[Redrum]

It would hurt less if Sarao were going to his original love:  Rutgers.   We will end up playing against this very talented kid.

Also,  there is an opportunity to shift the balance of power in the Pac-12 with the (deserved) sanctions weakening USC.  Maybe not permanently, but a window of opportunity for other schools.  Their ability to power through the sanctions relatively undiminished leaves the rest of the Pac holding the consolation prize.   USC\'s weakness is an opportunity for us (and others)  that they can recruit well despite their problems does not bode well.

For braveheart:   I kinda liked the new paradigm for Stanford football.  In the past we would constantly reassure ourselves that our, say, 2-star guys would somehow magically become 4-star players.   It does happen,  but a better, more reliable model,  one we have partially accomplished,  is to get a whole bunch of 4-star guys and have them compete against each other.   I think a better model is having a guy like Shayne Skov come in and just dominate at the position.  That\'s better than hoping a serviceable LB like Bergen will suddenly start playing out of his skull.    It improves the breed, it raises individual performances,  if for no other reason than who the players play against every day in practice.

We have not exhausted our talent pool.  Some of the redshirts will develop and emerge,  but if you\'re not going forward, replenishing and improving talent with every class,  gravity takes hold and suddenly Stanford could be a 7-5 team year after year.

[Redrum]

It would hurt less if Sarao were going to his original love:  Rutgers.   We will end up playing against this very talented kid.

Also,  there is an opportunity to shift the balance of power in the Pac-12 with the (deserved) sanctions weakening USC.  Maybe not permanently, but a window of opportunity for other schools.  Their ability to power through the sanctions relatively undiminished leaves the rest of the Pac holding the consolation prize.   USC\'s weakness is an opportunity for us (and others)  that they can recruit well despite their problems does not bode well.

For braveheart:   I kinda liked the new paradigm for Stanford football.  In the past we would constantly reassure ourselves that our, say, 2-star guys would somehow magically become 4-star players.   It does happen,  but a better, more reliable model,  one we have partially accomplished,  is to get a whole bunch of 4-star guys and have them compete against each other.   I think a better model is having a guy like Shayne Skov come in and just dominate at the position.  That\'s better than hoping a serviceable LB like Bergen will suddenly start playing out of his skull.    It improves the breed, it raises individual performances,  if for no other reason than who the players play against every day in practice.

We have not exhausted our talent pool.  Some of the redshirts will develop and emerge,  but if you\'re not going forward, replenishing and improving talent with every class,  gravity takes hold and suddenly Stanford could be a 7-5 team year after year.