***Editors Note: This article was originally submitted as a fanpost by user BuckeyeCardinal we are resubmitting it here. If you would like to submit your own fanpost we strongly encourage you to do so here. If it is great, we'll probably move it to the front page like this one.
————-—-—---——-—-----—
For the first time in the history of the Pac-12 Stanford has been voted number one in the preseason poll. Here are my five reason why the writers were correct and Stanford will win the Pac-12 for the fourth time in six years.
1. Christian McCaffrey- Now this is an easy one, McCaffrey is now the single season all-purpose yards record and he is returning for his junior season to help the Cardinal offense.
2. Bryce Love, Michael Rector, and Dalton Schultz – With teams almost guaranteed to have a defensive game plan forcing someone else on the Cardinal’s offense to beat them not named Christian McCaffrey. This is where the trio of Love, Rector and Schultz come in. Rector and Love average over 16 yards per reception last year and with team stacking the box Love and Rector should find themselves frequently covered one on one. Which will give these two talented playmakers room to operate in the open field. Schultz the former number one overall tight end in the 2014 class will finally get a chance to show his skills as the number one tight end for the Stanford offense
3. Secondary- The secondary features two senior safeties and two sophomore corners who last year showed a great nose for the ball. In a conference that has become very pass happy having young but experienced corners with a nose for the football could come up huge again in big games.
4. Solomon Thomas – Towards the end of the 2015 season, Thomas looked almost unblockable in the Pac-12 title game and the Rose Bowl. Which could be a huge help for a defensive line that probably will feature a tight end turned defensive end and a nose tackle coming off an injury last year.
5. David Shaw – In five season as the head coach for Stanford David Shaw has won the Pac-12 in three of those five season. Shaw also brings into the season arguablly one of his most talented rosters in his time at Stanford.
Let me know your thoughts on the Cardinals being picked to win the Pac-12 this season.
Comments
Very excited for the upcoming Season. The Cardinal should have an excellent shot at the college playoff.
By Kevin Matthews Aztec on 08.06.16 8:33am
Fear The Tree.
What a magical season in 2015. Take away the 2 losses and what could have been. Our QB needs to realize he has really good players of both sides of the ball to help him out. Just keep mistakes to a minimum, study game film 24/7, and hand the ball off to McCaffrey and Love. The QB only has to look at Alabama the past 2 seasons and see that a new QB came through for them. If the offensive and defensive lines come through I have to believe we’ll be okay.
By bodumb on 08.06.16 9:57am
Offensive Line
Once again, I think the biggest determination of our success this season rests with the offensive line, especially at Center. If Jesse Burkett is able to step up and direct the line, then this will be another spectacular season. I’m not as concerned with the defensive line because the secondary is so talented, so I envision a lot of "coverage sacks" where opposing QBs can’t find open targets (just like in the Rose Bowl).
Very excited for the upcoming season. Go Card!!
By StanfordRico on 08.07.16 11:13am
That, and the schedule...
When Bill Connelly previewed Stanford, he pointed out that Stanford could realistically play at a top ten level, and STILL open the season 1-3. So, even if the offensive line—and all other units—are in peak form, Stanford’s schedule could very realistically get in its way as well.
By Matt Vassar on 08.07.16 2:48pm
Schedule
is what concerns me. It’s an awfully hard schedule for a first year QB and lots of newcomers on the OL. Lots of tough road games on the schedule this year. It’s just the cycle the team is on schedule-wise and how that matches up with quality opponents, but right now in even years we play most of the hard games away, while in odd years we play most of them at home. Even years are killers for us, really. I think the team will be top-notch in quality, but the schedule is just exceptionally hard this year, and it makes me skeptical that we will escape it without at least 2 losses, perhaps 3.
By Brendan Ross on 08.08.16 6:13am