09-02-2012, 08:06 PM
I suspect it's mostly a combination of possibilities #1 and #2.
I think the offensive line, in particular, will improve a lot over the course of the season. I wasn't able to see much of Friday's game, but it sounds like the o-line is just not very good right now. As young guys get more experience, and the group gets more playing time as a unit, they should improve. This is an old story in college football--and one of the most predictable parts of the game. Offensive lines improve as the players get more experience together.
I also expect the young secondary to improve as the season progresses.
The fact that Stanford went up 14-0 and dominated the first quarter would seem to lend credence to the idea that they took their foot off the gas pedal against a team they figured they could beat easily.
That said, I do think that if Stanford gets poor or mediocre QB play this season, your possibility #3 is also in play.
I think the offensive line, in particular, will improve a lot over the course of the season. I wasn't able to see much of Friday's game, but it sounds like the o-line is just not very good right now. As young guys get more experience, and the group gets more playing time as a unit, they should improve. This is an old story in college football--and one of the most predictable parts of the game. Offensive lines improve as the players get more experience together.
I also expect the young secondary to improve as the season progresses.
The fact that Stanford went up 14-0 and dominated the first quarter would seem to lend credence to the idea that they took their foot off the gas pedal against a team they figured they could beat easily.
That said, I do think that if Stanford gets poor or mediocre QB play this season, your possibility #3 is also in play.