08-22-2019, 01:05 PM
Great post Outsider. I also find the pessimism about this season to be a bit perplexing.
We lose a bit in offensive skill players to the league (JJAW, Kaden, Bryce etc.), but have young talent particularly at WR that might be ready to emerge. The OL has talent, but also some question marks both among the returners, and how heavily the coaching staff will lean on a talented true frosh class.
On defense, as you point out, I fully expect this year to be the rebirth of the Stanford defense, first and foremost driven
by a rapidly improving and deeper DL.
And finally, the most significant piece of evidence that I come back to is Coach Shaw's record of success against an easier odd-year schedule. In every odd year, Coach Shaw has either gone to a BCS/NY6 bowl or won the North or both. Washington lost a ton in terms of personnel, and Oregon's schedule is very difficult and unfavorable.
I think we win the North this year, and with no Darnold potentially waiting for us, as well as the Pac-12 championship in our backyard, I like our chances for Coach Shaw to once again hoist the Pac-12 championship trophy in December.
We lose a bit in offensive skill players to the league (JJAW, Kaden, Bryce etc.), but have young talent particularly at WR that might be ready to emerge. The OL has talent, but also some question marks both among the returners, and how heavily the coaching staff will lean on a talented true frosh class.
On defense, as you point out, I fully expect this year to be the rebirth of the Stanford defense, first and foremost driven
by a rapidly improving and deeper DL.
And finally, the most significant piece of evidence that I come back to is Coach Shaw's record of success against an easier odd-year schedule. In every odd year, Coach Shaw has either gone to a BCS/NY6 bowl or won the North or both. Washington lost a ton in terms of personnel, and Oregon's schedule is very difficult and unfavorable.
I think we win the North this year, and with no Darnold potentially waiting for us, as well as the Pac-12 championship in our backyard, I like our chances for Coach Shaw to once again hoist the Pac-12 championship trophy in December.