[81alum]

As good as we are, I don't think we beat either of those teams

Many years ago, we bought the paint and painted our house.  I knew every place we left a drip or a bit of paint got on the wrong part and all the other imperfections. I felt we had done a poor job. But others just saw a great job done. 

I believe if you watched another team week in and week out, you’d be painfully aware of all their flaws and, in turn, marvel at Stanford’s abilities.

Great analogy.  Having painted our house too, I can relate.

We are so busy looking at the trees, scrutinizing every knot and drooping limb, that we miss the magnificence of the forest.

The great thing about sports is that we actually play games, and there are winners and losers, and this settles all arguments.  Sports are existentialism in practice--we are what we actually accomplish, not what we think we are or say we are or convince other people what we are.  Teams are the makers of their own meaning.  And it will be fun to see what this team is able to make for itself this year.  It could wind up a lot of different ways, but I have never before been so optimistic.  The team will either confirm or deny my optimism by what it actually does, and all our fun talk will drift away on the breeze.

[81alum]

As good as we are, I don't think we beat either of those teams

Many years ago, we bought the paint and painted our house.  I knew every place we left a drip or a bit of paint got on the wrong part and all the other imperfections. I felt we had done a poor job. But others just saw a great job done. 

I believe if you watched another team week in and week out, you’d be painfully aware of all their flaws and, in turn, marvel at Stanford’s abilities.

Great analogy.  Having painted our house too, I can relate.

We are so busy looking at the trees, scrutinizing every knot and drooping limb, that we miss the magnificence of the forest.

The great thing about sports is that we actually play games, and there are winners and losers, and this settles all arguments.  Sports are existentialism in practice--we are what we actually accomplish, not what we think we are or say we are or convince other people what we are.  Teams are the makers of their own meaning.  And it will be fun to see what this team is able to make for itself this year.  It could wind up a lot of different ways, but I have never before been so optimistic.  The team will either confirm or deny my optimism by what it actually does, and all our fun talk will drift away on the breeze.