[Goose]

I would argue that playing a little bit in garbage time almost never helps a player's development in a direct sense.

I mostly agree. What it does do, however, is give the coach the chance to see how the player stacks up against a first stringer in a real game. It can reveal guys that are either a lot worse (more common)  or a lot better (seldom) than the coaches think.

It may help with a player's motivation, however. Obviously depends upon the player.

For sure. I put this comment in mostly to placate those that think playing early will bring players to Stanford. I think the real facts are that to play at Stanford, you have to buy into the "iron sharpens iron" theory and accept the fact that you will play when you are good enough, and not before. If one is a 5 start guy that is concerned that he will sit on the bench because he isn't yet good enough, one isn't Stanford football material. Others appear to disagree.

[Goose]

I would argue that playing a little bit in garbage time almost never helps a player's development in a direct sense.

I mostly agree. What it does do, however, is give the coach the chance to see how the player stacks up against a first stringer in a real game. It can reveal guys that are either a lot worse (more common)  or a lot better (seldom) than the coaches think.

It may help with a player's motivation, however. Obviously depends upon the player.

For sure. I put this comment in mostly to placate those that think playing early will bring players to Stanford. I think the real facts are that to play at Stanford, you have to buy into the "iron sharpens iron" theory and accept the fact that you will play when you are good enough, and not before. If one is a 5 start guy that is concerned that he will sit on the bench because he isn't yet good enough, one isn't Stanford football material. Others appear to disagree.