[Treebound]

Many great points in this thread, so "thanks" Yvonne.
Defense: I have a bias to defense and I think we will have more depth, speed and experience than we have ever had.  Mason's Maulers need to keep up the pressure and win the takeaway battle.  They put some great points on the board this year and they will do it again.

Offense:  I agree with many that the key will be the development of our OL.  Shaw will run Power (ideally not quite so predictably under our new OC0.  We need our guys to develop, especially the fantastic (cue Kieth Jackson) "325 pound soph-o-mores."  If we control the LOS then we win with Shaw's balanced attack and our new wide outs and TE's can develop their game and holes will be opened for RB by committee until a leader or two emerge.

Schedule:  We have a great home schedule in the odd years and we have lost very few games at home in the last five years (Oregon and Kal).  It's our house and we defend it very well.  Oregon, ND, Ucle and the weenies are all at home next year.  It sets us up for a run.  The P12 is tough, but I think the Ducks and $C will be challenged with coaching issues next year.

QB - Shaw showed us that he is slow and cautious in making a QB switch.  I do wonder if Bob Bowlsby would have pushed the Nunes Hogan switch given the feedback he gave to David post Fiesta.    My hope is Lloyd is all that and more and that those two push each other to really be great.    Hogan was good in the Rose Bowl, but not great.  Granted, we were all spoiled watching what will be one of the top 3 QBs ever play 2009-2011.   

My how times have changed for Stanford.  Whatever happens, I'll be there and enjoying the ride.  I'm thankful for where we are and I'm excited about where we are going!

[Treebound]

Many great points in this thread, so "thanks" Yvonne.
Defense: I have a bias to defense and I think we will have more depth, speed and experience than we have ever had.  Mason's Maulers need to keep up the pressure and win the takeaway battle.  They put some great points on the board this year and they will do it again.

Offense:  I agree with many that the key will be the development of our OL.  Shaw will run Power (ideally not quite so predictably under our new OC0.  We need our guys to develop, especially the fantastic (cue Kieth Jackson) "325 pound soph-o-mores."  If we control the LOS then we win with Shaw's balanced attack and our new wide outs and TE's can develop their game and holes will be opened for RB by committee until a leader or two emerge.

Schedule:  We have a great home schedule in the odd years and we have lost very few games at home in the last five years (Oregon and Kal).  It's our house and we defend it very well.  Oregon, ND, Ucle and the weenies are all at home next year.  It sets us up for a run.  The P12 is tough, but I think the Ducks and $C will be challenged with coaching issues next year.

QB - Shaw showed us that he is slow and cautious in making a QB switch.  I do wonder if Bob Bowlsby would have pushed the Nunes Hogan switch given the feedback he gave to David post Fiesta.    My hope is Lloyd is all that and more and that those two push each other to really be great.    Hogan was good in the Rose Bowl, but not great.  Granted, we were all spoiled watching what will be one of the top 3 QBs ever play 2009-2011.   

My how times have changed for Stanford.  Whatever happens, I'll be there and enjoying the ride.  I'm thankful for where we are and I'm excited about where we are going!