Irish, I'll venture a peak ahead.
ND could be our toughest match up because of two things I fear in a 2018 Stanford opponent:
1. Big running backs running behind at least a couple (Mustipher and Bars) good offensive linemen. Their bigness hasn't translated into numbers but perhaps it will? Our inside linebackers are very athletic but get pushed around a lot, and our nose is young and merely coming along nicely.
2. A QB who can really run. In the Shawbaugh era, we've often those guys extra yards and extra first downs to work with.
We'll have an added worry if our OL--which is terrific at pass protection--doesn't start blocking for the run better.
If our OL comes around and your running game doesn't, I love our chances. And regardless, it appears you have to run often and well to beat us. This could be Stanford's best pass defense ever: tons of experience and intelligent veteran leadership and very good cover guys at four of the nickel positions.
ND could be our toughest match up because of two things I fear in a 2018 Stanford opponent:
1. Big running backs running behind at least a couple (Mustipher and Bars) good offensive linemen. Their bigness hasn't translated into numbers but perhaps it will? Our inside linebackers are very athletic but get pushed around a lot, and our nose is young and merely coming along nicely.
2. A QB who can really run. In the Shawbaugh era, we've often those guys extra yards and extra first downs to work with.
We'll have an added worry if our OL--which is terrific at pass protection--doesn't start blocking for the run better.
If our OL comes around and your running game doesn't, I love our chances. And regardless, it appears you have to run often and well to beat us. This could be Stanford's best pass defense ever: tons of experience and intelligent veteran leadership and very good cover guys at four of the nickel positions.