The Stanford game was supposed to be a nice break in my week, but it just about gave me a heart attack. Even without Bryce Love, I expected the team to get a comfortable lead early on, so I could go study physics knowing the Cardinal would be 6-2 when I woke up the next morning.
Instead, the team imploded. They couldn't run or pass, and penalties and injuries continued to haunt the team. Ultimately though, David Shaw almost let this game slip away.
There's no doubt in my mind that Shaw should have benched Keller Chryst at halftime. Chryst went 7/16 for 82 yards, but he played much worse than his stats indicate. He threw into coverage, stared down receivers, and missed open guys. Early in the game, Chryst underthrew a wide open Trent Irwin in the red zone on third down. In fact, it was so underthrown that it should have been an interception. Stanford had to settle for a field goal.
Trailing 7-6 at halftime, I completely thought we'd see Costello start the opening series. The announcers thought so too. The team was unmotivated and uninspired, and KJ Costello was the spark we needed.
Who remembers UCLA?
Let's reminisce for a moment.
Like the Oregon State game, Stanford was losing and struggling on offense against UCLA. Then, K.J. Costello came in. He found success through the air and on the ground, but what truly set him apart from Chryst was his decision making. Costello scanned the field against the Bruins yet still managed to make quick throws. Meanwhile, Chryst continuously locked into one guy, and if he's not open, he'd either throw the ball anyway or just hold the ball and take the sack.
Above all though, I love Costello's mojo. He plays with emotion and fire, brings energy to the guys around him, and what was the result? Eight straight scoring drives. I honestly believe with him in the game Stanford would've blown out Oregon State in the second half.
I'm truly baffled over David Shaw's decision not to try Costello. He pulled the trigger years ago to play Kevin Hogan over Josh Nunes. So why is Shaw being so hesitant, especially when he let Chryst and Costello share snaps against Utah? Maybe he wanted to test Chryst’s mettle. Maybe Shaw's just stubborn.
On the bright side, Chryst and Stanford (eventually) clawed out a win against Oregon State.
Comments
I don't think anyone will argue with you on this one, Charlie
We’ve been beating this point to death on another blog. The clip of the UCLA game above indeed shows a team with a different vibe and a different mojo. We need that to get through the remainder of this season with maximal success. Will Coach Shaw acquiesce? I am skeptical.
By Jeff Tarnungus on 10.30.17 9:44am
There has to be some reason we are not aware of
Latent injury that is undisclosed? Disciplinary issues? Run-ins with Shaw? Tavita?
Something is up, because this isn’t playing out like Hogan/Nunes and there’s no obvious reason why it isn’t.
By Brendan Ross on 10.30.17 10:19am
Have to wonder as well
I saw the post-game presser and Shaw bristled when asked whether he thought about playing Costello and he made it clear that he wasn’t going to talk about it.
There definitely could be something up. But it’s also possible that the answer is more basic than we imagine. I’ve said this before and other’s have repeated it. Shaw may feel that when you have systemic problems, changing QB’s is punishing the player when the problem is with the coaching. Shaw has repeatedly talked about poor blocking and lack of a running game. Against USC, our running defense was atrocious. Shaw may be so focused on the execution errors, he may feel that judgment of Chryst is unfair, or rather Chryst is not getting a fair shot. Games like the Oregon game, are probably heavily contributing to Shaw’s mindset.
From the TV shots of Costello, based on KJ’s demeanor, it does not appear that KJ is in the doghouse. Costello was warming up and staying loose with his helmet on.
It is very frustrating.
By Blackjoy on 10.30.17 10:45am
KJ vs Keller
First, acknowledge Keller’s 4th down throw. It was marvelous. He has talent and CAN make the right decision quickly. The problem is he doesn’t normally. Assume Shaw kept him in the game so that he wouldn’t worry about mistakes. Unfortunately, it didn’t work.
Second, assume Coach Shaw won’t play KJ for two reasons. 1.) Keller is the son of coaches. Keeping them happy is important(?). 2.) Mills is spectacular, but if KJ gets experience, he’d keep Mills from playing.
Third, Coach Shaw continues as the worst play-caller imaginable. KJ fits play action well, Shaw doesn’t use it. Shaw thinks identity is more important than winning. And when he does focus on winning (half-time at OSU), the team overplays, like UCLA does.
Fourth, Shaw is simply the most overrated coach imaginable. Choosing KJ is a no-brainer.
By Dennis Ashendorf on 10.30.17 10:21am
Can't possibly agree that...
Shaw is overrated. Can’t. His record simply speaks volumes otherwise, not least by sustaining the momentum initiated by Jim; a feat that detractors often refuse to credit to him. His own record, clear of Harbaugh influence, is, well, shit, I wish I was that consistent.
I think all of us have witnessed occassional acute attacks of ARS (Andy Reid Syndrome), though. Playing not to lose can be a formula for not getting the win, and we’ve all seen it…
By Plan Man on 10.30.17 10:36am
A point I was going to make.
You’re right. People frequently seek to discredit Shaw by insisting Harbaugh should get the credit. But look at what happened to the 49’ers when Harbaugh left.
By Blackjoy on 10.30.17 10:48am
And Harbaugh also isn't making the Wolverines exactly walk on water
Shaw is a better coach than Harbaugh because, among other qualities, he is simply more sustainable, and that matters in college.
By Brendan Ross on 10.30.17 11:01am
Maybe not...
But he certainly turned the Wolverines around. Also, to be fair, he can’t be faulted for the dreadful luck with respect to the QB injuries. I’d say Michigan is on par with Stanford at the moment, but that being said, it shouldn’t be. As storied as that program is, it should be on OSU’s level in the Big 10, and fully in the mix for the CFP.
By drkato9 on 10.31.17 1:02pm
Another thought...
…Keller’s 4th down throw was damn near a pick. Keller’s throw was a throw into coverage. Kaden’s grab was a highlight reel special. I hope he stays through his eligibility…
By Plan Man on 10.30.17 10:46am
Shaw told him to make that throw
In Shaw’s post-game, he had told Keller to take that throw if OSU gives it to you. It appears that Shaw has actually been advocating that Chryst throw more jump balls to the TE’s and JJ. Only this time Chryst put the ball in the perfect spot, as opposed to say the SDSU game.
By Blackjoy on 10.30.17 10:49am
Fiddy-fiddies...
By Plan Man on 10.30.17 10:51am
Normally I'd be preaching "but UCLA is a bad defense! We can't learn much from his performance against a bad defense!"
But you know who else has a bad defense? Oregon State! There really was just no reason not to go to KJ at some point, even if for a series.
By John Nguyen on 10.30.17 10:59am
Almost all of us agree
But Shaw is gonna Shaw.
By worldblee on 10.30.17 11:45am
I wonder what Keller think about all this...
And how it’s affecting him mentally. If he’s aware of all the internet rage going on, does he still feel he’s up for the job? It must be tough knowing you’re no longer wanted. Maybe he’ll crack and just give up?
By StanfordAA99 on 10.30.17 11:57am
Yes, I have been asking myself the same thing
But I suspect he is ignoring the fan clamor and the outside noise (if that is possible). Hard to say how he is responding. But if Shaw starts him, he will play.
By Jeff Tarnungus on 10.30.17 1:57pm
i've heard shaw say before in interviews
that while he doesn’t keep them off of social media explicitly, he makes sure they’re busy enough to not have time for it.
that being said, i think anyone here who has been in intense emotional situations such as sports events knows that you tend to be 100% focused on the task at hand.
By hutre67 on 10.30.17 3:04pm
Hmm
My son is a college football player, div 3, they are on social media all the time. You can’t make them too busy to participate, because it doesn’t take long chunks of time to participate. Keller knows what is being said. As for how he reacts, I have no idea, that is dependent on him and his psyche and character.
By Brendan Ross on 10.30.17 3:08pm
I was at the SDSU game and he was heckled mercilessly by a few Stanford fans. I was a few rows up behind the Stanford bench, and pretty sure he could hear. Not social media- but in person probably worse. I was embarrassed as an alum and fan that a few were behaving this way- at the end of the day these are all kids and student-athletes. Tough situation for him- but still don’t see how Costello doesn’t start.
By SD Card on 10.30.17 4:17pm
I was going to say...
…regardless of social media policy, there’s no way the noise doesn’t make its way through. But, frankly, it’s that way in high school, too, and was when I played team sports – long before electronic interference.
Like any other endeavor, if you’re made of an alloy that’s meant for great things, you don’t let it get to you, I think…
By Plan Man on 10.30.17 4:29pm
That's ugly
You don’t heckle fellow Stanford family members and student athletes. Ugh.
By Brendan Ross on 10.30.17 4:51pm
SD Card and Brendan, I could not agree any more.
By Max McArthur on 10.30.17 4:54pm
Yeah, that is totally uncool.
By drkato9 on 10.31.17 1:05pm
Chryst should have started this game based on last game's performance but costello deserved atleast 1 series to spark the team
This is why everyone here believes something’s up internally because here’s a guy who switched a red-hot ryan burns in the first game against K-State last year to give chryst a series. So it just doesn’t compute. At this point, I really hope costello doesn’t transfer because he elevates the rest of the team and the offensive side has enough talent to contend for pac-12 championships even starting from this year.
By layman on 10.30.17 1:05pm
Playing the Devil's Advocate
I honestly never felt like there was a great time to bring in Costello once Chryst started. Because of all the associated problems with the team, I knew Shaw would not bench Chryst. The feeling I got was exactly what I’ve been posting, Shaw was not going to lay this all on Chryst. And when Costello failed to even make an appearance in the 1st half, I knew there was no way Shaw was going to play him in the 2nd.
Having said that, it seems impossible that there isn’t some other X-factor at work here.
By Blackjoy on 10.30.17 1:22pm
Costello is the future, and there is really no question about it.
While I still feel that Coach Shaw is one of the best in the game, I also feel that in this case he is letting his entire team down by maintaining loyalty to a single player. Chryst is a great kid, and a good football player, but he simply has not looked the same since his surgery. Costello on the other hand, has been lights out every time he touches the ball. Though I seriously doubt it, I am so hoping Coach Shaw flips it on the world and starts Costello next week with no prior explanation. In any case, cheers y’all, and ROLL RED.
By Max McArthur on 10.30.17 2:14pm