[BostonCard]

Quite the contrast between Athlon and Steele.  While Athlon only ranks one of our units in the top half of the Pac-12, Steele says:

Stanford has all-around strength at various position groups, Steele says. "They are actually one of nine teams to rank in my top units in all eight categories. Never discount David Shaw's chances of winning the Pac-12 North." 

Here's my assessment of the various units:
OL: High individual ceilings; has not shown that the unit can operate cohesively; little depth
RB: Love's graduation leaves big shoes to fill; Scarlett is only back with significant experience, but a question mark if he can become the go to starter.  Behind him there is potential but little experience
WR: High potential and depth; little returning production
TE: Parkinson has the potential to be an elite receiving talent and major mismatch; unproven depth behind him
QB: Costello has experience and is coming off a very good season.  I've expressed some concerns about how well he will work with the new receivers.  Back-ups have ? (Mills' health, West's ability)
DL: Best combination of talent, depth, and experience in years; should be strength of the team
LBs: OLB's have talent, experience, and depth; ILB's don't
DBs: Same as LB unit; CB's could be elite; Safeties could be a problem

Overall, 7-5 (5-4) and Vegas bowl smacks me as about right. Question marks at OL, and holes at RB, LB, DB hold back what should be an above average to excellent passing attack and a fierce D-line.

BC

[BostonCard]

Quite the contrast between Athlon and Steele.  While Athlon only ranks one of our units in the top half of the Pac-12, Steele says:

Stanford has all-around strength at various position groups, Steele says. "They are actually one of nine teams to rank in my top units in all eight categories. Never discount David Shaw's chances of winning the Pac-12 North." 

Here's my assessment of the various units:
OL: High individual ceilings; has not shown that the unit can operate cohesively; little depth
RB: Love's graduation leaves big shoes to fill; Scarlett is only back with significant experience, but a question mark if he can become the go to starter.  Behind him there is potential but little experience
WR: High potential and depth; little returning production
TE: Parkinson has the potential to be an elite receiving talent and major mismatch; unproven depth behind him
QB: Costello has experience and is coming off a very good season.  I've expressed some concerns about how well he will work with the new receivers.  Back-ups have ? (Mills' health, West's ability)
DL: Best combination of talent, depth, and experience in years; should be strength of the team
LBs: OLB's have talent, experience, and depth; ILB's don't
DBs: Same as LB unit; CB's could be elite; Safeties could be a problem

Overall, 7-5 (5-4) and Vegas bowl smacks me as about right. Question marks at OL, and holes at RB, LB, DB hold back what should be an above average to excellent passing attack and a fierce D-line.

BC