[97fan]

I\'m reminded of game theory when I think about the choices facing Luck and Harbaugh next month.

Consider, hypothetically, that Luck\'s preferred outcomes are, in this order:
1) Luck and Harbaugh both return to Stanford.
2) Luck and Harbaugh both go to the same NFL team.
3) Luck goes to the NFL, but Harbaugh isn\'t his coach.
4) Luck returns to Stanford, Harbaugh goes elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Harbaugh\'s preferred outcomes might be, in this order:
1) Luck and Harbaugh both go to the same NFL team.
2) Luck and Harbaugh both return to Stanford.
3) Harbaugh leaves Stanford, but doesn\'t end up coaching Luck.
4) Harbaugh returns to Stanford, Luck goes to the NFL.

Fortunately, the two of them are permitted to speak to each other and coordinate their actions, so this isn\'t a prisoner\'s dilemma situation.

What makes me optimistic is that, from reading the tea leaves, I believe that both would be happy to return to Stanford next year with a chance to compete for a national championship.  What worries me is the possibility that the Panthers will finish with the #1 pick, fire their coach, and offer the job to Harbaugh, all before the Jan. 17 deadline for underclassmen to declare for the draft.

[97fan]

I\'m reminded of game theory when I think about the choices facing Luck and Harbaugh next month.

Consider, hypothetically, that Luck\'s preferred outcomes are, in this order:
1) Luck and Harbaugh both return to Stanford.
2) Luck and Harbaugh both go to the same NFL team.
3) Luck goes to the NFL, but Harbaugh isn\'t his coach.
4) Luck returns to Stanford, Harbaugh goes elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Harbaugh\'s preferred outcomes might be, in this order:
1) Luck and Harbaugh both go to the same NFL team.
2) Luck and Harbaugh both return to Stanford.
3) Harbaugh leaves Stanford, but doesn\'t end up coaching Luck.
4) Harbaugh returns to Stanford, Luck goes to the NFL.

Fortunately, the two of them are permitted to speak to each other and coordinate their actions, so this isn\'t a prisoner\'s dilemma situation.

What makes me optimistic is that, from reading the tea leaves, I believe that both would be happy to return to Stanford next year with a chance to compete for a national championship.  What worries me is the possibility that the Panthers will finish with the #1 pick, fire their coach, and offer the job to Harbaugh, all before the Jan. 17 deadline for underclassmen to declare for the draft.