[Mick]

[quote author=Mick link=topic=11701.msg185577#msg185577 date=1483925557]
[quote author=ThePOC link=topic=11701.msg185557#msg185557 date=1483915521]
Unless, of course, he leaves one game earlier than we feel he should. Then we will grab the pitchforks.

Well, sure.  It was just 1/13th of the season, but it was the most important 1/13th.
[/quote]
If I had to choose between the win vs UNC and the win vs Southern ןɐɔ I would choose the latter.
If I had to choose between the win against UNC and the win vs Kal I would choose the latter.
If I could trade the win vs UNC for a win against Washington, Washington State or Colorado I would trade.
I would also keep our other conference wins, particularly vs UCLA, if forced to choose vs the UNC win.
I would also keep the win vs Votre Dame if forced to choose, others may feel differently.
Everyone is entitled to their own ranking but for me the bowl game win clearly ranks below each of the conference games in importance, as well as ranking lower in importance than our win over recruiting rival (and decidedly unpleasant fan base) Votre Dame.

I was among the first to object to the Sun Bowl being characterized as "meaningless" or "an exhibition". It was a nationally televised game against a strong opponent, and every game is critical in getting to 10 wins which I consider an important milestone. But in terms of importance to the program the game was far less important than a number of other games on the schedule.
[/quote]

For me, it was the culmination of the season.  It's the postseason, the last game.  The last chance for the fans and scouts to see you.  You mentioned how important it was to get to ten wins, it was the 10th win. 

I don't find your "If I had to choose" comments particularly meaningful.  Every in-season win is precious, chiefly to get to the best possible post-season win.  And of course, you can't choose and you can't trade.

The Sun Bowl had the third-highest TV ratings of Stanford's season, behind UCLA and Washington, and ahead of all the others.

You have your opinion, I have mine.  But to circle back to the original discussion...I think it was silly of McCaffrey to sit the game out.  The game had a tremendous impact on Thomas' desireability, some sites have him as a Top 10 selection.  That game probably made him two million dollars.  McCaffrey?  We'll see where he goes.  Four different mock drafts including USA Today, the Bleacher Report, SI MMQB and thebiglead.com thinks McCaffrey will go to New England at the end of the first round.  Maybe they know something.  Maybe New England told his agent "Stay out of the game, we'll take you with our first rounder."  Two days ago, Yahoo sports put McCaffrey mid-second round for the Vikings.  Walter Football and Land of 10 both say Ravens, w the #47 pick.

So there's the range.  Last pick of the first round to mid-second round.  We'll see where he falls.

[Mick]

[quote author=Mick link=topic=11701.msg185577#msg185577 date=1483925557]
[quote author=ThePOC link=topic=11701.msg185557#msg185557 date=1483915521]
Unless, of course, he leaves one game earlier than we feel he should. Then we will grab the pitchforks.

Well, sure.  It was just 1/13th of the season, but it was the most important 1/13th.
[/quote]
If I had to choose between the win vs UNC and the win vs Southern ןɐɔ I would choose the latter.
If I had to choose between the win against UNC and the win vs Kal I would choose the latter.
If I could trade the win vs UNC for a win against Washington, Washington State or Colorado I would trade.
I would also keep our other conference wins, particularly vs UCLA, if forced to choose vs the UNC win.
I would also keep the win vs Votre Dame if forced to choose, others may feel differently.
Everyone is entitled to their own ranking but for me the bowl game win clearly ranks below each of the conference games in importance, as well as ranking lower in importance than our win over recruiting rival (and decidedly unpleasant fan base) Votre Dame.

I was among the first to object to the Sun Bowl being characterized as "meaningless" or "an exhibition". It was a nationally televised game against a strong opponent, and every game is critical in getting to 10 wins which I consider an important milestone. But in terms of importance to the program the game was far less important than a number of other games on the schedule.
[/quote]

For me, it was the culmination of the season.  It's the postseason, the last game.  The last chance for the fans and scouts to see you.  You mentioned how important it was to get to ten wins, it was the 10th win. 

I don't find your "If I had to choose" comments particularly meaningful.  Every in-season win is precious, chiefly to get to the best possible post-season win.  And of course, you can't choose and you can't trade.

The Sun Bowl had the third-highest TV ratings of Stanford's season, behind UCLA and Washington, and ahead of all the others.

You have your opinion, I have mine.  But to circle back to the original discussion...I think it was silly of McCaffrey to sit the game out.  The game had a tremendous impact on Thomas' desireability, some sites have him as a Top 10 selection.  That game probably made him two million dollars.  McCaffrey?  We'll see where he goes.  Four different mock drafts including USA Today, the Bleacher Report, SI MMQB and thebiglead.com thinks McCaffrey will go to New England at the end of the first round.  Maybe they know something.  Maybe New England told his agent "Stay out of the game, we'll take you with our first rounder."  Two days ago, Yahoo sports put McCaffrey mid-second round for the Vikings.  Walter Football and Land of 10 both say Ravens, w the #47 pick.

So there's the range.  Last pick of the first round to mid-second round.  We'll see where he falls.