[Snorlax94]

The AP released its Top 25 Pre-Season Poll yesterday. 

Stanford nowhere to be seen, not even in "also receiving votes," so not even in the top 44.

Of note,
Notre Dame #9
Oregon #11
USC #15
Washington #20
Utah #24
Arizona State #25

Also receiving votes UCLA (#44)

Some thoughts...
#1) It feels like this is how they rank teams *every* year. It's like, they don't know anything about the Pac-12, they know some teams will end up "pretty good" so they sprinkle some teams in.

#2) What I agree with is that there should be a lot of teams in the back half, reflecting the parity in the conference.

#3) Of course Stanford catches all the (pre-season) top-ranked teams in the South, so they play 12 Power 5 opponents and 6 pre-season ranked opponents.

[Snorlax94]

The AP released its Top 25 Pre-Season Poll yesterday. 

Stanford nowhere to be seen, not even in "also receiving votes," so not even in the top 44.

Of note,
Notre Dame #9
Oregon #11
USC #15
Washington #20
Utah #24
Arizona State #25

Also receiving votes UCLA (#44)

Some thoughts...
#1) It feels like this is how they rank teams *every* year. It's like, they don't know anything about the Pac-12, they know some teams will end up "pretty good" so they sprinkle some teams in.

#2) What I agree with is that there should be a lot of teams in the back half, reflecting the parity in the conference.

#3) Of course Stanford catches all the (pre-season) top-ranked teams in the South, so they play 12 Power 5 opponents and 6 pre-season ranked opponents.

[Papa John]

I haven't been following closely, but isn't ASU kind-of imploding due to recruiting violations?

[Papa John]

I haven't been following closely, but isn't ASU kind-of imploding due to recruiting violations?

[gailtate]

The AP released its Top 25 Pre-Season Poll yesterday. 

Stanford nowhere to be seen, not even in "also receiving votes," so not even in the top 44.

Of note,
Notre Dame #9
Oregon #11
USC #15
Washington #20
Utah #24
Arizona State #25

Also receiving votes UCLA (#44)

Some thoughts...
#1) It feels like this is how they rank teams *every* year. It's like, they don't know anything about the Pac-12, they know some teams will end up "pretty good" so they sprinkle some teams in.

#2) What I agree with is that there should be a lot of teams in the back half, reflecting the parity in the conference.

#3) Of course Stanford catches all the (pre-season) top-ranked teams in the South, so they play 12 Power 5 opponents and 6 pre-season ranked opponents.

What's the big deal? This is NOT a top-25 team. No way, no how. Top 45 maybe. And Austin Jones is losing weight. I'm preparing for one of those seasons when, in November, everybody is "Hey, it's the Big Game. It's our bowl game, man!"

[gailtate]

The AP released its Top 25 Pre-Season Poll yesterday. 

Stanford nowhere to be seen, not even in "also receiving votes," so not even in the top 44.

Of note,
Notre Dame #9
Oregon #11
USC #15
Washington #20
Utah #24
Arizona State #25

Also receiving votes UCLA (#44)

Some thoughts...
#1) It feels like this is how they rank teams *every* year. It's like, they don't know anything about the Pac-12, they know some teams will end up "pretty good" so they sprinkle some teams in.

#2) What I agree with is that there should be a lot of teams in the back half, reflecting the parity in the conference.

#3) Of course Stanford catches all the (pre-season) top-ranked teams in the South, so they play 12 Power 5 opponents and 6 pre-season ranked opponents.

What's the big deal? This is NOT a top-25 team. No way, no how. Top 45 maybe. And Austin Jones is losing weight. I'm preparing for one of those seasons when, in November, everybody is "Hey, it's the Big Game. It's our bowl game, man!"

[Stanfordindians1again]

Hey Gailtate

take your pessimistic whiney voice elsewhere.  We are un defeated and playing the toughest schedule in the land.

We don't need your negatives   :-

[Stanfordindians1again]

Hey Gailtate

take your pessimistic whiney voice elsewhere.  We are un defeated and playing the toughest schedule in the land.

We don't need your negatives   :-

[chrisk]

Stanford and Cal each received 1 vote in the coaches pre-season poll.

Utah was #26 in points, Northwestern #27, and Arizona State #28.

[chrisk]

Stanford and Cal each received 1 vote in the coaches pre-season poll.

Utah was #26 in points, Northwestern #27, and Arizona State #28.

[Papa John]

<snip>

This is NOT a top-25 team. No way, no how. Top 45 maybe. And Austin Jones is losing weight. 

<snip>

Well, at season's end this could be a top-25 team--if the defense improves significantly over the past few years--but I agree it's not likely. 

But why is Austin Jones at 5' 10", 190 lbs so concerning?

[Papa John]

<snip>

This is NOT a top-25 team. No way, no how. Top 45 maybe. And Austin Jones is losing weight. 

<snip>

Well, at season's end this could be a top-25 team--if the defense improves significantly over the past few years--but I agree it's not likely. 

But why is Austin Jones at 5' 10", 190 lbs so concerning?

[SamuelMcF]

<snip>

This is NOT a top-25 team. No way, no how. Top 45 maybe. And Austin Jones is losing weight. 

<snip>

Well, at season's end this could be a top-25 team--if the defense improves significantly over the past few years--but I agree it's not likely. 

But why is Austin Jones at 5' 10", 190 lbs so concerning?

It's not. He purposely lost it to be more explosive.

[SamuelMcF]

<snip>

This is NOT a top-25 team. No way, no how. Top 45 maybe. And Austin Jones is losing weight. 

<snip>

Well, at season's end this could be a top-25 team--if the defense improves significantly over the past few years--but I agree it's not likely. 

But why is Austin Jones at 5' 10", 190 lbs so concerning?

It's not. He purposely lost it to be more explosive.

[BostonCard]

It's not. He purposely lost it to be more explosive.

Wait, he didn't do it to feed the narrative of terminal declinism?

BC

[BostonCard]

It's not. He purposely lost it to be more explosive.

Wait, he didn't do it to feed the narrative of terminal declinism?

BC

[Mick]

The AP released its Top 25 Pre-Season Poll yesterday. 

Stanford nowhere to be seen, not even in "also receiving votes," so not even in the top 44.

Of note,
Notre Dame #9
Oregon #11
USC #15
Washington #20
Utah #24
Arizona State #25

Also receiving votes UCLA (#44)

Some thoughts...
#1) It feels like this is how they rank teams *every* year. It's like, they don't know anything about the Pac-12, they know some teams will end up "pretty good" so they sprinkle some teams in.

#2) What I agree with is that there should be a lot of teams in the back half, reflecting the parity in the conference.

#3) Of course Stanford catches all the (pre-season) top-ranked teams in the South, so they play 12 Power 5 opponents and 6 pre-season ranked opponents.

What's the big deal? This is NOT a top-25 team. No way, no how. Top 45 maybe. And Austin Jones is losing weight. I'm preparing for one of those seasons when, in November, everybody is "Hey, it's the Big Game. It's our bowl game, man!"

We're going 9-4.  Book it.

[Mick]

The AP released its Top 25 Pre-Season Poll yesterday. 

Stanford nowhere to be seen, not even in "also receiving votes," so not even in the top 44.

Of note,
Notre Dame #9
Oregon #11
USC #15
Washington #20
Utah #24
Arizona State #25

Also receiving votes UCLA (#44)

Some thoughts...
#1) It feels like this is how they rank teams *every* year. It's like, they don't know anything about the Pac-12, they know some teams will end up "pretty good" so they sprinkle some teams in.

#2) What I agree with is that there should be a lot of teams in the back half, reflecting the parity in the conference.

#3) Of course Stanford catches all the (pre-season) top-ranked teams in the South, so they play 12 Power 5 opponents and 6 pre-season ranked opponents.

What's the big deal? This is NOT a top-25 team. No way, no how. Top 45 maybe. And Austin Jones is losing weight. I'm preparing for one of those seasons when, in November, everybody is "Hey, it's the Big Game. It's our bowl game, man!"

We're going 9-4.  Book it.

[BobK]

My pick last month also Mick.

[BobK]

My pick last month also Mick.

[Mick]

My pick last month also Mick.

Great minds, etc.

[Mick]

My pick last month also Mick.

Great minds, etc.

[gailtate]

My pick last month also Mick.

Great minds, etc.

Great cheerleaders.

[gailtate]

My pick last month also Mick.

Great minds, etc.

Great cheerleaders.

[Mick]

My pick last month also Mick.

Great minds, etc.

Great cheerleaders.

"It is the hopeful, buoyant, cheerful attitude of mind that wins. Optimism is a success builder; pessimism an achievement killer."

- Dr. Orison Swett Marden

[Mick]

My pick last month also Mick.

Great minds, etc.

Great cheerleaders.

"It is the hopeful, buoyant, cheerful attitude of mind that wins. Optimism is a success builder; pessimism an achievement killer."

- Dr. Orison Swett Marden

[teejers1]

My pick last month also Mick.

Great minds, etc.

Great cheerleaders.

"It is the hopeful, buoyant, cheerful attitude of mind that wins. Optimism is a success builder; pessimism an achievement killer."

                - Dr. Orison Swett Marden

How about this:  if you can't be an optimist/cheerleader now, when can you be?

Even I, the resident "cup half empty" poster when it comes to football under Shaw, think there are all kinds of possibilities this season, including the 9-4 you envision.  Think a big driver will be the health of the Front 7 on D because I have no clue if Stanford will get serviceable back line play (particularly at safety).  And oh yeah, the O will need to be good . . . perhaps very good.  But the OL should be there, and that is always the most important part of a good O.

[teejers1]

My pick last month also Mick.

Great minds, etc.

Great cheerleaders.

"It is the hopeful, buoyant, cheerful attitude of mind that wins. Optimism is a success builder; pessimism an achievement killer."

                - Dr. Orison Swett Marden

How about this:  if you can't be an optimist/cheerleader now, when can you be?

Even I, the resident "cup half empty" poster when it comes to football under Shaw, think there are all kinds of possibilities this season, including the 9-4 you envision.  Think a big driver will be the health of the Front 7 on D because I have no clue if Stanford will get serviceable back line play (particularly at safety).  And oh yeah, the O will need to be good . . . perhaps very good.  But the OL should be there, and that is always the most important part of a good O.

[old spanish trail]

I'm at 9-4 also.

[old spanish trail]

I'm at 9-4 also.

[gailtate]

My pick last month also Mick.

Great minds, etc.

Great cheerleaders.

"It is the hopeful, buoyant, cheerful attitude of mind that wins. Optimism is a success builder; pessimism an achievement killer."

                - Dr. Orison Swett Marden

Big piece of territory between pessimism and realism.  Nine wins for this team is pure fantasy.

[gailtate]

My pick last month also Mick.

Great minds, etc.

Great cheerleaders.

"It is the hopeful, buoyant, cheerful attitude of mind that wins. Optimism is a success builder; pessimism an achievement killer."

                - Dr. Orison Swett Marden

Big piece of territory between pessimism and realism.  Nine wins for this team is pure fantasy.

[Mick]

My pick last month also Mick.

Great minds, etc.

Great cheerleaders.

"It is the hopeful, buoyant, cheerful attitude of mind that wins. Optimism is a success builder; pessimism an achievement killer."

                - Dr. Orison Swett Marden

Big piece of territory between pessimism and realism.  Nine wins for this team is pure fantasy.

I remember that Stanford went 5-6 in 1997, then 3-8 in 1998.  I posted publicly in the spring of 1999 that Stanford would go 8-3.  And people laaaaaaaaaaughed and laaaaaaaaaaaughed and asked what I was smoking, etc.

Eight wins later, the Rose Bowl.  Sometimes it happens.

[Mick]

My pick last month also Mick.

Great minds, etc.

Great cheerleaders.

"It is the hopeful, buoyant, cheerful attitude of mind that wins. Optimism is a success builder; pessimism an achievement killer."

                - Dr. Orison Swett Marden

Big piece of territory between pessimism and realism.  Nine wins for this team is pure fantasy.

I remember that Stanford went 5-6 in 1997, then 3-8 in 1998.  I posted publicly in the spring of 1999 that Stanford would go 8-3.  And people laaaaaaaaaaughed and laaaaaaaaaaaughed and asked what I was smoking, etc.

Eight wins later, the Rose Bowl.  Sometimes it happens.

[BostonCard]

A lot of breaks would have to happen, but sometimes a lot of breaks do happen.  Exhibit A, the 2021 Giants.

BC

[BostonCard]

A lot of breaks would have to happen, but sometimes a lot of breaks do happen.  Exhibit A, the 2021 Giants.

BC

[gailtate]

A lot of breaks would have to happen, but sometimes a lot of breaks do happen.  Exhibit A, the 2021 Giants.

BC

Don't get me wrong. I believe in miracles. Really do. I just don't believe you can schedule them.

[gailtate]

A lot of breaks would have to happen, but sometimes a lot of breaks do happen.  Exhibit A, the 2021 Giants.

BC

Don't get me wrong. I believe in miracles. Really do. I just don't believe you can schedule them.

[BostonCard]

As I’ve said before, 5-7 is the most likely outcome in my mind.  But anything between 2 and 9 wins seems within the realm of possibility.

BC

[BostonCard]

As I’ve said before, 5-7 is the most likely outcome in my mind.  But anything between 2 and 9 wins seems within the realm of possibility.

BC