10-19-2014, 03:45 PM
I am a fan and have been for 15+ years. I've seen many worse teams in those years but probably none as frustrating. I ask myself why, and I think it's because:
1. This team is underperforming with respect to expectations. We've had bad teams over the years, but we never expected much out of them. It's fair to say we expect more of Stanford football after 4 consecutive BCS bowl games and back-to-back Pac-12 championships.
2. This team is underperforming with respect to its talent. We have a great defense, and seemingly good talent on the offensive side. Stanford teams are typically greater than the sum of their parts, but the feeling is this one isn't.
3. The way this team is shooting itself in the foot with bad penalties. False starts, illegal procedure, penalties that wipe out scores. Sigh.
4. The way this team is killing itself with boneheaded plays and not taking care of the ball. Muffing a punt that should not have been caught, stretching for the goal line and fumbling. We expect Stanford to play smart. The team isn't.
Ultimately it's not 4-3 that has me concerned. It's the way we've played ourselves into 4-3 that's painful. I'm hoping Shaw can get us back to playing disciplined, mistake-free, smart, team football. That's what Stanford football is about.
1. This team is underperforming with respect to expectations. We've had bad teams over the years, but we never expected much out of them. It's fair to say we expect more of Stanford football after 4 consecutive BCS bowl games and back-to-back Pac-12 championships.
2. This team is underperforming with respect to its talent. We have a great defense, and seemingly good talent on the offensive side. Stanford teams are typically greater than the sum of their parts, but the feeling is this one isn't.
3. The way this team is shooting itself in the foot with bad penalties. False starts, illegal procedure, penalties that wipe out scores. Sigh.
4. The way this team is killing itself with boneheaded plays and not taking care of the ball. Muffing a punt that should not have been caught, stretching for the goal line and fumbling. We expect Stanford to play smart. The team isn't.
Ultimately it's not 4-3 that has me concerned. It's the way we've played ourselves into 4-3 that's painful. I'm hoping Shaw can get us back to playing disciplined, mistake-free, smart, team football. That's what Stanford football is about.