Just watched NW game and could not agree less. Particularly about NW being more “crisp”. With Costello in, Stanford shot itself in the foot with penalties. First game, not surprising. With Mills, the pass-run ratio actually went up through the third. He was a bit late on the rollout throw to Parkinson for what would have been a TD. Missed a throw deep middle to St.Brown that also might have been a TD. Wedington dropped a gimme short third down pass that would have been a big gain and kept a drive going.
Defense smothered NW. They did nothing. Now NW may be challenged offensively, particularly early. So hard to tell how much stock to put into that. But to suggest that a team that was shut out for 3plus quarters, couldn’t capitalize on a short field after a turnover and whose offense gave up as many points as it scored was the better team execution wise is pure nonsense. Stanford should have been up 24-0. But see above.
Mills was getting his first real action in 3 years. Not surprising he was a tad rusty. But you can see the talent. Shaw will try to run. They have to. Otherwise SC’s line will pin their ears back. And Mills will get pounded. But he’s not going to go major run heavy. Mills is a big talent with a big arm. Keeping him upright is going to be the issue. The only way there is a short leash is if they can’t protect him. Shaw will not let him get pounded. Nor should he.
Defensively, I’m sure Stanford will mix in some blitzes. Along with some games up front and many different looks. But it’s tough to blitz a lot against an air-raid as the ball is generally out so quick. What Stanford has to avoid is the big YAC plays. Tackle. Make the kid beat you downfield. Make them sustain long drives.
But keeping Mills upright may be a challenge. And I’m concerned that SC will be able to run the ball. I’m cocnerned SC dominates at the LOS. And this, ultimately SC may win. But not because Helton outcoaches Shaw.
How does Stanford win: They shut down SC’s running game. They protect well for Mills. They run efficiently. Make a couple of big plays offfesively. Control clock. And avoid turnovers. In other words - they do what they have done under Shaw since ‘11.
Defense smothered NW. They did nothing. Now NW may be challenged offensively, particularly early. So hard to tell how much stock to put into that. But to suggest that a team that was shut out for 3plus quarters, couldn’t capitalize on a short field after a turnover and whose offense gave up as many points as it scored was the better team execution wise is pure nonsense. Stanford should have been up 24-0. But see above.
Mills was getting his first real action in 3 years. Not surprising he was a tad rusty. But you can see the talent. Shaw will try to run. They have to. Otherwise SC’s line will pin their ears back. And Mills will get pounded. But he’s not going to go major run heavy. Mills is a big talent with a big arm. Keeping him upright is going to be the issue. The only way there is a short leash is if they can’t protect him. Shaw will not let him get pounded. Nor should he.
Defensively, I’m sure Stanford will mix in some blitzes. Along with some games up front and many different looks. But it’s tough to blitz a lot against an air-raid as the ball is generally out so quick. What Stanford has to avoid is the big YAC plays. Tackle. Make the kid beat you downfield. Make them sustain long drives.
But keeping Mills upright may be a challenge. And I’m concerned that SC will be able to run the ball. I’m cocnerned SC dominates at the LOS. And this, ultimately SC may win. But not because Helton outcoaches Shaw.
How does Stanford win: They shut down SC’s running game. They protect well for Mills. They run efficiently. Make a couple of big plays offfesively. Control clock. And avoid turnovers. In other words - they do what they have done under Shaw since ‘11.