[lex24]

Expectations.

During Shaw's tenure, his teams have only out-performed preseason expectations twice. According to the AP pre and post season polls, only in 2012 and 2015 did we end up ranked higher at the end of the season than we were at the beginning. Both years we started at #21, and in 2012 we ended up #7 and in 2015 #3. Three times we started ranked and ended the season unranked, including 2014 where we started 11th and 2018 where we started 13th.

Evolution.

Shaw's first bowl team in 2011 averaged 278 in the air, and 211 on the ground; scored 43 per game and gave up 22. This year, we're averaging 258 in the air and 134 on the ground; scoring 26 per game and giving up 29.

Saban's first NC team in 2009 averaged 187 in the air, and 215 on the ground; scored 32 per game and gave up 12. This year, the Tide is averaging 347 in the air and 190 on the ground; scoring 50 per game and giving up 17.


While it's easy to argue that Shaw is the winningest coach in Stanford history, has two Rose Bowl wins, and has a great record against Cal; it's equally easy to argue the his tenure has been rife with not exceeding expectations and de-evolution.

Yes it is easy to say that Shaw is the winningest coach, has 3 Pac 12 Championshps  (which equals the number of Championships in the preceding 50 plus years) and 2 RB Championships  (same number as previous 50)  Because they are unassailable facts.  The “expectations” for Stanford football for the previous 50 years was to hope to go over .500 and sneak into a low level bowl game (at least since those started). 

And I get the Crimson is for Bama.  But you cannot compare Alabama football to Stanford football.  They are different universes.  In every way.

[lex24]

Expectations.

During Shaw's tenure, his teams have only out-performed preseason expectations twice. According to the AP pre and post season polls, only in 2012 and 2015 did we end up ranked higher at the end of the season than we were at the beginning. Both years we started at #21, and in 2012 we ended up #7 and in 2015 #3. Three times we started ranked and ended the season unranked, including 2014 where we started 11th and 2018 where we started 13th.

Evolution.

Shaw's first bowl team in 2011 averaged 278 in the air, and 211 on the ground; scored 43 per game and gave up 22. This year, we're averaging 258 in the air and 134 on the ground; scoring 26 per game and giving up 29.

Saban's first NC team in 2009 averaged 187 in the air, and 215 on the ground; scored 32 per game and gave up 12. This year, the Tide is averaging 347 in the air and 190 on the ground; scoring 50 per game and giving up 17.


While it's easy to argue that Shaw is the winningest coach in Stanford history, has two Rose Bowl wins, and has a great record against Cal; it's equally easy to argue the his tenure has been rife with not exceeding expectations and de-evolution.

Yes it is easy to say that Shaw is the winningest coach, has 3 Pac 12 Championshps  (which equals the number of Championships in the preceding 50 plus years) and 2 RB Championships  (same number as previous 50)  Because they are unassailable facts.  The “expectations” for Stanford football for the previous 50 years was to hope to go over .500 and sneak into a low level bowl game (at least since those started). 

And I get the Crimson is for Bama.  But you cannot compare Alabama football to Stanford football.  They are different universes.  In every way.