[yvonne]

[quote author=Yvonne link=topic=6550.msg48549#msg48549 date=1348809233]

Are you Jerry?

McGuire or Seinfeld?
[/quote]

I'm not sure.  http://thecardboard.org/jeff-vs-jerry-st...ashington/

[yvonne]

[quote author=Yvonne link=topic=6550.msg48549#msg48549 date=1348809233]

Are you Jerry?

McGuire or Seinfeld?
[/quote]

I'm not sure.  http://thecardboard.org/jeff-vs-jerry-st...ashington/

[estephan500]

I would have preferred that we pulled off a last second win in that last drive.  But how much would that have allowed us to believe in some kind of magic that keeps us a top-ten team?  We need an offense. When you get one of those, you get to have the shiny top-ten dreams.  We will have them again, but not now.

[estephan500]

I would have preferred that we pulled off a last second win in that last drive.  But how much would that have allowed us to believe in some kind of magic that keeps us a top-ten team?  We need an offense. When you get one of those, you get to have the shiny top-ten dreams.  We will have them again, but not now.

[Viking_Guy]

While I place some blame on receivers being unable to haul in "catchable" balls, Nunes is missing people by 2+ yards, even on short passes.  The spiked ball when they had Hewitt perfectly set up for a fullback screen in the second quarter.  Balls consistently behind players in their route.  And balls to wide open receivers that are at their feet, or so badly off target that there is no chance for yards after the catch if the receiver can even come up with it.  Yes, he hit some passes.  But the passes down field are only close because they are long enough to allow the receivers to adjust a bit.

Play-calling?  How many times did we try to run three straight times tonight - I saw a lot of 2nd and 6 passes.  First drive?  Two rushes by Stepfan puts us in 3rd and 2.  Incomplete pass by Nunes.  Second drive, sparked by a screen to Montgomery and the blown coverage pass to Ertz (oh, by the way, on 3rd and 2 after 2 rushes for 8 yards), ends when with 1st down at the 18, we pass (badly incomplete), run for 5 yards on 2nd down, then another incomplete pass.  3rd drive, Nunes runs out of bounds for a 2 yard loss rather than throwing the ball away.  Short pass to Montgomery, then incomplete pass.  Fourth drive, no gain by Hewitt on the bad spot after a 3rd and 1 (after 2 rushes).  5th drive?  Rush for 3.  Delay of game.  Pass for 5.  Incomplete pass.  Sixth drive.  Rush for 4, then two incomplete passes.  Seventh drive, first and goal at the 17 after the long pass to Ertz.  First down?  Incomplete pass.  2nd down rush for 3.  3rd down a short pass to Taylor for 4 yards.

Yes, Nunes was bad.  But really?  You have a good running back, and both times you make the red zone and sustain a drive, you call a first down pass?  4 passes and 2 rushes in the red zone in the half?  That's play calling to me.  Not just execution.

And one last thing.  If Nunes' advantage is that he's a better game manager, why the heck do we have 2-3 delay of game penalties a game, or (as in the first half) a timeout forced because it looked like he couldn't find the play on his wristband?  What's the assessment of his putting Stanford "in the right play" - I don't notice a whole lot of changes at the line of scrimmage?  And is it really a "progression" if the QB never comes off his primary receiver - some of the throws into a covered screen were really dangerous.

One last thought: there should not be a single play this season where Nunes is in an empty backfield, unless it's a designed draw.

Ugh.

VG

[Viking_Guy]

While I place some blame on receivers being unable to haul in "catchable" balls, Nunes is missing people by 2+ yards, even on short passes.  The spiked ball when they had Hewitt perfectly set up for a fullback screen in the second quarter.  Balls consistently behind players in their route.  And balls to wide open receivers that are at their feet, or so badly off target that there is no chance for yards after the catch if the receiver can even come up with it.  Yes, he hit some passes.  But the passes down field are only close because they are long enough to allow the receivers to adjust a bit.

Play-calling?  How many times did we try to run three straight times tonight - I saw a lot of 2nd and 6 passes.  First drive?  Two rushes by Stepfan puts us in 3rd and 2.  Incomplete pass by Nunes.  Second drive, sparked by a screen to Montgomery and the blown coverage pass to Ertz (oh, by the way, on 3rd and 2 after 2 rushes for 8 yards), ends when with 1st down at the 18, we pass (badly incomplete), run for 5 yards on 2nd down, then another incomplete pass.  3rd drive, Nunes runs out of bounds for a 2 yard loss rather than throwing the ball away.  Short pass to Montgomery, then incomplete pass.  Fourth drive, no gain by Hewitt on the bad spot after a 3rd and 1 (after 2 rushes).  5th drive?  Rush for 3.  Delay of game.  Pass for 5.  Incomplete pass.  Sixth drive.  Rush for 4, then two incomplete passes.  Seventh drive, first and goal at the 17 after the long pass to Ertz.  First down?  Incomplete pass.  2nd down rush for 3.  3rd down a short pass to Taylor for 4 yards.

Yes, Nunes was bad.  But really?  You have a good running back, and both times you make the red zone and sustain a drive, you call a first down pass?  4 passes and 2 rushes in the red zone in the half?  That's play calling to me.  Not just execution.

And one last thing.  If Nunes' advantage is that he's a better game manager, why the heck do we have 2-3 delay of game penalties a game, or (as in the first half) a timeout forced because it looked like he couldn't find the play on his wristband?  What's the assessment of his putting Stanford "in the right play" - I don't notice a whole lot of changes at the line of scrimmage?  And is it really a "progression" if the QB never comes off his primary receiver - some of the throws into a covered screen were really dangerous.

One last thought: there should not be a single play this season where Nunes is in an empty backfield, unless it's a designed draw.

Ugh.

VG

[yvonne]

[quote author=Yvonne link=topic=6550.msg48549#msg48549 date=1348809233]
[quote author=Rando90 link=topic=6550.msg48547#msg48547 date=1348809120]
[quote author=TreeFitty link=topic=6550.msg48541#msg48541 date=1348808891]
[quote author=Rando90 link=topic=6550.msg48539#msg48539 date=1348808743]

We're going to win more than 7 games. This is Stanford. Come on.

As an alum of the buddy/harris era, "This is Stanford. Come on" doesnt quite work as you intend. :)
[/quote]

I became a fan in 2009. I understand where you are coming from. But this is a team with too much talent to lose more than half of the remaining games. There is just no way.

This forum can be really pessimistic at times. I'm not happy with our performance tonight. I'm really disappointed, but I have faith in our team. We are winners. We're going to do very well this season.
[/quote]

Are you Jerry?
[/quote]

McGuire or Seinfeld?
[/quote]

Ooops, I meant Jeff.

[yvonne]

[quote author=Yvonne link=topic=6550.msg48549#msg48549 date=1348809233]
[quote author=Rando90 link=topic=6550.msg48547#msg48547 date=1348809120]
[quote author=TreeFitty link=topic=6550.msg48541#msg48541 date=1348808891]
[quote author=Rando90 link=topic=6550.msg48539#msg48539 date=1348808743]

We're going to win more than 7 games. This is Stanford. Come on.

As an alum of the buddy/harris era, "This is Stanford. Come on" doesnt quite work as you intend. :)
[/quote]

I became a fan in 2009. I understand where you are coming from. But this is a team with too much talent to lose more than half of the remaining games. There is just no way.

This forum can be really pessimistic at times. I'm not happy with our performance tonight. I'm really disappointed, but I have faith in our team. We are winners. We're going to do very well this season.
[/quote]

Are you Jerry?
[/quote]

McGuire or Seinfeld?
[/quote]

Ooops, I meant Jeff.

[SamAtoms1980]

[quote author=TreeFitty link=topic=6550.msg48541#msg48541 date=1348808891]
[quote author=Rando90 link=topic=6550.msg48539#msg48539 date=1348808743]

We're going to win more than 7 games. This is Stanford. Come on.

As an alum of the buddy/harris era, "This is Stanford. Come on" doesnt quite work as you intend. :)
[/quote]

I became a fan in 2009. I understand where you are coming from. But this is a team with too much talent to lose more than half of the remaining games. There is just no way.

This forum can be really pessimistic at times. I'm not happy with our performance tonight. I'm really disappointed, but I have faith in our team. We are winners. We're going to do very well this season.
[/quote]

This is nothing.  The Bootleg is downright bipolar.  Down in their "Thunderdome" (http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=18&f=4351) some of them looked like they were starting to lose it after our WIN over San Jose State.  Now they look like they're getting ready to put together a lynch mob in Palo Alto.  And I can't say that Shaw doesn't deserve it.  I became a fan in 2002, so I have a slightly different perspective.  That felt like watching a Buddy or WLAT-coached game.

[SamAtoms1980]

[quote author=TreeFitty link=topic=6550.msg48541#msg48541 date=1348808891]
[quote author=Rando90 link=topic=6550.msg48539#msg48539 date=1348808743]

We're going to win more than 7 games. This is Stanford. Come on.

As an alum of the buddy/harris era, "This is Stanford. Come on" doesnt quite work as you intend. :)
[/quote]

I became a fan in 2009. I understand where you are coming from. But this is a team with too much talent to lose more than half of the remaining games. There is just no way.

This forum can be really pessimistic at times. I'm not happy with our performance tonight. I'm really disappointed, but I have faith in our team. We are winners. We're going to do very well this season.
[/quote]

This is nothing.  The Bootleg is downright bipolar.  Down in their "Thunderdome" (http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=18&f=4351) some of them looked like they were starting to lose it after our WIN over San Jose State.  Now they look like they're getting ready to put together a lynch mob in Palo Alto.  And I can't say that Shaw doesn't deserve it.  I became a fan in 2002, so I have a slightly different perspective.  That felt like watching a Buddy or WLAT-coached game.

[Cardinal96]

We laid an egg on national tv.  Yes, Montgomery had a chance to make a catch on some of those balls but none of those passes were right on the money.  Nunes simply looks lost out there.  We didn't score an offensive touchdown against Washington.  I am not seeing the downside to giving Nottingham a shot. 

[Cardinal96]

We laid an egg on national tv.  Yes, Montgomery had a chance to make a catch on some of those balls but none of those passes were right on the money.  Nunes simply looks lost out there.  We didn't score an offensive touchdown against Washington.  I am not seeing the downside to giving Nottingham a shot. 

[vataha]

Viking Guy nailed it in his post above. I may have posted last night during the first half how the QB situation reminded me of Cordova/Benjamin/Waldvogel. But the poor play calling and anemic offense surely went down like Walt vintage 2006.

Did anyone else pick-up on the feeling that Nunes does not seem to have the teams confidence? Unfortunately his coach has put him in a position where he is the tip of the spear for criticism. Nunes needs to step back and  study from the sideline now that he has considerable game experience to see things in a different light....from the sidelines. Nunes is under tremendous pressure now. Shaw needs to pop the zit.

[vataha]

Viking Guy nailed it in his post above. I may have posted last night during the first half how the QB situation reminded me of Cordova/Benjamin/Waldvogel. But the poor play calling and anemic offense surely went down like Walt vintage 2006.

Did anyone else pick-up on the feeling that Nunes does not seem to have the teams confidence? Unfortunately his coach has put him in a position where he is the tip of the spear for criticism. Nunes needs to step back and  study from the sideline now that he has considerable game experience to see things in a different light....from the sidelines. Nunes is under tremendous pressure now. Shaw needs to pop the zit.

[TreeFitty]

Well, Arizona was a wild card.

I think 7 wins can happen if Nunes walks away from this with more confidence.

[TreeFitty]

Well, Arizona was a wild card.

I think 7 wins can happen if Nunes walks away from this with more confidence.

[CowboyIndian]

I think 7 wins can happen if Nunes walks away from this with more confidence.

How could he not? I sure as hell did.

[CowboyIndian]

I think 7 wins can happen if Nunes walks away from this with more confidence.

How could he not? I sure as hell did.

[fullmetal]

He showed progress alright, maybe a week late, but there was progress.  Props to him for keeping up with a shootout, although Arizona's ability to pick apart our defense was due to short rest during quickly-ending drives.  We should be able to keep up with WSU, Colorado, and UCLA.  ND and kal should be winnable but may be tough.  And Oregon...well, hopefully Stanford will do better than Washington did tonight.  Don't fumble, don't muff punts, and don't throw pick-sixes.

[fullmetal]

He showed progress alright, maybe a week late, but there was progress.  Props to him for keeping up with a shootout, although Arizona's ability to pick apart our defense was due to short rest during quickly-ending drives.  We should be able to keep up with WSU, Colorado, and UCLA.  ND and kal should be winnable but may be tough.  And Oregon...well, hopefully Stanford will do better than Washington did tonight.  Don't fumble, don't muff punts, and don't throw pick-sixes.

[TreeFitty]

7+ wins looking pretty good right.

perhaps 8+ now in sight?

[TreeFitty]

7+ wins looking pretty good right.

perhaps 8+ now in sight?

[Farm93]

UCB beat UCLA and Wazzu.  Colorado is the Wazzu of the Pac-12 South. 

That's all I need to know about those programs.

8 - 4 = Holiday or Sun depending on whether or not the Pac-12 has 2 BCS Bowl teams
9 - 3 = Alamo or Holiday depending on the Pac-12 BCS bowl situation
10 - 2 = Actually not possible because 10 wins would put Stanford in the Pac-12 Championship game.

But those look like the possibilities at this point.  OSU is coming to the Farm.  I would never have guessed that game would be big at the start of the year, but it seems likely to decide team #3 in the Pac-12 bowl order at this point.

[Farm93]

UCB beat UCLA and Wazzu.  Colorado is the Wazzu of the Pac-12 South. 

That's all I need to know about those programs.

8 - 4 = Holiday or Sun depending on whether or not the Pac-12 has 2 BCS Bowl teams
9 - 3 = Alamo or Holiday depending on the Pac-12 BCS bowl situation
10 - 2 = Actually not possible because 10 wins would put Stanford in the Pac-12 Championship game.

But those look like the possibilities at this point.  OSU is coming to the Farm.  I would never have guessed that game would be big at the start of the year, but it seems likely to decide team #3 in the Pac-12 bowl order at this point.

[terry]

I'm not convinced that OSU is for real. I like our chances in that game.

[terry]

I'm not convinced that OSU is for real. I like our chances in that game.

[Rando]

I hear a lot of people on this forum saying they don't think OSU is for real or they are overrated.

They held Arizona to 14 points less than we did. They have won all their games played so far (including UCLA and Wisconsin, ranked at the time).

I haven't watched them play and I don't know too much about Oregon State. But their D is obviously strong and 17th in points allowed in the country. I think they are for real and I'd put them at about the same level as us.

[Rando]

I hear a lot of people on this forum saying they don't think OSU is for real or they are overrated.

They held Arizona to 14 points less than we did. They have won all their games played so far (including UCLA and Wisconsin, ranked at the time).

I haven't watched them play and I don't know too much about Oregon State. But their D is obviously strong and 17th in points allowed in the country. I think they are for real and I'd put them at about the same level as us.

[Rando]

I hear a lot of people on this forum saying they don't think OSU is for real or they are overrated.

They held Arizona to 14 points less than we did. They have won all their games played so far (including UCLA and Wisconsin, ranked at the time).

I haven't watched them play and I don't know too much about Oregon State. But their D is obviously strong and 17th in points allowed in the country. I think they are for real and I'd put them at about the same level as us.

[Rando]

I hear a lot of people on this forum saying they don't think OSU is for real or they are overrated.

They held Arizona to 14 points less than we did. They have won all their games played so far (including UCLA and Wisconsin, ranked at the time).

I haven't watched them play and I don't know too much about Oregon State. But their D is obviously strong and 17th in points allowed in the country. I think they are for real and I'd put them at about the same level as us.

[fullmetal]

If the Stanford offense could have sustained some drives, Arizona would have had that many fewer chances to score.  I personally see OSU as in the same tier as Stanford though slightly under Stanford...which means they are a very dangerous team.

[fullmetal]

If the Stanford offense could have sustained some drives, Arizona would have had that many fewer chances to score.  I personally see OSU as in the same tier as Stanford though slightly under Stanford...which means they are a very dangerous team.

[fullmetal]

If the Stanford offense could have sustained some drives, Arizona would have had that many fewer chances to score.  I personally see OSU as in the same tier as Stanford though slightly under Stanford...which means they are a very dangerous team.

[fullmetal]

If the Stanford offense could have sustained some drives, Arizona would have had that many fewer chances to score.  I personally see OSU as in the same tier as Stanford though slightly under Stanford...which means they are a very dangerous team.

[OutsiderFan]

I'm hoping Oregon State at Stanford is treated as a big game by Stanford fans, and they create a great atmosphere for it.  I feel confident Stanford will beat Wazzu and Colorado, so I'm looking ahead a bit.  No, Stanford won't be playing for a BCS at-large berth, but it seems likely the Pac-12 North will still be up for grabs and Oregon State will have at large BCS hopes when the teams square off.  That game will be kind of a barometer to demonstrate if Stanford has truly grown its fan base and has tipped to being a mainstay, contending college football program. 

It sure would be nice to see a sold out stadium rocking for an opponent other than USC, California, or Notre Dame.

[OutsiderFan]

I'm hoping Oregon State at Stanford is treated as a big game by Stanford fans, and they create a great atmosphere for it.  I feel confident Stanford will beat Wazzu and Colorado, so I'm looking ahead a bit.  No, Stanford won't be playing for a BCS at-large berth, but it seems likely the Pac-12 North will still be up for grabs and Oregon State will have at large BCS hopes when the teams square off.  That game will be kind of a barometer to demonstrate if Stanford has truly grown its fan base and has tipped to being a mainstay, contending college football program. 

It sure would be nice to see a sold out stadium rocking for an opponent other than USC, California, or Notre Dame.

[OutsiderFan]

I'm hoping Oregon State at Stanford is treated as a big game by Stanford fans, and they create a great atmosphere for it.  I feel confident Stanford will beat Wazzu and Colorado, so I'm looking ahead a bit.  No, Stanford won't be playing for a BCS at-large berth, but it seems likely the Pac-12 North will still be up for grabs and Oregon State will have at large BCS hopes when the teams square off.  That game will be kind of a barometer to demonstrate if Stanford has truly grown its fan base and has tipped to being a mainstay, contending college football program. 

It sure would be nice to see a sold out stadium rocking for an opponent other than USC, California, or Notre Dame.

[OutsiderFan]

I'm hoping Oregon State at Stanford is treated as a big game by Stanford fans, and they create a great atmosphere for it.  I feel confident Stanford will beat Wazzu and Colorado, so I'm looking ahead a bit.  No, Stanford won't be playing for a BCS at-large berth, but it seems likely the Pac-12 North will still be up for grabs and Oregon State will have at large BCS hopes when the teams square off.  That game will be kind of a barometer to demonstrate if Stanford has truly grown its fan base and has tipped to being a mainstay, contending college football program. 

It sure would be nice to see a sold out stadium rocking for an opponent other than USC, California, or Notre Dame.

[Farm93]

Clearly the team needs to focus on the opponent of the week.  There is certainly a chance for any opponent to step up and win on any given Saturday.  Sure, sure.

Things can happen during the game too.  And 14-25 point underdogs win games all of the time, so it could happen.  Still any reasonably positive outlook has to include Stanford wins in all 3 games.  Given the initial premise was can Stanford get to 7+ wins.  The answer now is clearly yes, because UCB is simply better than all 3 of these Pac-12 squads.

Can Stanford beat OSU without a good game by Nunes?  We will see, but I am very thankful that game is at Stanford Stadium
Can Stanford beat Oregon without an amazing game by Nunes?  I doubt it.  Though here too the underdog could win.

9 wins seems probable, but with a first year starter the team may still lose one more that will shock the fans.  8-4 or 9-3 seems to be where the team will finish.  Those were the records many seemed to predict at the start of the year.  The team is pretty much playing to expectations with Nunes a touch below and the defense well above expectations.  Given the defensive excellence and the schedule, Stanford can get to 9 wins even if Nunes' does not improve at all.  Ironically, Stanford probably would max out at 9 wins even if Nunes' improves a lot.

[Farm93]

Clearly the team needs to focus on the opponent of the week.  There is certainly a chance for any opponent to step up and win on any given Saturday.  Sure, sure.

Things can happen during the game too.  And 14-25 point underdogs win games all of the time, so it could happen.  Still any reasonably positive outlook has to include Stanford wins in all 3 games.  Given the initial premise was can Stanford get to 7+ wins.  The answer now is clearly yes, because UCB is simply better than all 3 of these Pac-12 squads.

Can Stanford beat OSU without a good game by Nunes?  We will see, but I am very thankful that game is at Stanford Stadium
Can Stanford beat Oregon without an amazing game by Nunes?  I doubt it.  Though here too the underdog could win.

9 wins seems probable, but with a first year starter the team may still lose one more that will shock the fans.  8-4 or 9-3 seems to be where the team will finish.  Those were the records many seemed to predict at the start of the year.  The team is pretty much playing to expectations with Nunes a touch below and the defense well above expectations.  Given the defensive excellence and the schedule, Stanford can get to 9 wins even if Nunes' does not improve at all.  Ironically, Stanford probably would max out at 9 wins even if Nunes' improves a lot.