01-09-2013, 02:26 PM
I would like to look at this a different way. Since Coach Shaw returned to The Farm for the 2007 season, Stanford has exceeded the preseason expectations every year. So in my view, exceeding #3 will require going to Pasadena for the game the week after the parade. Sounds great!
At some point the team, the coach and the program will need to deal with lofty pre-season expectations. No other program really could go to 3 BCS bowls, return with a sophomore QB and not be in the top 5, so the expectations are pretty reasonable. Besides without lofty preseason expectations it is very difficult to dream of the crystal that is given at the end of the season. Alabama got into the game with one loss because they were THE preseason favorite. Oregon was in some way not worthy because one loss Alabama was OBVIOUSLY better than one loss Oregon. That belief was created in January-August, not November.
Stanford will have two games with other preseason top 10 teams, and both games are at Stanford Stadium. For preseason magazines that is too much to overlook.
BTW - What exactly needs to happen for the stadium to get those temporary seats in for a game or two or three? I would think the Big Game followed the next week by a game that could decide a lot of BCS stuff would be a good time to bring in the temporary seats. Also it is not out of the question that the Oregon game will also be in November. Stanford could easily have three massive games at home in November.
At some point the team, the coach and the program will need to deal with lofty pre-season expectations. No other program really could go to 3 BCS bowls, return with a sophomore QB and not be in the top 5, so the expectations are pretty reasonable. Besides without lofty preseason expectations it is very difficult to dream of the crystal that is given at the end of the season. Alabama got into the game with one loss because they were THE preseason favorite. Oregon was in some way not worthy because one loss Alabama was OBVIOUSLY better than one loss Oregon. That belief was created in January-August, not November.
Stanford will have two games with other preseason top 10 teams, and both games are at Stanford Stadium. For preseason magazines that is too much to overlook.
BTW - What exactly needs to happen for the stadium to get those temporary seats in for a game or two or three? I would think the Big Game followed the next week by a game that could decide a lot of BCS stuff would be a good time to bring in the temporary seats. Also it is not out of the question that the Oregon game will also be in November. Stanford could easily have three massive games at home in November.