[CTcard]

JJ Arcega-Whiteside is out.
Hebrig confirmed in.

https://scout.com/college/stanford/Artic...-108472532

BC

Well, since Shaw gives his reasons for optimism in the video (very coach-speak), I thought I'd take this opportunity to slip in my own reasons for optimism/pessimism here.
[Well, I don't see where else to put it.]

Reasons for Optimism.
1. Utah's weak schedule. Sometimes it's a shock the first time a team sees a real, physical opponent. We will be that for Utah.
2. Our most consistent weakness has been inability to stop the run. Utah doesn't seem as able to exploit that as we would usually expect. Their run game has struggled. Utah managed 112 yds on 2.95 yds/carry vs Arizona and 116 yds on 3.22 yds/carry vs BYU.
3. Our offense may be coming around. 8 yds/play vs UCLA is most they've allowed; 8.84 yds/play vs ASU is most they've allowed [for that matter we had the best yds/play allowed by $C and Rice as well - but somehow UC Davis had best yds/play vs SDSU (Stanford second)].
4. Herbig will be back.
5. Our defense played a good half ... once they got Holder back. Maybe it can keep improving.
5. Utah's got some important injuries ... probably (Whittingham is more tight lipped than Shaw about injuries). Their promising sophomore QB Huntley is probably out, one of their top DL (Fitts) probably out, and another DL (Annae) the Utah papers seem unsure about. 


Between Utah's weak schedule, my inability to watch them much this year, and their supposed new offensive system, I find them a mystery.

Reasons for Pessism.
1. I think there might be something to Wilner's occasional theory that Stanford has the most trouble with teams built more or less like itself.
2. Utah is rested and coming off a bye.
3. Utah is a tough place to play; and of course there is our recent history.
4. As far as we can tell, Utah's defense appears to be good. Their front seven is tough. That could neutralize our strength.
5. Our defense played a good half ... and that's about it this year.
6. JJAW is our best receiver - missing him is tough.

[CTcard]

JJ Arcega-Whiteside is out.
Hebrig confirmed in.

https://scout.com/college/stanford/Artic...-108472532

BC

Well, since Shaw gives his reasons for optimism in the video (very coach-speak), I thought I'd take this opportunity to slip in my own reasons for optimism/pessimism here.
[Well, I don't see where else to put it.]

Reasons for Optimism.
1. Utah's weak schedule. Sometimes it's a shock the first time a team sees a real, physical opponent. We will be that for Utah.
2. Our most consistent weakness has been inability to stop the run. Utah doesn't seem as able to exploit that as we would usually expect. Their run game has struggled. Utah managed 112 yds on 2.95 yds/carry vs Arizona and 116 yds on 3.22 yds/carry vs BYU.
3. Our offense may be coming around. 8 yds/play vs UCLA is most they've allowed; 8.84 yds/play vs ASU is most they've allowed [for that matter we had the best yds/play allowed by $C and Rice as well - but somehow UC Davis had best yds/play vs SDSU (Stanford second)].
4. Herbig will be back.
5. Our defense played a good half ... once they got Holder back. Maybe it can keep improving.
5. Utah's got some important injuries ... probably (Whittingham is more tight lipped than Shaw about injuries). Their promising sophomore QB Huntley is probably out, one of their top DL (Fitts) probably out, and another DL (Annae) the Utah papers seem unsure about. 


Between Utah's weak schedule, my inability to watch them much this year, and their supposed new offensive system, I find them a mystery.

Reasons for Pessism.
1. I think there might be something to Wilner's occasional theory that Stanford has the most trouble with teams built more or less like itself.
2. Utah is rested and coming off a bye.
3. Utah is a tough place to play; and of course there is our recent history.
4. As far as we can tell, Utah's defense appears to be good. Their front seven is tough. That could neutralize our strength.
5. Our defense played a good half ... and that's about it this year.
6. JJAW is our best receiver - missing him is tough.