10-02-2011, 08:13 AM
Ignore the stats, the pass defense is not a problem.
Our staff CLEARLY believes the defense should stop the run at all costs. If a team starts running on the D, then Stanford will be in deep trouble. Given that bias, most teams need to pass and pass a lot. The way teams recruit today, most teams are going to be able to play a little game of catch for 4-5 yards per play. It really is difficult in the Pac-12 to stop the run, pressure the QBs with blitzes AND hold the pass game down all night long.
So given our scheme, the big question is what happens after the catch. In most cases, the Stanford D tackles immediately. For example, this was how Foles could have that big run and only have 3 points through a large portion of the UofA game. So no worries.
Most college teams will not be able to play consistently enough in the pass game to win. The pass attempts also open teams up for various blitzes, sacks, fumbles, and turnovers. The trick is to make a team need to complete 15+ pass plays to drive those 80 yards.
Cal, UW, Colorado, Wazzu and OSU are not going to beat the D that played last night. No worries there at all. And all of those teams will certainly struggle with Luck and the TEs. The Notre Dame team only rarely plays at the required level, so it should be OK there too. That would make this team a 9 or 10 win team, and really by Stanford standards they would be one of the best in our history.
Unfortunately, Oregon, and perhaps USC, can carve up Ds that play that scheme and keep it going drive after drive. USC lacks a D so that might be OK, but Oregon... :(
On a totally different theme. Stanford Stadium was packaged as having the ability to expand with temporary stands, if needed. If the Pac-12 game was at Stanford would the stadium get temporary seats? How much lead time would the school need? Since all of the November games are already sell outs, basically, could the stands be added for all of the games in November?
Our staff CLEARLY believes the defense should stop the run at all costs. If a team starts running on the D, then Stanford will be in deep trouble. Given that bias, most teams need to pass and pass a lot. The way teams recruit today, most teams are going to be able to play a little game of catch for 4-5 yards per play. It really is difficult in the Pac-12 to stop the run, pressure the QBs with blitzes AND hold the pass game down all night long.
So given our scheme, the big question is what happens after the catch. In most cases, the Stanford D tackles immediately. For example, this was how Foles could have that big run and only have 3 points through a large portion of the UofA game. So no worries.
Most college teams will not be able to play consistently enough in the pass game to win. The pass attempts also open teams up for various blitzes, sacks, fumbles, and turnovers. The trick is to make a team need to complete 15+ pass plays to drive those 80 yards.
Cal, UW, Colorado, Wazzu and OSU are not going to beat the D that played last night. No worries there at all. And all of those teams will certainly struggle with Luck and the TEs. The Notre Dame team only rarely plays at the required level, so it should be OK there too. That would make this team a 9 or 10 win team, and really by Stanford standards they would be one of the best in our history.
Unfortunately, Oregon, and perhaps USC, can carve up Ds that play that scheme and keep it going drive after drive. USC lacks a D so that might be OK, but Oregon... :(
On a totally different theme. Stanford Stadium was packaged as having the ability to expand with temporary stands, if needed. If the Pac-12 game was at Stanford would the stadium get temporary seats? How much lead time would the school need? Since all of the November games are already sell outs, basically, could the stands be added for all of the games in November?