Posts: 379
Threads: 74
Joined: Dec 1969
Gulf Coast Poke...Here's some answers to your questions:
1. The power running game is the heart of the offense. The O line has three projected first round NFL picks at LT, RG and TE. It has two freshman AA at LG and RT. Stanford often runs its Hulk package with 7 OL in the game at once. The O Line is viewed by many as the best in college football along with that of Wisconsin. That said, I stiil don't think they are as strong as last year's group. Behind the OL are four excellent down-hill RB's: Taylor, Gaffney, Wilkerson and Stewart (short yardage specialist). Taylor is a strong, quick, north-south runner who gets the majority of the carries. Gaffney is a superb all purpose back...mix of power, speed and balance with excellent hands...who runs our version of the Wildcat. Wilkerson is a young 215 pound power back with speed. Stewart is the guy you don't want to meet in the hole. We also have 3 excellent, big FB's, one of whom is a converted tight end who is a key receiver out of the backfield. Then, there is a guy named Andrew Luck who makes the show go....calling most of the plays depending on what fronts and coverages he sees. He's pretty good. Mike Riley (coach at another OSU) says playing defense against Andrew Luck is like playing defense with your pants down because he always changes the play to the correct play. Other coaches have made similar comments. As to play action, the answer is "yes we can". Luck is a superb ball handler and throws extremely well on the move. Stanford runs three TE sets with the best trio of TE's in college football. We were without one the TE's against SC and Oregon and it really limited what we could do. They will all be back for the Pokes. TE's are our leading receivers. So, expect to see Stanford line up without wideouts, play action and then throw to one of the 3 TE's.
2. Stanford's base D is a 3/4. Our DL and LB crews are strong and deep. We did lose our best player on defense...MLB Shane Skove...early in the season and he will not be back to face the Pokes. We have an all-league SS who is a fearsome hitter and an excellent senior FS. Our CB's are the weakest part of the defense and what I expect the Pokes will exploit with your outstanding passing game.  Our D is very aggressive...lots of blitzes from strange places. Your O-line...who I understand is excellent...will be tested. If we can't get to Weeden, it will be a tough day for us against your receivers.
3 Our kicking game is very solid. Good depth and coverage on KO's. Our returns have not been outstanding...only 1 to the house this year. Our punter is good as is punt coverage. We have an excellent punt returner. FG kicking has been very good. We were without our #1 kicker for awhile. He's back.
4. Our premier WR is actually a TE. He's 6'6" tall, runs like a deer (third fastest guy on the team), and weighs 250 pounds. He is your basic coverage nightmare out of the 3 TE set. I call him a WR because he runs a lot of deep, vertical routes. Our #1 true WR is a senior who began as a walk on. Adequate speed, incredible hands and superior routes. Our speed WR (and kick returner) has suffered multiple concussions this year and his play and production have been limited accordingly. Very sad. For the sake of his health, I hope we don't see him in this game...or any others. We have a solid freshman WR (also returns kicks), with size and very good speed who will someday be much more than solid. Overall, WR is the weakest unit on a talented team.
