10-13-2013, 05:16 PM
I won't go so far as to say this loss doesn't really matter, but...
The loss to Utah gives the tiebreaker to Utah, IF they were in the same division or IF it matters for a non-BCS bowl...
Stanford still has its destiny in its own hands as far as getting the P12 title. They still must beat P12 North opponents, Ore, Ore St. and Cal, and would still have to if they beat Utah.
The loss affects the rankings now, but its early enough to climb right back into the conversation, especially with wins over UCLA, Ore, OreSt. Losses to Cal, USC or ND would be much more devastating, as late in the season as those are.
As a college baseball coach, I've learned that losses provide the greatest opportunity for growth on good teams. It provides impetus for working harder, re-focusing on details, and clearing the atmosphere of complacency or cockiness.
This makes them stronger in time to make the real statement....
...of course, all of this assumes they are a team that can beat anybody, which they are. It's just real hard to beat everybody.
The loss to Utah gives the tiebreaker to Utah, IF they were in the same division or IF it matters for a non-BCS bowl...
Stanford still has its destiny in its own hands as far as getting the P12 title. They still must beat P12 North opponents, Ore, Ore St. and Cal, and would still have to if they beat Utah.
The loss affects the rankings now, but its early enough to climb right back into the conversation, especially with wins over UCLA, Ore, OreSt. Losses to Cal, USC or ND would be much more devastating, as late in the season as those are.
As a college baseball coach, I've learned that losses provide the greatest opportunity for growth on good teams. It provides impetus for working harder, re-focusing on details, and clearing the atmosphere of complacency or cockiness.
This makes them stronger in time to make the real statement....
...of course, all of this assumes they are a team that can beat anybody, which they are. It's just real hard to beat everybody.