[Mick]

Much to be encouraged about after last night's win; but what will it take to beat U Sark Cheesy in LA next week?

A lot will be on our D to contain their O.  Need to force turnovers.
A lot will be on our O to keep their D off balance.  I liked how we mixed it up last night, even when it didn't work perfectly.
Receivers need to focus and catch the balls Hogan throws in their hands.
Kicking game needs to be perfect, both in terms of scoring opportunities and field position.
Would love to see us win 13-10 in OT.

I would stipulate that talent is probably fairly equal.  I can't comment as to the quality of one staff over the other, although I like our HC over Sarkastic by about eight brazilian to one (old GWB joke reference there).  Here's my read:

1)  Our defense is very solid.  We are tied for 18th in the NCAA at 255.5 ypg..  Theirs has not given up many points, but they've given up  356 ypg against Arkansas State and Idaho (in their 55-6 and 59-9 victories).  Their Total Defense ranking is #62:
  http://www.ncaa.com/stats/football/fbs/c...team/22/p2
Basically, they stiffened when they had to, giving up a lot of yards, but not many points.  Why?  Turnovers...

2)  U$C has recovered two fumbles and made two INTs in two games.  They haven't given up any.  Ours is net neutral, with one fumble taken and one given, one INT given and one taken.  Big edge to Tr0jans, which is reflected by:

3)  Penalties.  Trojunz have given up 92 yards in penalties in two games, #36 in the country.  We have given up 162 yards, 81 per game, and #109 in the country. 

4)  Offense.  Theirs towers over ours.  SC is #4 in the country at 623 ypg.  We are #94 at 365.5 ypg, the vast majority of which came over a terrible team that was playing past midnight, body clock time.

Here's my summary: for Stanford to win, we need to achieve much better discipline from this past week to the next.  Penalties have to go down by 2/3.  We need to at least equal troyans in turnovers, better if we have a 1 or 2 margin.  Our defense has to shock their currently overconfident offense (e.g., stuff them on the first two drives).  Our special teams have to continue to improve, and our coaching needs to improve.  We need better play calling.  We ALSO need better execution on offense.  We have to stop dropping passes, making bad passes, missing blocks and making bad blocks.

In short, we need to figure it out toute suite, like yesterday.  Otherwise, I see a double digit loss.

[Mick]

Much to be encouraged about after last night's win; but what will it take to beat U Sark Cheesy in LA next week?

A lot will be on our D to contain their O.  Need to force turnovers.
A lot will be on our O to keep their D off balance.  I liked how we mixed it up last night, even when it didn't work perfectly.
Receivers need to focus and catch the balls Hogan throws in their hands.
Kicking game needs to be perfect, both in terms of scoring opportunities and field position.
Would love to see us win 13-10 in OT.

I would stipulate that talent is probably fairly equal.  I can't comment as to the quality of one staff over the other, although I like our HC over Sarkastic by about eight brazilian to one (old GWB joke reference there).  Here's my read:

1)  Our defense is very solid.  We are tied for 18th in the NCAA at 255.5 ypg..  Theirs has not given up many points, but they've given up  356 ypg against Arkansas State and Idaho (in their 55-6 and 59-9 victories).  Their Total Defense ranking is #62:
  http://www.ncaa.com/stats/football/fbs/c...team/22/p2
Basically, they stiffened when they had to, giving up a lot of yards, but not many points.  Why?  Turnovers...

2)  U$C has recovered two fumbles and made two INTs in two games.  They haven't given up any.  Ours is net neutral, with one fumble taken and one given, one INT given and one taken.  Big edge to Tr0jans, which is reflected by:

3)  Penalties.  Trojunz have given up 92 yards in penalties in two games, #36 in the country.  We have given up 162 yards, 81 per game, and #109 in the country. 

4)  Offense.  Theirs towers over ours.  SC is #4 in the country at 623 ypg.  We are #94 at 365.5 ypg, the vast majority of which came over a terrible team that was playing past midnight, body clock time.

Here's my summary: for Stanford to win, we need to achieve much better discipline from this past week to the next.  Penalties have to go down by 2/3.  We need to at least equal troyans in turnovers, better if we have a 1 or 2 margin.  Our defense has to shock their currently overconfident offense (e.g., stuff them on the first two drives).  Our special teams have to continue to improve, and our coaching needs to improve.  We need better play calling.  We ALSO need better execution on offense.  We have to stop dropping passes, making bad passes, missing blocks and making bad blocks.

In short, we need to figure it out toute suite, like yesterday.  Otherwise, I see a double digit loss.