[Spartandawg]

I watched the Stanford/Oregon game a few weeks back because I had action on the Cardinal.  BTW, thanks for that one. 

1) Other than USC, did Stanford face another pro-style opponent this season?  I could spend 10 seconds looking it up, but I enjoy spending that time typing a question.

2) Is there more to Stanford's offense than power and play action to the TE with the occasional deep shot?  It's the greatest offense in football, yet so few teams run it.  Mindboggling.  MSU's OL is finally good again, but we're still not at a level where we can impose our will on any opponent like Wisconsin and Stanford often do.

3) Is the intelligence of Stanford women intimidating?   

[Spartandawg]

I watched the Stanford/Oregon game a few weeks back because I had action on the Cardinal.  BTW, thanks for that one. 

1) Other than USC, did Stanford face another pro-style opponent this season?  I could spend 10 seconds looking it up, but I enjoy spending that time typing a question.

2) Is there more to Stanford's offense than power and play action to the TE with the occasional deep shot?  It's the greatest offense in football, yet so few teams run it.  Mindboggling.  MSU's OL is finally good again, but we're still not at a level where we can impose our will on any opponent like Wisconsin and Stanford often do.

3) Is the intelligence of Stanford women intimidating?   

[washingtonismoney]

1) Other than University of Spoiled Children , did Stanford face another pro-style opponent this season?  I could spend 10 seconds looking it up, but I enjoy spending that time typing a question.

2) Is there more to Stanford's offense than power and play action to the TE with the occasional deep shot?  It's the greatest offense in football, yet so few teams run it.  Mindboggling.  MSU's OL is finally good again, but we're still not at a level where we can impose our will on any opponent like Wisconsin and Stanford often do.

3) Is the intelligence of Stanford women intimidating? 

1) Yes! (sort of): Oregon State lines up in pro-style formations but barely runs. Washington has some vaguely pro-style stuff and goes hurry up no huddle.

2) Yes! Stanford runs power O, inside zone, and deep shots to wideouts this year. The tight ends are basically auxiliary tackles this year. Plus lots lots lots more: the coaches love to show off the intelligence of their players and exercise their imaginations by doing stuff like, say, randomly putting a guard in the backfield as a leading fullback for a quarterback sneak. Or running inverted veer, just because!

3) No! It is invigorating.

[washingtonismoney]

1) Other than University of Spoiled Children , did Stanford face another pro-style opponent this season?  I could spend 10 seconds looking it up, but I enjoy spending that time typing a question.

2) Is there more to Stanford's offense than power and play action to the TE with the occasional deep shot?  It's the greatest offense in football, yet so few teams run it.  Mindboggling.  MSU's OL is finally good again, but we're still not at a level where we can impose our will on any opponent like Wisconsin and Stanford often do.

3) Is the intelligence of Stanford women intimidating? 

1) Yes! (sort of): Oregon State lines up in pro-style formations but barely runs. Washington has some vaguely pro-style stuff and goes hurry up no huddle.

2) Yes! Stanford runs power O, inside zone, and deep shots to wideouts this year. The tight ends are basically auxiliary tackles this year. Plus lots lots lots more: the coaches love to show off the intelligence of their players and exercise their imaginations by doing stuff like, say, randomly putting a guard in the backfield as a leading fullback for a quarterback sneak. Or running inverted veer, just because!

3) No! It is invigorating.

[Trevmiesterj]

One thing about the Stanford Cardinal Football program is that for some reason, the unit doesn't receive the nationwide respect for the wins they have accumulated and the schedule they have faced.  Much like Michigan State this season, when the chip is placed on their collective shoulders they respond with ferocity and victories.  They are a tough minded group filled with seniors in key areas that play hard for each other; any added incentive for focus has not been a good thing for opponents.

With the Spartans leapfrogging the Cardinal in the BCS standings and opening as slight favorites in the Rose despite Stanford drubbing ASU on the road for the Pac-12 Championship the Cardinal will be locked in to prove once again they are elite.

Another important component of their success this year is Special Teams, especially kickoff return yardage.  Ty Montgomery averages over 31 yards per kickoff return and has had 2 TDs this year-this has been a brobdingnagian advantage for the team in regards to field position and grabbing momentum.

[Trevmiesterj]

One thing about the Stanford Cardinal Football program is that for some reason, the unit doesn't receive the nationwide respect for the wins they have accumulated and the schedule they have faced.  Much like Michigan State this season, when the chip is placed on their collective shoulders they respond with ferocity and victories.  They are a tough minded group filled with seniors in key areas that play hard for each other; any added incentive for focus has not been a good thing for opponents.

With the Spartans leapfrogging the Cardinal in the BCS standings and opening as slight favorites in the Rose despite Stanford drubbing ASU on the road for the Pac-12 Championship the Cardinal will be locked in to prove once again they are elite.

Another important component of their success this year is Special Teams, especially kickoff return yardage.  Ty Montgomery averages over 31 yards per kickoff return and has had 2 TDs this year-this has been a brobdingnagian advantage for the team in regards to field position and grabbing momentum.

[Spartandawg]

Please enlighten me about your game with the Utah Utes, as I am having trouble comprehending the result of that game.  What went wrong?  I'm assuming something went terribly wrong. 

One thing to remember is that MSU has yet to lose a game on the field of competition, whereas Stanford has two losses.  I see no reason to take MSU's higher ranking as a sign of disrespect or an indication of one team being considered superior to the other. 

[Spartandawg]

Please enlighten me about your game with the Utah Utes, as I am having trouble comprehending the result of that game.  What went wrong?  I'm assuming something went terribly wrong. 

One thing to remember is that MSU has yet to lose a game on the field of competition, whereas Stanford has two losses.  I see no reason to take MSU's higher ranking as a sign of disrespect or an indication of one team being considered superior to the other. 

[DC]

Losing to the zebras doesn't count as a loss  ;D

[DC]

Losing to the zebras doesn't count as a loss  ;D

[Trevmiesterj]

Please enlighten me about your game with the Utah Utes, as I am having trouble comprehending the result of that game.  What went wrong?  I'm assuming something went terribly wrong. 

One thing to remember is that MSU has yet to lose a game on the field of competition, whereas Stanford has two losses.  I see no reason to take MSU's higher ranking as a sign of disrespect or an indication of one team being considered superior to the other.

I was at the game in Utah and while it's hard to verbalize specifically want went so "terribly" wrong, I would consider the Utes quality game plan and home field advantage (they have a great crowd), quizzical offensive strategy throughout the game by Shaw and his staff and effects of the physical battle versus Washington the week before all as factors.  I suspect they were one trick play away from winning both.

[Trevmiesterj]

Please enlighten me about your game with the Utah Utes, as I am having trouble comprehending the result of that game.  What went wrong?  I'm assuming something went terribly wrong. 

One thing to remember is that MSU has yet to lose a game on the field of competition, whereas Stanford has two losses.  I see no reason to take MSU's higher ranking as a sign of disrespect or an indication of one team being considered superior to the other.

I was at the game in Utah and while it's hard to verbalize specifically want went so "terribly" wrong, I would consider the Utes quality game plan and home field advantage (they have a great crowd), quizzical offensive strategy throughout the game by Shaw and his staff and effects of the physical battle versus Washington the week before all as factors.  I suspect they were one trick play away from winning both.

[dabigv13]

I think the elevation may have played a role as well...our players looked gassed. Luckily not an issue in Pasadena!

[dabigv13]

I think the elevation may have played a role as well...our players looked gassed. Luckily not an issue in Pasadena!

[TreeWeird]

I think the elevation may have played a role as well...our players looked gassed. Luckily not an issue in Pasadena!

Utes were a tougher team at home this year than their record would suggest.  ASU came close to losing to the Utes in SLC, pulling ahead by a point late in the fourth quarter.  OSU beat them in overtime.  Utes threw 6 interception against UCLA and UCLA still only pulled ahead for good half way into the fourth quarter. 

In our game, the Utes matched up well against our run game and Hogan was not sharp passing. 

[TreeWeird]

I think the elevation may have played a role as well...our players looked gassed. Luckily not an issue in Pasadena!

Utes were a tougher team at home this year than their record would suggest.  ASU came close to losing to the Utes in SLC, pulling ahead by a point late in the fourth quarter.  OSU beat them in overtime.  Utes threw 6 interception against UCLA and UCLA still only pulled ahead for good half way into the fourth quarter. 

In our game, the Utes matched up well against our run game and Hogan was not sharp passing. 

[Nan3cy]

Please enlighten me about your game with the Utah Utes, as I am having trouble comprehending the result of that game.  What went wrong?  I'm assuming something went terribly wrong. 

One thing to remember is that MSU has yet to lose a game on the field of competition, whereas Stanford has two losses.  I see no reason to take MSU's higher ranking as a sign of disrespect or an indication of one team being considered superior to the other.

One factor is that, at least according to Sagarin, MSU's strength of schedule is #56. Stanford's is #4.

[Nan3cy]

Please enlighten me about your game with the Utah Utes, as I am having trouble comprehending the result of that game.  What went wrong?  I'm assuming something went terribly wrong. 

One thing to remember is that MSU has yet to lose a game on the field of competition, whereas Stanford has two losses.  I see no reason to take MSU's higher ranking as a sign of disrespect or an indication of one team being considered superior to the other.

One factor is that, at least according to Sagarin, MSU's strength of schedule is #56. Stanford's is #4.

[socalstanfan1]

The thing that stood out for me in the Utah game was the inability of the defense to stope the Utes offense in the first half. We made adjustments in the second half and held them to only 6 points, but that first half was truly hard to fathom. The defense hasn't performed that badly for a full half before or since. They were caught off guard by USC for about a quarter when the Trojans switched up tendencies, and by Cal for the first drive when they did the same. But, really, with a month to prepare, I doubt they will be caught off guard by the Spartans.  Not saying that will guarantee a win or anything. It could be a defensive slugfest. But I would be shocked by a full implosion.

[socalstanfan1]

The thing that stood out for me in the Utah game was the inability of the defense to stope the Utes offense in the first half. We made adjustments in the second half and held them to only 6 points, but that first half was truly hard to fathom. The defense hasn't performed that badly for a full half before or since. They were caught off guard by USC for about a quarter when the Trojans switched up tendencies, and by Cal for the first drive when they did the same. But, really, with a month to prepare, I doubt they will be caught off guard by the Spartans.  Not saying that will guarantee a win or anything. It could be a defensive slugfest. But I would be shocked by a full implosion.

[fullmetal]

Please enlighten me about your game with the Utah Utes, as I am having trouble comprehending the result of that game.  What went wrong?  I'm assuming something went terribly wrong. 

One thing to remember is that MSU has yet to lose a game on the field of competition, whereas Stanford has two losses.  I see no reason to take MSU's higher ranking as a sign of disrespect or an indication of one team being considered superior to the other.

My personal, unsubstantiated opinion is that the loss was a bad confluence of several factors.  First, the altitude--no joke up there.  4,600+ feet can hit you a little hard when you're doing athletic things.  Secondly, there was some micro-holding on those screen passes Utah used to carve up our front seven.  They used their numbers well and showed some very impressive speed running that screen.  Good speed + microholding = lots of yardage on well-blocked screen plays.  Third, their then-QB Travis Wilson was a very good player.  He was lost for the season with a right hand injury the game after Stanford--Utah was 1-5 without him and 4-2 with him, for whatever that's worth.  Fourth, the refs made a few terrible calls, the most egregious of which was a non-call offensive PI that allowed a receiver to move a DB around to make a reception for a touchdown (51 yds).  Finally, some terrible offensive playcalling had two effects: one--we didn't score on our final possession, which led to the loss, and two, earlier in the game, our offensive woes led to a lot of short, futile drives, which meant our defense gassed out much more quickly.

[fullmetal]

Please enlighten me about your game with the Utah Utes, as I am having trouble comprehending the result of that game.  What went wrong?  I'm assuming something went terribly wrong. 

One thing to remember is that MSU has yet to lose a game on the field of competition, whereas Stanford has two losses.  I see no reason to take MSU's higher ranking as a sign of disrespect or an indication of one team being considered superior to the other.

My personal, unsubstantiated opinion is that the loss was a bad confluence of several factors.  First, the altitude--no joke up there.  4,600+ feet can hit you a little hard when you're doing athletic things.  Secondly, there was some micro-holding on those screen passes Utah used to carve up our front seven.  They used their numbers well and showed some very impressive speed running that screen.  Good speed + microholding = lots of yardage on well-blocked screen plays.  Third, their then-QB Travis Wilson was a very good player.  He was lost for the season with a right hand injury the game after Stanford--Utah was 1-5 without him and 4-2 with him, for whatever that's worth.  Fourth, the refs made a few terrible calls, the most egregious of which was a non-call offensive PI that allowed a receiver to move a DB around to make a reception for a touchdown (51 yds).  Finally, some terrible offensive playcalling had two effects: one--we didn't score on our final possession, which led to the loss, and two, earlier in the game, our offensive woes led to a lot of short, futile drives, which meant our defense gassed out much more quickly.