[washingtonismoney]

[quote author=Griffin78 link=topic=4833.msg34558#msg34558 date=1320594060]
Think that the closest defense to LSU/Bama we've seen has been SC in terms of size, speed, and athleticism, though probably not the same breadth of quality and probably not the same depth.

We didn't exactly bowl over SC and they are younger, less experienced. But it does give you a sense.

Agree about the SC defense being the one the team faced that is closest to SEC quality.  And, not surprisingly, it was our toughest test.  I wonder, though, how the offense would have looked if they had all three tight ends available.  Those have definitely been the most dangerous plays in the Stanford playbook all year, and present the most problems for opposing defenses.  If the team can get past Oregon and get Ertz back to finish out the year, (and assuming Toilolo and Fleener stay healthy), I would LOVE to see how those SEC defenses respond to the Tree Amigos.
[/quote]

To me the biggest factor re: the SC defense was our stubborn playcalling. We kept on running on first down into a stacked box, putting us behind schedule and allowing their defensive line to rush the passer with abandon.

In the third quarter we started passing on first down--we had thirteen total passes on first down for the game, ten after the second drive of the second half--and not coincidentally we scored on six of the ensuing eight possessions.

[washingtonismoney]

[quote author=Griffin78 link=topic=4833.msg34558#msg34558 date=1320594060]
Think that the closest defense to LSU/Bama we've seen has been SC in terms of size, speed, and athleticism, though probably not the same breadth of quality and probably not the same depth.

We didn't exactly bowl over SC and they are younger, less experienced. But it does give you a sense.

Agree about the SC defense being the one the team faced that is closest to SEC quality.  And, not surprisingly, it was our toughest test.  I wonder, though, how the offense would have looked if they had all three tight ends available.  Those have definitely been the most dangerous plays in the Stanford playbook all year, and present the most problems for opposing defenses.  If the team can get past Oregon and get Ertz back to finish out the year, (and assuming Toilolo and Fleener stay healthy), I would LOVE to see how those SEC defenses respond to the Tree Amigos.
[/quote]

To me the biggest factor re: the SC defense was our stubborn playcalling. We kept on running on first down into a stacked box, putting us behind schedule and allowing their defensive line to rush the passer with abandon.

In the third quarter we started passing on first down--we had thirteen total passes on first down for the game, ten after the second drive of the second half--and not coincidentally we scored on six of the ensuing eight possessions.