[jacketree]

9-3 is a really optimistic worst-case scenario.  Stanford hasn't been juggernaughty since 2011 and has, more often than not, come out on top in some really tight games these past two years.  What makes this year so different in terms of skill, schedule, depth, and/or intangibles?  (Answer: the schedule is actually tougher.) Stanford will probably have another Utah game (or two, like say the Utes and/or Beavers) and isn't it pretty conceivable they could drop any number of games against:

USC
at Washington
at Notre Dame
at Arizona State
at UCLA

Realistic worst case is probably 6-6 if things go badly, and all positions are not equally deep.

I think there are at least three auto-wins (UC Davis, Army, and Cal), but man, you never, never know.  At least we'll have replay this year, right? :P

[jacketree]

9-3 is a really optimistic worst-case scenario.  Stanford hasn't been juggernaughty since 2011 and has, more often than not, come out on top in some really tight games these past two years.  What makes this year so different in terms of skill, schedule, depth, and/or intangibles?  (Answer: the schedule is actually tougher.) Stanford will probably have another Utah game (or two, like say the Utes and/or Beavers) and isn't it pretty conceivable they could drop any number of games against:

USC
at Washington
at Notre Dame
at Arizona State
at UCLA

Realistic worst case is probably 6-6 if things go badly, and all positions are not equally deep.

I think there are at least three auto-wins (UC Davis, Army, and Cal), but man, you never, never know.  At least we'll have replay this year, right? :P