring top bloggers from around the conference.

How Significant Is Stanford Finishing No. 3 in the AP Poll?

Even after the football season has ended, Stanford football continues to make history.

Pac-12 Breakdown Episode 18 with Mark Rogers TV: Stanford Dominance, Pac-12 vs Power 5, and more

Pac-12 Breakdown features the top bloggers in the conference and comes your way every Wednesday night at 8pm PT LIVE on Google Hangouts.

Christian McCaffrey Proves He Deserved the Heisman

A record-breaking Rose Bowl performance left little doubt in the minds of previous Derrick Henry voters.

Three Misconceptions Heading into the Rose Bowl

Just because the media keeps saying these things over and over again doesn't make them true.

Rose Bowl Preview - Iowa Hawkeyes vs Stanford Cardinal with Mark Rogers TV

In the College Football Playoff era it has become a consolation prize of sorts. Nevertheless, it's still unique, special and elite. It's the Rose Bowl pitting two the nation's Top 6 teams in Iowa and Stanford. Nick Dempsey of RuleofTree.com joins MarkRogersTV to try to find a difference between two very similar, solid, hard working teams.

Stanford Takes to the Happiest Place on Earth!

The Disneyland and Beef Bowl traditions go back further than almost every single bowl game in existence. Come and take a glimpse at what Stanford is doing with them!

Pac-12 Breakdown 17: Holiday, Sun, Foster Farms, Armed Forces, Heart of Dallas Bowls

Pac 12 Breakdown features the top bloggers in the conference and comes your way every Wednesday night at 8pm PT LIVE on Google Hangouts.

2016 Stanford Football Preview

Will 2016 once again be the Year of the Cardinal?

What Is the Future of Stanford Football?

Three Pac-12 Championships in the past four years, but what will next year bring?

Pac 12 Breakdown 17: Bowl Politics & Relevance, Las Vegas Bowl, New Mexico Bowl

Pac 12 Breakdown features the top bloggers in the conference and comes your way every Wednesday night at 8pm PT LIVE on Google Hangouts.

Did Race Play a Role in this Year's Heisman Result?

Solomon Hughes is the perfect embodiment of the scholar-athlete, having both played professional basketball and earned a Ph.D. He shares his insights on the intersection of race and athletics.

Is the Heisman Voting System Broken?

When McCaffrey puts up unprecedented numbers for the entire season, how is it possible that he could lose so badly when it came down to the voters?

2015 Heisman Trophy: Christian McCaffrey is more deserving but Derrick Henry will probably win

Christian McCaffrey might be the most deserving but that does not mean that he will win the Heisman Trophy over Alabama's Derrick Henry.

2015 Heisman Trophy Discussion with Mark Rogers TV

For more great college football coverage with the best bloggers from the around country check out Mark Rogers TV on youtube.

Pac-12 Breakdown Episode 16 / Stanford-Iowa, USC-Wisconsin, Oregon-TCU, Utah-BYU

We joined MarkRogersTV for the latest episode of Pac-12 Breakdown.

Why Isn't Christian McCaffrey the Heisman Favorite?

Derrick Henry is the prohibitive favorite to win the Heisman tomorrow night, especially after taking home both the Doak Walker Award and the Maxwell Award last night. But why isn't McCaffrey the favorite to win the Heisman when he had the best season in college football?

College Football Playoff: Analyzing Stanford's strength of schedule

Projecting how the College Football Playoff contenders would have finished with Stanford's strength of schedule

Did Stanford Have a Claim to the College Football Playoff?

Stanford's #6 ranking put it right on the cusp of the 4-team College Football Playoffs, and many agreed that Stanford did not deserve a spot in the top four. But maybe we shouldn't react so quickly because the answer just might be a bit more nuanced than we all realize...

Stanford Has One of the Most Impressive Resumes in College Football

Even with two losses, Stanford is next in line to join the four-team playoff should either the ACC or SEC falter.

Clutch Performances by Seniors in Final Home Game

Kevin Hogan, in particular, had an emotional win in his final home game playing against his late father's alma mater.

Pac-12 Championship Game: Pac 12 Breakdown Episode 15 with Mark Rogers TV

This week's episode of Pac-12 Breakdown features a preview of USC vs Stanford in the Pac-12 Championship Game, the hiring of Clay Helton, and Cal Coach Sonny Dykes.

Stanford Keeps Outside Shot at Playoff Alive With Thrilling Win Over Notre Dame

A thrilling season is capped off with a thrilling win over Notre Dame. And it will get even more thrilling in the games to come as Kevin Hogan is about to break an Andrew Luck record, and Christian McCaffrey is about to break a Barry Sanders record.

Tracking Chaos: Watching the Week 13 Games that Affect Stanford's CFP Odds

We're live updating this post so that you can follow along at home the chaos scenarios as they unfold. Should ANY of these chaos scenarios emerge, Stanford might just sneak into the College Football Playoffs.

Chaos Might Strike the Power Five this Weekend

Why Stanford might be the biggest benefactor of chaos.

Watch: Notre Dame vs Stanford 2015 Game Preview with Mark Rogers TV and Rule of Tree

Notre Dame is an underdog on the road against Stanford. The Cardinal have a trip to the Pac-12 Championship game secured. Here is a preview for Notre Dame vs Stanford.

Notre Dame vs Stanford 2015: Pac-12 Breakdown Episode 14 with Mark Rogers TV

It is a busy week in the Pac-12 Conference with plenty of exciting games. Our own Nick Dempsey from Rule of Tree joined other bloggers from around the conference to preview the week in Pac-12 Football.

Christian McCaffrey Is Running His Way to a Heisman

Forget about Derrick Henry. And forget about Leonard Fournette. There is nobody doing what Christian McCaffrey is doing.

Christian McCaffrey Continues Memorable Season in 35-22 Win Over Cal

How many records will Christian McCaffrey break by the end of this season?

Pac 12 Breakdown 13 / Playoff Dead? Champ Worthy, Preview & Predictions

Pac 12 Breakdown is LIVE every Wednesday at 8pm PT featuring top bloggers from around the conference.

Stanford Playing for a Pac-12 Championship Appearance Saturday

With the offensive firepower in this game and Stanford playing for a Pac-12 Championship and a Rose Bowl, this might just be the most exciting Big Game in recent history.

2015 Big Game Week: Cal Bears at Stanford Cardinal preview with Mark Rogers TV

For Stanford it is simple, beat the Cal Bears and earn a trip to the Pac-12 Conference Championship Game. The Cardinal would also keep the Stanford Axe.

Stanford's Playoff Dreams Aren't Completely Dead Yet

Many in the media are eulogizing Stanford's playoff dreams, but did you know that there's a very real scenario that could lead a two-loss Stanford team into the playoffs?

Oregon-Stanford Recap

Oregon Hitting Their Stride Heading Into Stanford

The Oregon offense is back as they just put up a school record 777 yards against Cal last week. Can Stanford slow them down?

Pac 12 Breakdown 12 / College Football Rankings, Stanford vs Oregon, Utah, USC, UCLA

How Can Stanford Get in the Playoffs?

Stanford got one win closer to the College Football Playoffs, but what needs to happen across the country for Stanford to get a slot in the top four?

Stanford Blows Past Colorado: Will the Cardinal Make the Playoffs?

What is in store next for this Stanford Cardinal team?

What Record Might Christian McCaffrey Break on Saturday?

Christian McCaffrey might just tie a record set by the great Toby Gerhart in the game against Colorado this Saturday.

Pac 12 Breakdown 11 / College Football Playoff Rankings, Stanford, USC, UCLA, Utah Talk

Stanford-Washington State Instant Analysis / Kevin Hogan, Christian McCaffrey, Quenton Meeks

Three Stars from Stanford's Comeback Win

Stanford survived a Halloween scare against Washington State, but whom can we credit for our survival?

First College Football Playoff rankings of 2015: Stanford ranks 11th

Stanford came in at number 11 in the first College Football Playoff rankings but plenty of shakeups are ahead.

Three Myths Surrounding the Washington State Cougars

Is the Washington State air raid really as good as everyone thinks?

Utah's Loss Has Big Implications for Stanford

Who would you prefer that Stanford play in the Pac-12 Championship: Utah or USC?

Can Stanford's Unstoppable Offense Break Washington's Immovable Defense?

The Stanford-Washington match may be the quintessential example of an unstoppable force against an immovable object.

Does Christian McCaffrey Deserve to Win a Heisman?

At the pace he's going, Christian McCaffrey will become the first ever in NCAA history to record over 3,000 all-purpose yards in a single season.

Stanford-UCLA Instant Analysis / Christian McCaffrey, Kevin Hogan, Josh Rosen

Can Stanford's Power Run Game Exploit the UCLA Defense?

This may be the last time in a while that the entire nation is watching Stanford. Can Stanford make the best of it?

How Can Stanford Beat Utah?

Utah is undefeated at this point in the season, but is Utah unbeatable?

2016 NFL Draft: Kevin Hogan Is NFL Ready

Kevin Hogan is the fourth-best quarterback in the entire country in terms of total quarterback rating. But will this wildly successful college career translate into a successful NFL career?

Does Stanford Deserve a Spot in the College Football Playoffs?

Stanford has moved up to #4 in the country in the most recent Sagarin Rankings.

Arizona Wildcats at Stanford Cardinal Preview with Mark Rogers TV

Watch my first foray into video with Mark Rogers TV previewing Arizona at Stanford

Bill Connelly Gives His Take on Where Stanford Is in the Pecking Order

SB Nation's own director of analytics weighs in on the Pac-12 and, more specifically, Stanford.

Will the Stanford-Cal Big Game Determine the Pac-12 North Champion?

The advanced metrics now suggest that Cal (not Oregon) is #2 in the Pac-12 North.

Is Stanford the Favorite in the Pac-12?

Many advanced metrics and betting markets are now suggesting that Stanford (not Oregon) is most likely to win the Pac-12 Championship.

Special Interview with Rule of Tree Site Manager, Jack Blanchat

Come listen to our own site manager, Jack Blanchat, offer some of the smartest commentary in the industry.

Is Stanford the Ultimate Giant Slayer?

Since 2010, every single time Stanford's been a double-digit underdog, we have come up triumphant.

USC/Stanford Should Be Considered THE Rivalry in the Pac-12

Forget about Stanford-Cal. And forget about UCLA-USC. The most compelling rivalry in the Pac-12 is Stanford-USC.

Can the Cardinal Running Game Develop Identity Heading into USC?

A recap of what's happened in the last two games; is what we've seen so far enough to take on USC this Saturday?