[OutsiderFan]

They look much better under their new head coach.  Army put up over 40 points last week against a competent and better than FCS Buffalo squad. 

If Stanford had won it's last game, the team might be able to sort of mail it in against Army, but since it was a loss, and probably the worst one any Stanford player and coach has ever had, this becomes a bounce back game that requires a full effort.  The offense in particular must stop making mental errors, and be more efficient scoring points.  It would he nice to see David Shaw simplify things in scoring territory and demonstrate much greater unpredictability, even if Army is perhaps one of those teams you can line up nine OL and say "we're running it in this gap, try to stop us," and not be stopped.

This should be a game where avoiding DL injury and winning by one point is considered a victory, but avoiding DL injury and a 4 TD+ win would demonstrate the team has shaken off a brutal loss and signal the mistakes from last week are in the rear view mirror.

[OutsiderFan]

They look much better under their new head coach.  Army put up over 40 points last week against a competent and better than FCS Buffalo squad. 

If Stanford had won it's last game, the team might be able to sort of mail it in against Army, but since it was a loss, and probably the worst one any Stanford player and coach has ever had, this becomes a bounce back game that requires a full effort.  The offense in particular must stop making mental errors, and be more efficient scoring points.  It would he nice to see David Shaw simplify things in scoring territory and demonstrate much greater unpredictability, even if Army is perhaps one of those teams you can line up nine OL and say "we're running it in this gap, try to stop us," and not be stopped.

This should be a game where avoiding DL injury and winning by one point is considered a victory, but avoiding DL injury and a 4 TD+ win would demonstrate the team has shaken off a brutal loss and signal the mistakes from last week are in the rear view mirror.

[StanFan88]

I want to know what Shaw thinks are the biggest problems from Saturday and what his plan is to fix them.  Then I can move forward.

[StanFan88]

I want to know what Shaw thinks are the biggest problems from Saturday and what his plan is to fix them.  Then I can move forward.

[Stymie]

I'm not impressed by the arm action of our QB on the photo promoting the Army game on the Go Stanford website......

[Stymie]

I'm not impressed by the arm action of our QB on the photo promoting the Army game on the Go Stanford website......

[OutsiderFan]

I want to know what Shaw thinks are the biggest problems from Saturday and what his plan is to fix them.  Then I can move forward.

After watching the post-game presser, it's clear he believes he has to do a better job putting players in a position to be successful in the red zone.  Though he harps on execution as most coaches do, that is not the only variable he seems to be considering. 

Anyone have any thoughts on this Army team?

[OutsiderFan]

I want to know what Shaw thinks are the biggest problems from Saturday and what his plan is to fix them.  Then I can move forward.

After watching the post-game presser, it's clear he believes he has to do a better job putting players in a position to be successful in the red zone.  Though he harps on execution as most coaches do, that is not the only variable he seems to be considering. 

Anyone have any thoughts on this Army team?

[george]

I'm not impressed by the arm action of our QB on the photo promoting the Army game on the Go Stanford website......

Is this the photo you're talking about?

[george]

I'm not impressed by the arm action of our QB on the photo promoting the Army game on the Go Stanford website......

Is this the photo you're talking about?

[Stymie]

Yup.  The closer the arm action comes to the ear (think of how baseball catchers make throws to 2nd base steal attempts) the better the action.  Hogan is a decent slinger, but he's no Sonny Jurgensen or Sammy Baugh.....

[Stymie]

Yup.  The closer the arm action comes to the ear (think of how baseball catchers make throws to 2nd base steal attempts) the better the action.  Hogan is a decent slinger, but he's no Sonny Jurgensen or Sammy Baugh.....

[needle]

Army has three really good running backs: Larry Dixon (174 yds against Buffalo), Terry Baggett (96 yards against Stanford last year) and Raymond Maples, a guy who impressed me with his play in 2012 (1200 yds rushing, 5.4 ypc) and is coming back from injury that wiped away his 2013 season.

Their new coach, Jeff Monken, beat Florida at Florida last year as HC of Georgia Southern, something I kinda think he'll mention a few times to the team this week.

But Army gave up 6.72 yards per play last year in 2012 and 6.5 yards per play last year, worse than just a few FBS teams, and they gave up 39 points to Buffalo last week (6.95 yards per play). The mismatch should be Stanford's offense against Army's defense, but, yeah, we all know that things don't always go as they should.

[needle]

Army has three really good running backs: Larry Dixon (174 yds against Buffalo), Terry Baggett (96 yards against Stanford last year) and Raymond Maples, a guy who impressed me with his play in 2012 (1200 yds rushing, 5.4 ypc) and is coming back from injury that wiped away his 2013 season.

Their new coach, Jeff Monken, beat Florida at Florida last year as HC of Georgia Southern, something I kinda think he'll mention a few times to the team this week.

But Army gave up 6.72 yards per play last year in 2012 and 6.5 yards per play last year, worse than just a few FBS teams, and they gave up 39 points to Buffalo last week (6.95 yards per play). The mismatch should be Stanford's offense against Army's defense, but, yeah, we all know that things don't always go as they should.

[Trevmiesterj]

a 4 TD+ win would demonstrate the team has shaken off a brutal loss and signal the mistakes from last week are in the rear view mirror.

Stanford needs to beat the tread and the brakes off Army early.

Last years game had me concerned early because the Cards were such a heavy favorite.  Giving up close to 300  yards on the ground was especially agonizing.

[Trevmiesterj]

a 4 TD+ win would demonstrate the team has shaken off a brutal loss and signal the mistakes from last week are in the rear view mirror.

Stanford needs to beat the tread and the brakes off Army early.

Last years game had me concerned early because the Cards were such a heavy favorite.  Giving up close to 300  yards on the ground was especially agonizing.

[thunder_chik]

Thanks to our ugly loss on Saturday, some pundits are writing us off already.  I don't think the Army game will be a blowout, but I hope we win by 3+ TDs, like 31-10.

Regarding the Black Knights’ 47-39 victory over Buffalo contrasted with our loss to U$C last Saturday:
Red Zone scores – 4 for 4; we were 2 of 5
Scored in every quarter; we scored only in 2nd qtr
341 yards rushing; 128 for us
Larry Dixon 20 touches for 174 yds, 8.7 avg, no lost yards; Remound Wright, 11 for 60, 5.5 avg, no lost yards
Passing:  7 of 7 for 125 yards passing; 22 of 30 for 285
Total yards = 466; 413
First downs, 17; we had 21
Third down conversions – 5 of 11; 7 of 14
2 fumbles, 2 lost; 4 fumbles, 2 lost
12 penalties for 105 yds; 8 for 68
Punts – 3 for 114, avg 38; 2 for 54, avg 27
Obviously, we played a top 15 team, so this is not an apples-to-apples comparison.  We need to contain Dixon and shut down their running game a lot better than we did the Toejams’.

[thunder_chik]

Thanks to our ugly loss on Saturday, some pundits are writing us off already.  I don't think the Army game will be a blowout, but I hope we win by 3+ TDs, like 31-10.

Regarding the Black Knights’ 47-39 victory over Buffalo contrasted with our loss to U$C last Saturday:
Red Zone scores – 4 for 4; we were 2 of 5
Scored in every quarter; we scored only in 2nd qtr
341 yards rushing; 128 for us
Larry Dixon 20 touches for 174 yds, 8.7 avg, no lost yards; Remound Wright, 11 for 60, 5.5 avg, no lost yards
Passing:  7 of 7 for 125 yards passing; 22 of 30 for 285
Total yards = 466; 413
First downs, 17; we had 21
Third down conversions – 5 of 11; 7 of 14
2 fumbles, 2 lost; 4 fumbles, 2 lost
12 penalties for 105 yds; 8 for 68
Punts – 3 for 114, avg 38; 2 for 54, avg 27
Obviously, we played a top 15 team, so this is not an apples-to-apples comparison.  We need to contain Dixon and shut down their running game a lot better than we did the Toejams’.

[OutsiderFan]

Stanford's Army game plan on defense will be exactly opposite as it was against U$C.  Whereas it was to stop the pass last week, it will be to curtail the run this week.  I'm not at all concerned with the run defense last week.  Though it would have been nice to not give up a few big runs, generally speaking Stanford shut down the run most of the game. 

Holding Army to 150 or so yards or less has to be the objective.  It would be surprising to see Stanford do anything but play man-to-man coverage on the outside, and bring Richards up to have eight in the box most of the time.  They key is to be disciplined and play assignments.  Never try to do too much, because all it takes is one guy out of position for them to rip off a big run.

Stanford is favored by 28.  This game shouldn't be close if Stanford fancies itself a conference champion threat.

[OutsiderFan]

Stanford's Army game plan on defense will be exactly opposite as it was against U$C.  Whereas it was to stop the pass last week, it will be to curtail the run this week.  I'm not at all concerned with the run defense last week.  Though it would have been nice to not give up a few big runs, generally speaking Stanford shut down the run most of the game. 

Holding Army to 150 or so yards or less has to be the objective.  It would be surprising to see Stanford do anything but play man-to-man coverage on the outside, and bring Richards up to have eight in the box most of the time.  They key is to be disciplined and play assignments.  Never try to do too much, because all it takes is one guy out of position for them to rip off a big run.

Stanford is favored by 28.  This game shouldn't be close if Stanford fancies itself a conference champion threat.

[Extra Point]

Yup.  The closer the arm action comes to the ear (think of how baseball catchers make throws to 2nd base steal attempts) the better the action.  Hogan is a decent slinger, but he's no Sorry Jurgensen or Sammy Baugh.....

It reminds me of Luck's motion when he was throwing on the run. Hogan looks to be on the run in this photo as well.

[Extra Point]

Yup.  The closer the arm action comes to the ear (think of how baseball catchers make throws to 2nd base steal attempts) the better the action.  Hogan is a decent slinger, but he's no Sorry Jurgensen or Sammy Baugh.....

It reminds me of Luck's motion when he was throwing on the run. Hogan looks to be on the run in this photo as well.

[Stymie]

Doubt it, but just like you, I'm only guessing.

[Stymie]

Doubt it, but just like you, I'm only guessing.

[jacketree]

Army couldn't be much worse than they were last year, and in fact they appear to be much better on first viewing.  (I watched the first half of the Army-Buffalo game last Saturday before heading out to a Navy event of all things.)  Monken is a really good coach from the Paul Johnson triple option tree, the Cadets seem to have bought what he's selling, and were able to truly train as a football team over the summer as opposed to last year, due to changes at USMA.

When running on all cylinders, the triple option is a thing of beauty and the great equalizer on offense for Army.  They put up 47 points and  466 yards against the Bulls. (Buffalo is FBS btw in case there is any confusion. Turner Gill coached them a couple of years ago.) Army was up big in the fourth quarter but nearly collapsed, escaping with an 8 point win. The best way to stop the TO is to force the reads inside and have a bunch of big nasty linemen clogging everything up.  Ohio State did that at times to Navy, although Navy gouged them for 370 on the ground. Turnovers and one busted coverage killed the Mids.

Stanford shouldn't wait until the second half to get going on offense or they may find themselves in general freakoutery.  (Or if they wait, at least do something in the second half.)  I don't think scoring on Army will be a problem. Stanford should be able to physically dominate the Army DL. They won't out-tough them, but they should be able to get a brobdingnagian push off the ball and win with a mere 281 pages of the 300 page playbook.  If Stanford doesn't screw up on its own, they should be fine.

But holding Army to 150 yards rushing would be a major accomplishment. I don't see that happening. Last year Army ran for 284 and that was while playing catch-up late with Maples hurt for a significant part of the game.  Army will churn out first downs.  They will score. Will Stanford score more?

I think so, but I do not expect a blowout.

[jacketree]

Army couldn't be much worse than they were last year, and in fact they appear to be much better on first viewing.  (I watched the first half of the Army-Buffalo game last Saturday before heading out to a Navy event of all things.)  Monken is a really good coach from the Paul Johnson triple option tree, the Cadets seem to have bought what he's selling, and were able to truly train as a football team over the summer as opposed to last year, due to changes at USMA.

When running on all cylinders, the triple option is a thing of beauty and the great equalizer on offense for Army.  They put up 47 points and  466 yards against the Bulls. (Buffalo is FBS btw in case there is any confusion. Turner Gill coached them a couple of years ago.) Army was up big in the fourth quarter but nearly collapsed, escaping with an 8 point win. The best way to stop the TO is to force the reads inside and have a bunch of big nasty linemen clogging everything up.  Ohio State did that at times to Navy, although Navy gouged them for 370 on the ground. Turnovers and one busted coverage killed the Mids.

Stanford shouldn't wait until the second half to get going on offense or they may find themselves in general freakoutery.  (Or if they wait, at least do something in the second half.)  I don't think scoring on Army will be a problem. Stanford should be able to physically dominate the Army DL. They won't out-tough them, but they should be able to get a brobdingnagian push off the ball and win with a mere 281 pages of the 300 page playbook.  If Stanford doesn't screw up on its own, they should be fine.

But holding Army to 150 yards rushing would be a major accomplishment. I don't see that happening. Last year Army ran for 284 and that was while playing catch-up late with Maples hurt for a significant part of the game.  Army will churn out first downs.  They will score. Will Stanford score more?

I think so, but I do not expect a blowout.

[fullmetal]

Doubt it, but just like you, I'm only guessing.

The photo is from last year's Army game.  Hogan doesn't seem to be leaning forward (w.r.t. shoulders, towards cam) as much as he would seem to need if he were running hard.  But I think I've seen this enough stationary and on the move from him to think that this is just how he learned to throw.

[fullmetal]

Doubt it, but just like you, I'm only guessing.

The photo is from last year's Army game.  Hogan doesn't seem to be leaning forward (w.r.t. shoulders, towards cam) as much as he would seem to need if he were running hard.  But I think I've seen this enough stationary and on the move from him to think that this is just how he learned to throw.

[Bruce Wang]

I could not agree with OutsiderFan's title thread more.  Enough of the angst from Saturday.  Time to focus on the next opponent.

[Bruce Wang]

I could not agree with OutsiderFan's title thread more.  Enough of the angst from Saturday.  Time to focus on the next opponent.

[TrumpCard]

Things I would like to see:
(1) A win, any win, no matter the margin.
(2) No injuries.
(3) Non-garbage-time PT for the DLs outside the top 5 to see whether someone will emerge.
(4) Some non-garbage-time rotation of Whitfield into the mix at safety.
(5) Most of the meaningful carries go to Wright.
(6) More formations with 3 WRs, 2 TEs or 2 RBs and no fullback.  Get the best talent on the field.
(7) A QB taking every snap.

[TrumpCard]

Things I would like to see:
(1) A win, any win, no matter the margin.
(2) No injuries.
(3) Non-garbage-time PT for the DLs outside the top 5 to see whether someone will emerge.
(4) Some non-garbage-time rotation of Whitfield into the mix at safety.
(5) Most of the meaningful carries go to Wright.
(6) More formations with 3 WRs, 2 TEs or 2 RBs and no fullback.  Get the best talent on the field.
(7) A QB taking every snap.

[GoodGrief]

I would like to see:

1. All Barry J Sanders all the time
2. Christian McCaffrey the rest of the time.

[GoodGrief]

I would like to see:

1. All Barry J Sanders all the time
2. Christian McCaffrey the rest of the time.

[French Rage]

I would like to see:

1. All Barry J Sanders all the time
2. Christian McCaffrey the rest of the time.

1)  Barry J Sanders should be given access to a time machine
2)  Whenever Barry isn't on the field, all of the other players should stand around asking "Where's Barry?"

[French Rage]

I would like to see:

1. All Barry J Sanders all the time
2. Christian McCaffrey the rest of the time.

1)  Barry J Sanders should be given access to a time machine
2)  Whenever Barry isn't on the field, all of the other players should stand around asking "Where's Barry?"

[oman]

[oman]

[fullmetal]

1) Dominant win
1a) No injuries

No need to worry about tipping the playbook hand before conference play...

[fullmetal]

1) Dominant win
1a) No injuries

No need to worry about tipping the playbook hand before conference play...