[Cardinal96]

[quote author=OutsiderFan link=topic=9313.msg80440#msg80440 date=1388689990]
Actually, I think Florida State and Alabama both have 14-0 talent.  No, Alabama did not go undefeated, and Florida State has yet to, but those are the teams that have the talent in 2014 to have done it. 

Stanford doesn't have 14-0 talent, and probably never will.  Florida State and Alabama are just as talented as Stanford in the trenches, and better at QB, WR, TE, DB, and probably RB too when you get down to it. 

Stanford in reality has 10-3 or 11-2 talent right now and probably maximized the potential of its talent as well as any team in the country the last two seasons.  Yes, the Rose Bowl play calling could have been a little more wide open, but Stanford doesn't have 14-0 talent.  Suggesting so is naive at best.

There was not a single game this year where I thought the opposing team had better players, and I consider Stanford's talent equal to FSU and Alabama.  They might have better players at some of the skill positions, but our OL and D front 7 are the best in the nation.  The gap that needs the most attention is OC.  The gameplanning and playcalling has been too hit and miss this year.

I have no problems with the 4th & 1 call.  I have a problem with the 20+ previous playcalls that put the team in a position where they needed to convert that 4th & 1 to have a chance to win.
[/quote]

I am not sure where to begin with the Alabama and FSU comparison.  In terms of skill talent, the discrepancy is vast.  Let's take FSU.  They have Jameis Winston who is a virtual lock for number 1 overall whenever he declares.  They have two NFL-ready wide receivers to throw to.  Their secondary is elite.  The OL and DL are chock full of NFL prospects, higher rated than Stanford's.  I gauge NFL draft prospects as the best proxy for talent.  And on that measure it isn't a contest.

[Cardinal96]

[quote author=OutsiderFan link=topic=9313.msg80440#msg80440 date=1388689990]
Actually, I think Florida State and Alabama both have 14-0 talent.  No, Alabama did not go undefeated, and Florida State has yet to, but those are the teams that have the talent in 2014 to have done it. 

Stanford doesn't have 14-0 talent, and probably never will.  Florida State and Alabama are just as talented as Stanford in the trenches, and better at QB, WR, TE, DB, and probably RB too when you get down to it. 

Stanford in reality has 10-3 or 11-2 talent right now and probably maximized the potential of its talent as well as any team in the country the last two seasons.  Yes, the Rose Bowl play calling could have been a little more wide open, but Stanford doesn't have 14-0 talent.  Suggesting so is naive at best.

There was not a single game this year where I thought the opposing team had better players, and I consider Stanford's talent equal to FSU and Alabama.  They might have better players at some of the skill positions, but our OL and D front 7 are the best in the nation.  The gap that needs the most attention is OC.  The gameplanning and playcalling has been too hit and miss this year.

I have no problems with the 4th & 1 call.  I have a problem with the 20+ previous playcalls that put the team in a position where they needed to convert that 4th & 1 to have a chance to win.
[/quote]

I am not sure where to begin with the Alabama and FSU comparison.  In terms of skill talent, the discrepancy is vast.  Let's take FSU.  They have Jameis Winston who is a virtual lock for number 1 overall whenever he declares.  They have two NFL-ready wide receivers to throw to.  Their secondary is elite.  The OL and DL are chock full of NFL prospects, higher rated than Stanford's.  I gauge NFL draft prospects as the best proxy for talent.  And on that measure it isn't a contest.