10 year anniversary!

of the (no-longer) greatest upset ever. if for no other reason, i’d like that to be the reason stanford wins.

here’s hoping to usc being the vegas favorite.

i caution stanford fans to not read into usc’s performance vs wm too much. enough people thought that about stanford after northwestern, and well – we all know how that season ended up. (nb: espn’s FPI is on our side.)

By hutre67 on 09.03.17 2:30pm

Yes, I would not try to conclude too much from either season-opener

Having watched the WMU-USC game, I concluded the following:
1) USC’s run-game is potent. We will have defend against a three-headed juggernaut.
2) Yes, the Trojan D-line did not look stellar, and that clearly plays into Stanford’s run-first strategy. But this was week one; and USC has an entire week to work out the kinks.
3) Darnold looked less than dominant. But again, it was the first game. He also needs to find his rhythm again. Our DBs will need to be at the top of their game to shut him down.

We have a legitimate shot to win the game, but so do they. Obviously, it would be nice to see a repeat of the 2015 game in the Coliseum (41-31 for Stanford), when USC was the clear favorite. After the first week, I will be curious to see which team is favored. My guess: USC by 3.5.

By Jeff Tarnungus on 09.03.17 3:05pm

I think this is right

They will play better than they did against WMU — if anything that looked like a flat performance with a closed playbook and Darnold not yet feeling good about his new targets. The running game looked very good. DL not so hot, but we will see next week. WMU is probably a better team than Rice (not close to what they were last year, but Rice is not good at all, really), but Troy was at home and was losing until halfway through the 4th, so there’s that. I agree, though, that reading too much into week 1 is not a great idea. I expect Troy to play much better against us (they do hate us and all that, and have something prove after this week’s performance, which has criticism sailing in from the fans). It will be a severe test for our team I think. Spread? No idea, but 3.5 seems reasonable. Before the WMU game I was thinking it would be 7-10, but probably not now.

By Brendan Ross on 09.03.17 5:04pm

If loving this is wrong...

I don’t wanna be right.

I’m thinking the same thoughts. I’m gonna go with that. Yeah, SC might have gotten a wake-up call this week, but since November ‘63 (my first Indians home game), I don’t think I’ve ever seen a season opener like Sydney. Ever. Not even when Dad would hand over the Buck Club pass and the tickets to SJSU back in the 70’s, and we would fling Carnation malted milk lids onto the field for an hour, listening to the Incomparables, after the game. I’m feeling Plunkett to Vataha down in my soul.

So, FEAR the freakin’ tree, says I.

By Plan Man on 09.03.17 6:02pm

There Are Certainly Question Marks About Both Teams

But the play so far (limited as it is) suggests that this is going to be a toss up. The only advantage I see to USC is playing at home. The USC running attack is deep and powerful and Darnold, despite looking a bit awkward on Saturday, certainly has the tape to show that he can play. He is not a perceived Heisman candidate only because he is at USC. So our D will be challenged. At the same time, Western Michigan ran the ball down USC’s throats which surprised the heck out of me. It bodes well for Stanford on that front.

We win the game if Keller Chryst does not turn the ball over and continues to make good use of his tight ends. We need to focus on getting to 3rd down and short to give our playbook the maximum options, and to keep drives going. Too many times last year Shaw opted for a deep pass on the 3rd when a five yard slant would do for the first down. We have the tools to move the ball in a shorter passing game, in the tight ends and in Wedington.

USC is going to score on us. We need to be able to respond in kind….and more.

Should be a really great game.

By hoyaparanoia on 09.03.17 6:17pm

For me, this is "the game to watch" every season

I’m soooo looking forward to this game. Should be a great game no matter who wins (but obviously I’m rooting all the way for the cardinal).

My Stanford flag is going up in my front yard later today. Gotta get mine up before my USC alum neighbors get theirs up.

My sister-in-law (a USC fan) said "oh poor Darnold, he’s under so much pressure to perform. USC fans gotta give him a break."
That made me laugh…

Poor Darnold!!!! Hahahah

Go Card! Take every advantage of Darnold you can.

By StanfordAA99 on 09.04.17 10:19am

USC will be a competitive opponent

Western Michigan looked alot stronger than Rice…. They were able to run and pass on USC. USC made some adjustments and pulled it out but it was no easy game. Darnold looked ok but yes he may be a bit overrated.

The Cardinal will need good play at the quarterback position. He looked flat last week in the win over Rice. Hope that was just first game jitters. This game will make or break Chryst

By Slot_Man22 on 09.04.17 1:37pm

Before jumping to conclusion after week 1. Every matchup, every opponent, and every game is different. The weather in LA Memorial Coliseum that day was 110 Degrees easily!! WMU went 13-1 last season & most of they players return. They went to the BCS Cotton Bowl game 13-0 facing a then #9 Wisconsin & both slug it out in a close ball game. They ran the ball against a then #9 Wisconsin with success in the BCS game.

Not so sure why everyone not giving WMU credit for being a good team?? This game reminded me of FCS App St upset of FBS then #5 Michigan 10 years ago. Nobody gave FCS App St team a fighting chance.

Expect defensive guru Clancy Pendergast to make adjustments to his defensive front alignment. i watched the entire Rice/Stanford game and it looked like QB Keller Chryst’s right knee not 100% heal. He got hit a couple times in the knee area and the rest of his passes beyond 20+ yards way off!!

Last season USC had less defensive linemen and the game was pretty close until Michael Rector ran a end-around reverse to score a TD & then the other TD came with USC blowing coverage assignment allowing Christian McCaffrey wide open into the end zone on a long pass.

By Popeye Sailorman on 09.04.17 4:09pm

How much is SC missing StevieT?

I am definitely not reading a lot into the rush defense because of the heat (well lets also discount SC’s rushing attack too a little). But, what will be more concerning is that entire DL was getting pushed back 3-4 yards before they could even make contact on the runner. Against stanford that’s the last thing you want to do because david shaw lives on those 3-4 yards on first down because it opens up the playbook.

Last year, our ogre lineman had about 20 snaps in the games and stanford just pounded the front seven while working those wrinkles. I am expecting clancy to dial a lot more blitzes but if his DL can’t penetrate like a leonard williams or StevieT that leaves a lot of holes in the second level against someone as elusive as bryce love

(Also utah is the only pac-12 team that has consistently knocked our running game cold)

By layman on 09.04.17 6:32pm

Problem is DC Clancy Pendergast doesn’t like to substitute a whole lot, playing the guys he trust. HC Clay Helton mentioned that in many of his practice interviews that DC Clancy doesn’t like too many subs. As oppose to WMU Tim Lester, he said after the Post Game press interview that he substituted his Defense every other play to keep ’em fresh because it was so Freaking hot. Nick Saban said after beating USC 56-7 last season that the BIG GUYS are much different than the LB, DB, WR, or RB. "That Once the tank is empty on the Big Guys, it takes a whole day, while the other smaller more athletic guys can reenergize and go at it again.", Nick Saban.

Since this is a long season without a BYE week, i’m thinking DC Clancy Pendergast should heed Nick Saban’s advice. Substitute so the guys can stay fresh and healthy throughout this season. Some mental mistakes & injuries occur because guys are tire/fatigue.

Give credit to WMU for fighting hard, in my opinion, I think Both WMU RBs will be the BEST duo USC will face this year!!

Yeah, USC success in the trenches was credited to Stevie T and HC Clay Helton reiterate that fact in many of his interviews during and after the season. it also didn’t help to have LB Cameron Smith suspended in the 1st Half. Also didn’t help USC had penalties, 2 bad calls, a trick play where Porter Gustin should’ve intercepted the ball and probably would 9 out of 10 times.. The bad interception call at the 7 yard line he was out of bounds, and then the chop block where the WMU guy just grab the Chris Brown’s jersey before falling down.

Overall, the Offensive Line did a better than expected job paving the way for USC’s 6 Rushing Touchdowns!! That OL unit was supposed to be the weakest link. Link I said, Overated Jack Jones & Chris Hawkins need to tackle better!!!

By Popeye Sailorman on 09.04.17 7:07pm

USC Offensive Line

USC Offensive Line was the talking point this summer being the Weakest link. it didn’t look like it pushing and shoving and paving it’s way for USC’s 6 Rushing Touchdowns!! Didn’t think they were the weak link since 3 of ’em are Seniors, 1 Junior, 1 reshirt junior, and they all had 3 years of playing experience.

i think the USC weakness is Jack Jones and Chris Hawkins. if those 2 guys can improve their Tackling, and the Defensive Line holding their own then this will be a big advantage to USC.

By Popeye Sailorman on 09.04.17 4:18pm

What to expect from USC

Defensively
1. In anticipation of Pac-12 passing attacks, SC installed a 2-4-5 defense. West.Mich. showed this doesn’t work against the run. So expect them to revert to 3-4-4. SC supposedly has depth in it’s defensive line, but they don’t seem to have huge bulk. So the Stanford O-line (which also has depth) could wear them down, setting up some patented 4th quarter lengthy marches down the field, eating up valuable time and precluding SC from getting the ball for its late game heroics.
2. SC’s linebackers, as a group, are excellent. Not so sure how deep they are, though, as they didn’t really jell or get their act together until Cameron Scarlett entered in the second half. Expect SC to use them to cover at least one of the tight ends over the middle. Also expect them to blitz far more than Rice did, particularly if Chryst keeps taking too long to throw. Chryst’s ability to anticipate the blitz and the tight ends’ ability to separate from linebacker coverage could go a long way to a Stanford victory.
3. Somebody has to cover Stanford’s tight ends in the middle. That means when Stanford sends out 4 receivers, Trent Irwin should receive single coverage. If ever there was a time for a break out game by him, this is it.
4. Bryce Love will catch at least 5 passes. Didn’t need to against Rice. But if he gets some of these with space in front of him, no SC linebacker is fast enough to stop him.
5. Not sure who views Clancy Pendergast as a defensive guru, as both Penn State and West. Mich. put up big numbers on SC’s defense. One thing the Rice game showed, though, was that David Shaw is a definite offensive guru.

Offensively
1. Sam Darnold is not overrated. He has a great touch on his deep throws. He zips short to medium length throws on a line. He takes almost no time to get the ball away, precluding sacks. And he can move and throw outside the pocket. His only "weakness" that I could see is that he makes snap judgments on his throws, often passing before the receiver makes his break. These are hard balls to catch and the SC receivers showed that. This also requires crisp route running. Expect the SC receivers to drop far fewer balls in their second game and to run tighter routes. Stanford’s linebackers and particularly safeties need to disguise coverages as well as they can if they hope to exploit Darnold’s "weakness."
2. SC’s runners are very, very fast, and Allen is both fast and strong. If they are not forced to slow down or vary their route behind the line, they are as dangerous as Bryce Love when they get to the linebackers or safeties. And they can both cut back with devastating consequences. Stanford’s middle linebackers need to read the plays quickly, react to the hole, tackle, and bring them down. Arm tackles won’t work against Allen. With Tyler back in the lineup, the outside linebackers should be able to hold down the edges. [Where did student body left and student body right go?] So the effectiveness of the SC offense will depend on the effectiveness of Stanford’s inside linebackers.
3. Unlike many other offenses, SC uses the three-wide-to-one-side formation for two reasons. First, Darnold can zip the ball out there very quickly for an easy 6-8 yard gain. Second, if Stanford commits too many to stop that, it opens the middle up for its excellent run game. Expect this formation a lot, until and unless Stanford’s linebackers demonstrate they can stop it.
4. SC’s O-line will be better in the Stanford game. They will be fired up, far more than against West. Mich. It will also not be so beastly hot, so they should demonstrate good staying power. The good news for Stanford is that because SC trailed WMU for much of the game, the line was forced to show its stuff throughout the game. Nothing the SC O-line does should be a surprise. In fact, SC had to show a lot of its play book in that first game. So, except for a few inevitable trick plays, Stanford’s coaches should have the defense well prepared.
5. With the possible exception of Luke Falk at WSU, Darnold will be the biggest test for the Stanford d-backs all year. (Sorry, UCLA’s Rosen may think he’s in the same class as these two as a thrower, but he’s not.) Stanford can’t stop SC’s run game without solid one-on-one coverage of SC’s wide outs. Expect some close plays and hope the refs don’t develop rabbit ears in front of a vocal, hostile Coliseum crowd.

SC has the better QB. SC has the stronger linebacker group. Respective running backs are a wash. But, except for a few position players, Stanford has the better position groups at all other positions (and, yes, that includes the D-line). So it should be close, as usual, with the winner deserving playoff consideration.

By SU74 on 09.04.17 5:19pm