[Mick]

See what good happens when you look off your primary receiver?

[Mick]

See what good happens when you look off your primary receiver?

[JPR36]

See what good happens when you look off your primary receiver?

The Cougs need to make a mistake here. Have they made one all game?

Well, that was predictable. They go down and kick a field goal.

Oh well, I guess the guy who said we couldn't win a shootout with them was right. At least it was close.

[JPR36]

See what good happens when you look off your primary receiver?

The Cougs need to make a mistake here. Have they made one all game?

Well, that was predictable. They go down and kick a field goal.

Oh well, I guess the guy who said we couldn't win a shootout with them was right. At least it was close.

[Tycho124]

110% on Shaw and his decision to punt on 4th and 1/2 a yard.

[Tycho124]

110% on Shaw and his decision to punt on 4th and 1/2 a yard.

[cardcrimson]

Has Shaw ever heard of icing a kicker? Two time outs in the first half. One there. . . .

[cardcrimson]

Has Shaw ever heard of icing a kicker? Two time outs in the first half. One there. . . .

[JPR36]

The Cougs scored 5 out of the last 6 times they had the ball. Tough to win when your defense is totally incapable of stopping the opposition.

[JPR36]

The Cougs scored 5 out of the last 6 times they had the ball. Tough to win when your defense is totally incapable of stopping the opposition.

[Vandelay]

110% on Shaw and his decision to punt on 4th and 1/2 a yard.

Truly gutless on the part of coach Shaw.  He is  awful!

[Vandelay]

110% on Shaw and his decision to punt on 4th and 1/2 a yard.

Truly gutless on the part of coach Shaw.  He is  awful!

[cardcrimson]

The Cougs scored 5 out of the last 6 times they had the ball. Tough to win when your defense is totally incapable of stopping the opposition.

Um. We had more three and outs against them in the first half than they'd had against anybody else in a game. We stopped them quite well. Then they made adjustments at halftime and we didn't. Or perhaps ours failed to work.

[cardcrimson]

The Cougs scored 5 out of the last 6 times they had the ball. Tough to win when your defense is totally incapable of stopping the opposition.

Um. We had more three and outs against them in the first half than they'd had against anybody else in a game. We stopped them quite well. Then they made adjustments at halftime and we didn't. Or perhaps ours failed to work.

[JPR36]

The Cougs scored 5 out of the last 6 times they had the ball. Tough to win when your defense is totally incapable of stopping the opposition.

Um. We had more three and outs against them in the first half than they'd had against anybody else in a game. We stopped them quite well. Then they made adjustments at halftime and we didn't. Or perhaps ours failed to work.

Yeah, we stopped them quite well except when it really counted.

[JPR36]

The Cougs scored 5 out of the last 6 times they had the ball. Tough to win when your defense is totally incapable of stopping the opposition.

Um. We had more three and outs against them in the first half than they'd had against anybody else in a game. We stopped them quite well. Then they made adjustments at halftime and we didn't. Or perhaps ours failed to work.

Yeah, we stopped them quite well except when it really counted.

[cardcrimson]

The Cougs scored 5 out of the last 6 times they had the ball. Tough to win when your defense is totally incapable of stopping the opposition.

Um. We had more three and outs against them in the first half than they'd had against anybody else in a game. We stopped them quite well. Then they made adjustments at halftime and we didn't. Or perhaps ours failed to work.

Yeah, we stopped them quite well except when it really counted.

Points don't really count in the first half? Should we discount the 28 we scored? Seems to me, if we had only scored half as many in the second half as we did in the first, we would have won the game, right?

[cardcrimson]

The Cougs scored 5 out of the last 6 times they had the ball. Tough to win when your defense is totally incapable of stopping the opposition.

Um. We had more three and outs against them in the first half than they'd had against anybody else in a game. We stopped them quite well. Then they made adjustments at halftime and we didn't. Or perhaps ours failed to work.

Yeah, we stopped them quite well except when it really counted.

Points don't really count in the first half? Should we discount the 28 we scored? Seems to me, if we had only scored half as many in the second half as we did in the first, we would have won the game, right?

[JPR36]

The Cougs scored 5 out of the last 6 times they had the ball. Tough to win when your defense is totally incapable of stopping the opposition.

Um. We had more three and outs against them in the first half than they'd had against anybody else in a game. We stopped them quite well. Then they made adjustments at halftime and we didn't. Or perhaps ours failed to work.

Yeah, we stopped them quite well except when it really counted.

Points don't really count in the first half? Should we discount the 28 we scored? Seems to me, if we had only scored half as many in the second half as we did in the first, we would have won the game, right?

Perhaps, but what does that have to do with the defense? The point is the defense allowed the Cougs to score five out of the last six times they had the ball. That's not good defense, regardless of how they did earlier in the game. If you think it is, well, I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.

[JPR36]

The Cougs scored 5 out of the last 6 times they had the ball. Tough to win when your defense is totally incapable of stopping the opposition.

Um. We had more three and outs against them in the first half than they'd had against anybody else in a game. We stopped them quite well. Then they made adjustments at halftime and we didn't. Or perhaps ours failed to work.

Yeah, we stopped them quite well except when it really counted.

Points don't really count in the first half? Should we discount the 28 we scored? Seems to me, if we had only scored half as many in the second half as we did in the first, we would have won the game, right?

Perhaps, but what does that have to do with the defense? The point is the defense allowed the Cougs to score five out of the last six times they had the ball. That's not good defense, regardless of how they did earlier in the game. If you think it is, well, I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.

[cardcrimson]

The Cougs scored 5 out of the last 6 times they had the ball. Tough to win when your defense is totally incapable of stopping the opposition.

Um. We had more three and outs against them in the first half than they'd had against anybody else in a game. We stopped them quite well. Then they made adjustments at halftime and we didn't. Or perhaps ours failed to work.

Yeah, we stopped them quite well except when it really counted.

Points don't really count in the first half? Should we discount the 28 we scored? Seems to me, if we had only scored half as many in the second half as we did in the first, we would have won the game, right?

Perhaps, but what does that have to do with the defense? The point is the defense allowed the Cougs to score five out of the last six times they had the ball. That's not good defense, regardless of how they did earlier in the game. If you think it is, well, I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.

No, while I do think that the defense played a great first half, the second half was a different story. Leach figured out the Holder was a liability and exploited it. We didn't adjust. When Okereke went out, we got killed on a big play--again, Leach exploited a short term weakness.

On the other hand, going three and out then giving the ball up on downs on back to back drives doesn't help. . . .

[cardcrimson]

The Cougs scored 5 out of the last 6 times they had the ball. Tough to win when your defense is totally incapable of stopping the opposition.

Um. We had more three and outs against them in the first half than they'd had against anybody else in a game. We stopped them quite well. Then they made adjustments at halftime and we didn't. Or perhaps ours failed to work.

Yeah, we stopped them quite well except when it really counted.

Points don't really count in the first half? Should we discount the 28 we scored? Seems to me, if we had only scored half as many in the second half as we did in the first, we would have won the game, right?

Perhaps, but what does that have to do with the defense? The point is the defense allowed the Cougs to score five out of the last six times they had the ball. That's not good defense, regardless of how they did earlier in the game. If you think it is, well, I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.

No, while I do think that the defense played a great first half, the second half was a different story. Leach figured out the Holder was a liability and exploited it. We didn't adjust. When Okereke went out, we got killed on a big play--again, Leach exploited a short term weakness.

On the other hand, going three and out then giving the ball up on downs on back to back drives doesn't help. . . .

[winflop]

Minshew is the best QB I've seen in Stanford Stadium since Luck. Defense was not up to the task especially in putting pressure on him.

Conservative 4th down playcalls strike again. I get that this is who Shaw is and that he isn't going to change, but it was nonetheless a major factor in the loss.

I think the WSU defense adjusted at halftime and took away the TEs who were wide open all first half. They weren't in the second half, and we did not readjust well enough.

Love was caught from behind. He is nowhere near 100% and yet was still effective in space. I wish we would get him into space more often even without him being 100%. I hope Speights is OK

[winflop]

Minshew is the best QB I've seen in Stanford Stadium since Luck. Defense was not up to the task especially in putting pressure on him.

Conservative 4th down playcalls strike again. I get that this is who Shaw is and that he isn't going to change, but it was nonetheless a major factor in the loss.

I think the WSU defense adjusted at halftime and took away the TEs who were wide open all first half. They weren't in the second half, and we did not readjust well enough.

Love was caught from behind. He is nowhere near 100% and yet was still effective in space. I wish we would get him into space more often even without him being 100%. I hope Speights is OK

[martyup]

It all came down to one turnover.  Without that fumble, different outcome.  I am proud of how we played.  This is a good Stanford football team.  Tonight WAZZU was just a little bit better.

[martyup]

It all came down to one turnover.  Without that fumble, different outcome.  I am proud of how we played.  This is a good Stanford football team.  Tonight WAZZU was just a little bit better.

[d4cohn]

110% on Shaw and his decision to punt on 4th and 1/2 a yard.

Truly gutless on the part of coach Shaw.  He is  awful!

First of all, Shaw punted on 4th and 2 from his own 43, not 4th and a 1/2 a yard. If you are going to serve up a hot take, let's get the facts right. Secondly, we went for 4th and 3 at WSU 32 instead of settling for the long FG, so it is not like Shaw consistently went for 3 or punted in high leverage situations. Third, kicking a FG gave us a seven point lead, and allowed us to tie with 1:25 left, instead of needing an additional 3 points as part of 10 point deficit.

Finally, are we seriously blaming Shaw for not scoring 42 points instead 38 points, as opposed to the defense that gave up 41 points? Seriously?

[d4cohn]

110% on Shaw and his decision to punt on 4th and 1/2 a yard.

Truly gutless on the part of coach Shaw.  He is  awful!

First of all, Shaw punted on 4th and 2 from his own 43, not 4th and a 1/2 a yard. If you are going to serve up a hot take, let's get the facts right. Secondly, we went for 4th and 3 at WSU 32 instead of settling for the long FG, so it is not like Shaw consistently went for 3 or punted in high leverage situations. Third, kicking a FG gave us a seven point lead, and allowed us to tie with 1:25 left, instead of needing an additional 3 points as part of 10 point deficit.

Finally, are we seriously blaming Shaw for not scoring 42 points instead 38 points, as opposed to the defense that gave up 41 points? Seriously?

[Vandelay]

110% on Shaw and his decision to punt on 4th and 1/2 a yard.

Truly gutless on the part of coach Shaw.  He is  awful!

First of all, Shaw punted on 4th and 2 from his own 43, not 4th and a 1/2 a yard. If you are going to serve up a hot take, let's get the facts right. Secondly, we went for 4th and 3 at WSU 32 instead of settling for the long FG, so it is not like Shaw consistently went for 3 or punted in high leverage situations. Third, kicking a FG gave us a seven point lead, and allowed us to tie with 1:25 left, instead of needing an additional 3 points as part of 10 point deficit.

Finally, are we seriously blaming Shaw for not scoring 42 points instead 38 points, as opposed to the defense that gave up 41 points? Seriously?

Yes.  Shaw has managed to destroy both the offense AND the defense.  Quite an accomplishment.  Thanks for bringing that up!

[Vandelay]

110% on Shaw and his decision to punt on 4th and 1/2 a yard.

Truly gutless on the part of coach Shaw.  He is  awful!

First of all, Shaw punted on 4th and 2 from his own 43, not 4th and a 1/2 a yard. If you are going to serve up a hot take, let's get the facts right. Secondly, we went for 4th and 3 at WSU 32 instead of settling for the long FG, so it is not like Shaw consistently went for 3 or punted in high leverage situations. Third, kicking a FG gave us a seven point lead, and allowed us to tie with 1:25 left, instead of needing an additional 3 points as part of 10 point deficit.

Finally, are we seriously blaming Shaw for not scoring 42 points instead 38 points, as opposed to the defense that gave up 41 points? Seriously?

Yes.  Shaw has managed to destroy both the offense AND the defense.  Quite an accomplishment.  Thanks for bringing that up!

[Austroturf]

110% on Shaw and his decision to punt on 4th and 1/2 a yard.

Truly gutless on the part of coach Shaw.  He is  awful!

First of all, Shaw punted on 4th and 2 from his own 43, not 4th and a 1/2 a yard. If you are going to serve up a hot take, let's get the facts right. Secondly, we went for 4th and 3 at WSU 32 instead of settling for the long FG, so it is not like Shaw consistently went for 3 or punted in high leverage situations. Third, kicking a FG gave us a seven point lead, and allowed us to tie with 1:25 left, instead of needing an additional 3 points as part of 10 point deficit.

Finally, are we seriously blaming Shaw for not scoring 42 points instead 38 points, as opposed to the defense that gave up 41 points? Seriously?

No fault on the offensive production, although we did get only 10 points in the second half.  Scoring 38 points should have been enough to win.  This was the third game this season in which our defense has given up 38 or more points (ND, Utah, WSU), all losses.  No, this is not the Stanford defense of old; and together with the O-line, that is where the rebuilding needs to occur.  Utah killed us on the ground, WSU killed us through the air, Notre Dame killed us through both.  At least in this game, the offense gave us a chance.  Too bad we could not keep up the pace of the first half and score another 28 (or at least 21).  And we lost the turnover battle (0-1), which ultimately led to a WSU score.  In a close game, these kinds of turns are crucial.  

Very frustrating loss.  Could have been one of those "positive" instant classics.  Now, we can just contemplate what might have been.  The Cougs were beatable; our defense just wasn't up to the task.  And that's perhaps the most frustrating part, because, during the Shaw era, our defense has kept us in so many games and normally been the one truly reliable side of the ball.  But in crunch time, the D could not deliver.  Can I say it again?  Frustrating.  And more so, because it came against Leach.

[Austroturf]

110% on Shaw and his decision to punt on 4th and 1/2 a yard.

Truly gutless on the part of coach Shaw.  He is  awful!

First of all, Shaw punted on 4th and 2 from his own 43, not 4th and a 1/2 a yard. If you are going to serve up a hot take, let's get the facts right. Secondly, we went for 4th and 3 at WSU 32 instead of settling for the long FG, so it is not like Shaw consistently went for 3 or punted in high leverage situations. Third, kicking a FG gave us a seven point lead, and allowed us to tie with 1:25 left, instead of needing an additional 3 points as part of 10 point deficit.

Finally, are we seriously blaming Shaw for not scoring 42 points instead 38 points, as opposed to the defense that gave up 41 points? Seriously?

No fault on the offensive production, although we did get only 10 points in the second half.  Scoring 38 points should have been enough to win.  This was the third game this season in which our defense has given up 38 or more points (ND, Utah, WSU), all losses.  No, this is not the Stanford defense of old; and together with the O-line, that is where the rebuilding needs to occur.  Utah killed us on the ground, WSU killed us through the air, Notre Dame killed us through both.  At least in this game, the offense gave us a chance.  Too bad we could not keep up the pace of the first half and score another 28 (or at least 21).  And we lost the turnover battle (0-1), which ultimately led to a WSU score.  In a close game, these kinds of turns are crucial.  

Very frustrating loss.  Could have been one of those "positive" instant classics.  Now, we can just contemplate what might have been.  The Cougs were beatable; our defense just wasn't up to the task.  And that's perhaps the most frustrating part, because, during the Shaw era, our defense has kept us in so many games and normally been the one truly reliable side of the ball.  But in crunch time, the D could not deliver.  Can I say it again?  Frustrating.  And more so, because it came against Leach.

[d4cohn]

Yes.  Shaw has managed to destroy both the offense AND the defense.  Quite an accomplishment.  Thanks for bringing that up!

Skip and Stephen A would proud of this take.

[d4cohn]

Yes.  Shaw has managed to destroy both the offense AND the defense.  Quite an accomplishment.  Thanks for bringing that up!

Skip and Stephen A would proud of this take.

[JTM]

Frustrating loss.  1. Our O-line can’t protect Costello for long.  Every pass seemed rushed.  Contrast that with WSU O-line protection for Minshew.  2. Their receivers seemed to be open on almost every play.  Frequently there was no defender within 5 years.  3.  Too many missed tackles.  Frequently it was the 2nd or 3rd contact that brought the runner down.  Stanford will probably fall out of the rankings, again, in the next poll.

[JTM]

Frustrating loss.  1. Our O-line can’t protect Costello for long.  Every pass seemed rushed.  Contrast that with WSU O-line protection for Minshew.  2. Their receivers seemed to be open on almost every play.  Frequently there was no defender within 5 years.  3.  Too many missed tackles.  Frequently it was the 2nd or 3rd contact that brought the runner down.  Stanford will probably fall out of the rankings, again, in the next poll.

[BostonCard]

Frustrating loss.  1. Our O-line can’t protect Costello for long.  Every pass seemed rushed.  Contrast that with WSU O-line protection for Minshew.  2. Their receivers seemed to be open on almost every play.  Frequently there was no defender within 5 years.  3.  Too many missed tackles.  Frequently it was the 2nd or 3rd contact that brought the runner down.  Stanford will probably fall out of the rankings, again, in the next poll.

That’s an odd complaint.  Costello was sacked once (unfortunately resulting in a strip sack) and rushed a few times, but I thought the offensive line had its best game so far this year.  Costello was 34/43, which is an almost 80% completion rate.  Hard to do that if you are not being well protected.

Pressuring Minshew is tough to do.  The guy has a quick release and their short passes mean you don’t have long to get to the QB.  The trouble, as you noted, is that we didn’t cover their receivers well, and when we did, we missed tackling them, turning short gains or losses into first down yardage.

BC

[BostonCard]

Frustrating loss.  1. Our O-line can’t protect Costello for long.  Every pass seemed rushed.  Contrast that with WSU O-line protection for Minshew.  2. Their receivers seemed to be open on almost every play.  Frequently there was no defender within 5 years.  3.  Too many missed tackles.  Frequently it was the 2nd or 3rd contact that brought the runner down.  Stanford will probably fall out of the rankings, again, in the next poll.

That’s an odd complaint.  Costello was sacked once (unfortunately resulting in a strip sack) and rushed a few times, but I thought the offensive line had its best game so far this year.  Costello was 34/43, which is an almost 80% completion rate.  Hard to do that if you are not being well protected.

Pressuring Minshew is tough to do.  The guy has a quick release and their short passes mean you don’t have long to get to the QB.  The trouble, as you noted, is that we didn’t cover their receivers well, and when we did, we missed tackling them, turning short gains or losses into first down yardage.

BC

[winflop]

Pressuring Minshew is tough to do.  The guy has a quick release and their short passes mean you don’t have long to get to the QB.  The trouble, as you noted, is that we didn’t cover their receivers well, and when we did, we missed tackling them, turning short gains or losses into first down yardage.

BC

The few times we got pressure on Minshew he was off target more than he wasn't. The problem is we didn't get much pressure on him - same story as with the two other QBs who have thrown for 75%+ against us.

The tackling in the defensive backfield, especially in the second half, was atrocious.

And Swann had yet another stupid undisciplined penalty that led to an immediate TD. I don't think he was back on the field after that, which is a good sign that the coaches have had enough. Third game in a row, though only flagged twice.

[winflop]

Pressuring Minshew is tough to do.  The guy has a quick release and their short passes mean you don’t have long to get to the QB.  The trouble, as you noted, is that we didn’t cover their receivers well, and when we did, we missed tackling them, turning short gains or losses into first down yardage.

BC

The few times we got pressure on Minshew he was off target more than he wasn't. The problem is we didn't get much pressure on him - same story as with the two other QBs who have thrown for 75%+ against us.

The tackling in the defensive backfield, especially in the second half, was atrocious.

And Swann had yet another stupid undisciplined penalty that led to an immediate TD. I don't think he was back on the field after that, which is a good sign that the coaches have had enough. Third game in a row, though only flagged twice.