01-04-2012, 09:36 PM
I believe the OL scheme, the RBs and the defense are all worthy of Top 25 status. I know the D looked bad against OSU, but they looked better than many other programs that were ranked in the Top 25 that played OSU this year. The new Pac-12 coaches should enable Stanford to get some cheap wins because few new coaches with new systems can turn things around that quickly. And new regimes usually have transition lapses that cost them a win or two.
So, I think I get to 9-3 IF the QB was a returning starter (Oregon, SC & a quality opponent to emerge during the course of the year would be the 3). With a new starter at QB there are probably 2 more losses that could emerge just because...
So I would project the team between 8-4 and 7-5 with a bowl win and a Top 20 year end ranking. 9 or more would be outstanding. A finish with 10 or more wins would be amazing, and would imply that 2013 could be BCS Title Game worthy.
FWIW - Thanks to Te.df.or.d staying near Oakland, I don't see that program becoming the emerging quality opponent that creates loss #3.
So, I think I get to 9-3 IF the QB was a returning starter (Oregon, SC & a quality opponent to emerge during the course of the year would be the 3). With a new starter at QB there are probably 2 more losses that could emerge just because...
So I would project the team between 8-4 and 7-5 with a bowl win and a Top 20 year end ranking. 9 or more would be outstanding. A finish with 10 or more wins would be amazing, and would imply that 2013 could be BCS Title Game worthy.
FWIW - Thanks to Te.df.or.d staying near Oakland, I don't see that program becoming the emerging quality opponent that creates loss #3.