[DC 86]

Regardless, I think both of your comments suggest a view that this evolution in our offense has been linked to a decline in our effectiveness. I think a better read is Shawfense works with dominant talent and otherwise doesn’t. We’ve had less dominant talent over time, especially at OL, so there’s been a decline. I think there may be a correlation/causation issue with the observation about style.

I fall somewhere in the middle.

I agree with you that the move away from Intellectual Brutality stems from poor OL play; it would have been foolish to continue to run the same offense without the personnel to make it effective.

But ceteris paribus I do think that offense gives Stanford the best chance to win:

1. With a thin and poor defense it makes sense to try to control the clock via time consuming drives.
2. Most Pac-12 defenses aren't set up (personnel and scheme-wise) to defend that type of offense.
3. Historically Stanford has had the most success recruiting offensive linemen compared to other positions.

It is contingent on recruiting and coaching the right personnel, but I would love to see a return to a contrarian approach based on physical football.

[DC 86]

Regardless, I think both of your comments suggest a view that this evolution in our offense has been linked to a decline in our effectiveness. I think a better read is Shawfense works with dominant talent and otherwise doesn’t. We’ve had less dominant talent over time, especially at OL, so there’s been a decline. I think there may be a correlation/causation issue with the observation about style.

I fall somewhere in the middle.

I agree with you that the move away from Intellectual Brutality stems from poor OL play; it would have been foolish to continue to run the same offense without the personnel to make it effective.

But ceteris paribus I do think that offense gives Stanford the best chance to win:

1. With a thin and poor defense it makes sense to try to control the clock via time consuming drives.
2. Most Pac-12 defenses aren't set up (personnel and scheme-wise) to defend that type of offense.
3. Historically Stanford has had the most success recruiting offensive linemen compared to other positions.

It is contingent on recruiting and coaching the right personnel, but I would love to see a return to a contrarian approach based on physical football.