We’ll learn a lot about the Stanford Cardinal football team on September 9th when they play the USC Trojans, but until then, we can only fantasize. Let’s do exactly that.
Imagine if Stanford beats USC. The college football world would be shocked, Sam Darnold wouldn’t be the leading Heisman candidate, and Stanford fans would forget the departures of Christian McCaffrey and Solomon Thomas.
Although I think it’s unlikely the Cardinal return to Palo Alto undefeated, I think it’s possible, and if anybody can beat USC in the PAC-12, it is Stanford. Luckily, they’ll head down to the Coliseum before USC has the chance to find their groove. With a inexperienced offensive line and receivers, the Trojans might be vulnerable to start the year, and Stanford has the skill to take them down. The Cardinal have arguably the best secondary in the country, and one of the best running backs in the PAC-12. Plus, all signs indicate Keller Chryst is one hundred percent healthy.
More importantly, David Shaw will need to find an answer at the defensive line. Maybe, Harrison Phillips blooms into a total beast and dominates the USC line, but more realistically, Stanford will look for another solid players to pair with Phillips. Like I said, the offensive line could be a weakness for the Trojans, and the Cardinal need to put pressure on Sam Darnold in order to have a fighting chance.
If Stanford beats USC, they’ll be a top ten team and have clear sailing for a while.
When’s the last time we lost to UCLA?
Arizona State?
Stanford vs Utah could be a fight but they should manage.
Can we still consider Oregon a good team?
Oregon State?
Then, Stanford heads to Pullman. Washington State blew us out last year and is returning their star quarterback. Offensively, Stanford couldn’t run the ball at all against the Cougars, and this year, Washington State pretty much returns every one on the front seven. If Stanford controls the line, this game could be a shootout.
Mike Leach with the Air Raid offense likes to throw, throw again, and throw some more. Luke Falk picked apart the secondary last season and will tire out the corners again, but Stanford played without Alijah Holder and Quenton Meeks last year. To win this game, Stanford will need to be healthy, but in a dream world, no one gets hurt, so the Cardinal pull away with a victory.
Up next is Washington. Another tough game for Stanford, but honestly, I’m less nervous about this game. Still, this will be a a very hard game to win but definitely doable.
I think the Huskies literally lost every secondary player, and if Keller Chryst can progress into a star, the Cardinal could pass all over the Huskies. However last year, Stanford couldn’t even get a pass off with so many Washington defenders finding their way into backfield, and the offensive line needs to give their quarterback more time to pass. If Chryst and the offensive line improve, Stanford can win this game at home.
After November 10th, the Cardinal get two very winnable rivalry games.
Cal is Cal.
And Notre Dame is one bad season away from firing Brian Kelly.
Stanford would be undefeated at this point and face the Trojans in the PAC-12 Championship for a highly anticipated rematch, but it is tough to beat any team twice in one season especially USC. Would it be too optimistic to say Stanford could beat USC twice in a season?
Ultimate dream scenario: Stanford finishes the year 12-1 or 13-0, and makes the College Football playoff.
A more realistic but still optimistic scenario: Ok, I got a little carried away. Stanford has a really slim chance at that successful of a season. They couldn’t make the national championship or playoff with Andrew Luck or Christian McCaffrey, and they probably can’t do it with this team. Still, this team is really good and has a good chance to win the North.
If this team beats the Washington schools and competes with USC in the PAC-12 Championship, they’ll make a New Year’s Six Bowl, and I’ll be a happy camper.
Comments
No one should be "shocked"
If Stanford beats USC it shouldn’t be a "shocker". My guess is USC will be 7 point favorites which wouldn’t amount to that big an upset.
I think it boils down to whether or not Stanford can move the ball and eat up clock and not put all the weight on the shoulders of the defense as they did most of last season.
By kollesteral on 08.12.17 10:34am
Need to pressure Darnold durinf USC game
One key to success against USC: D-line needs to get in Darnold’s face. Our secondary will be healthy then, rely on our corners and safeties… just disrupt Darnold and then mix it up on offense and we have a fighting chance
By StanfordAA99 on 08.12.17 10:39am
It's the rush defense and 3rd down offense that will decide it
As shaky as that SC line will be when facing us, they still ran it down our throats last year. With darnold manning the QB spot it’s vital we stop the run to make their offense 1-dimensional and then unleashing our OLBs for the pass rush. Even if they can create the pressure darnold is elusive in the pocket unlike Barkley or Kessler.
On offense we will have to contend with the pendergast 5-2 defense. They will surely stack the box and dare us to beat man to man. So the success of our running game on standard downs and converting the third downs will be key
By layman on 08.12.17 3:56pm
SC has a reputation for playing blow expectations, based on their level of talent...
…especially early in the season. It might be a good thing that we’re getting them early in September. Though Shaw’s teams have a tendency to start the season slowly as well, SC may also not have hit their stride yet.
By FlbrkMike on 08.12.17 3:07pm
I agree. I think it will help that we are playing them early in the season and hopefully they are still working some kinks out which would let us take advantage of some weaker position groups
By Chasen Chacón on 08.15.17 3:06pm
Dream scenario : pac-12 champions
If we settle into our roles early on and catch the right injury brakes then it comes down to that UW game. Beat them and enter pac-12 ccg and then let shaw’s game planning take over. The man has yet to lose a championship game. 11-2 after another new year drubbing will delight this cardinal fan
By layman on 08.12.17 4:00pm
Fear the Tree.
I have my Christmas List. 1) Beat N. Dumb. 2) Beat the so-called big 3 Cal teams who always seems to garner all the favorable publicity. 3) Stay healthy. 4) QB’s upgrade their game, and get the ball out to those talented receivers. 5) Take care of the home field. 6) Shaw to open up the "O" and show the defenses some new wrinkles. A little trickery, deception just might be what the doctor ordered.
By bodumb on 08.12.17 8:25pm
More than capable
Every year Stanford has a chance to make it to the playoff with last year and the year we went 8-5 being an exception. A few years ago we would have been in the playoff if it werent for the 3 point loss to Oregon. This year all players have matured, especially our O line and secondary, which were two of our biggest weaknesses last year. Of course any team can look at their schedule and find a way to an undefeated year but Stanford can realistically do so. Stanford has never received the appropriate amount of hype for the amount of talent and experience that they have on their roster and coaching staff. Every game we can match up nicely with the other squad and the two toughest games on the season (USC and Washington) pose threats but nothing that Stanford isn’t used to seeing year in and year out. We can 100% go 12-1 or 13-0 and earn a spot in the playoff, something that we have been so close to for a couple years.
By Chasen Chacón on 08.15.17 3:04pm