[Mick]

My goal for Stanford is the playoffs.  If Stanford's divisional opponents are weak, it makes Stanford look weak by association.  Since Power 5 conference champions are not guaranteed playoff berths, it is in the best interest of Stanford that the North is a strong division as a whole -- yes, including C.al.  Stanford's resume took a big hit this week with SC and Northwestern looking awful, so it would have been nice for C.al to steal a win there.  I know how rivalries work -- believe me, nobody is a bigger Dodger hater than me.  But under the current playoff system, the unfortunate reality is that a good SC and a good C.al is a net benefit for Stanford, assuming the good guys can take care of their own business.

I'm not trying to convert you to my way of thinking, just explaining my logic to you in the hopes of clearing up some of your expressed confusion.  Schadenfreude alone doesn't really do it for me.

By and large, I agree, but I'm not horribly concerned about strength of schedule at this point.  C.al and U.tah have the #6 and #7 SoS.  Northwestern is #5. I think we'll be OK by the end of the year.

[Mick]

My goal for Stanford is the playoffs.  If Stanford's divisional opponents are weak, it makes Stanford look weak by association.  Since Power 5 conference champions are not guaranteed playoff berths, it is in the best interest of Stanford that the North is a strong division as a whole -- yes, including C.al.  Stanford's resume took a big hit this week with SC and Northwestern looking awful, so it would have been nice for C.al to steal a win there.  I know how rivalries work -- believe me, nobody is a bigger Dodger hater than me.  But under the current playoff system, the unfortunate reality is that a good SC and a good C.al is a net benefit for Stanford, assuming the good guys can take care of their own business.

I'm not trying to convert you to my way of thinking, just explaining my logic to you in the hopes of clearing up some of your expressed confusion.  Schadenfreude alone doesn't really do it for me.

By and large, I agree, but I'm not horribly concerned about strength of schedule at this point.  C.al and U.tah have the #6 and #7 SoS.  Northwestern is #5. I think we'll be OK by the end of the year.