[CTcard]

 The D couldn't hold when it counted; and that is something for Shaw and Anderson to stew about: how could the once vaunted Stanford defense be so ineffective for the third time this season (Notre Dame, Utah, now WSU)?  Frankly, this decline in the defense has been a multi-year phenomenon; and I would like to understand what the root causes are (ineffective recruiting, poor player development, lack of top-level recruits able to meet Stanford's entrance criteria, all three).   

I think this is an interesting topic, but I think it is one best explored after the season ends.

What happens the rest of the way will influence our thinking a lot. I hope to see improvement (of course), and I think it likely to at least show superficial improvement as the rest of the offenses we will face aren't that great.

This year alone, the defense is about what I was expecting. Able to make stops from time to time and holds up to weaker offenses, but overwhelmed by better opponents. Last year was the one time on a particular year's basis I was heavily disappointed in the performance. However, the trend overall has not been good. [Personally, I am particularly worried about what has happened to our defensive backfield.]

[CTcard]

 The D couldn't hold when it counted; and that is something for Shaw and Anderson to stew about: how could the once vaunted Stanford defense be so ineffective for the third time this season (Notre Dame, Utah, now WSU)?  Frankly, this decline in the defense has been a multi-year phenomenon; and I would like to understand what the root causes are (ineffective recruiting, poor player development, lack of top-level recruits able to meet Stanford's entrance criteria, all three).   

I think this is an interesting topic, but I think it is one best explored after the season ends.

What happens the rest of the way will influence our thinking a lot. I hope to see improvement (of course), and I think it likely to at least show superficial improvement as the rest of the offenses we will face aren't that great.

This year alone, the defense is about what I was expecting. Able to make stops from time to time and holds up to weaker offenses, but overwhelmed by better opponents. Last year was the one time on a particular year's basis I was heavily disappointed in the performance. However, the trend overall has not been good. [Personally, I am particularly worried about what has happened to our defensive backfield.]