[CornFed]

[quote author=Boston Card link=topic=15717.msg172193#msg172193 date=1474475760]
OK, I'll say it.  Right now, Stanford is the Pac-12's flagship program.

BC

Absolutely, and you are right to say it.

Setting aside the obvious objective facts as to why Stanford is currently the Pac-12's flagship program, I believe that the subjective perception nationally has caught up as well.

When Under Stanford Control (again) was on its remarkable winning streak there was an aura around the program - Pete Carroll's charisma, the celebrities at practice, etc.

When Oregon was dominating the conference there was an aura around Chip Kelly's innovative offense, the flashy uniforms, etc.

Now we are seeing Stanford constantly featured in national publications and segments. Luck and McCaffrey are household names for football fans. David Shaw works as an analyst on NFL Network and is constantly linked to NFL and elite college jobs. High profile recruits nationally are tweeting our catchy slogans such as "Fear The Tree", "Nerd Nation" and "Intellectual Brutality". It is intangible but it very much seems as if Stanford is the school that the rest of country thinks of first right now when west coast football comes to mind.
[/quote]

Yes, I believe these descriptions are all spot on.  All I can say, as a fan since 1970, is:  WOW!!!

[CornFed]

[quote author=Boston Card link=topic=15717.msg172193#msg172193 date=1474475760]
OK, I'll say it.  Right now, Stanford is the Pac-12's flagship program.

BC

Absolutely, and you are right to say it.

Setting aside the obvious objective facts as to why Stanford is currently the Pac-12's flagship program, I believe that the subjective perception nationally has caught up as well.

When Under Stanford Control (again) was on its remarkable winning streak there was an aura around the program - Pete Carroll's charisma, the celebrities at practice, etc.

When Oregon was dominating the conference there was an aura around Chip Kelly's innovative offense, the flashy uniforms, etc.

Now we are seeing Stanford constantly featured in national publications and segments. Luck and McCaffrey are household names for football fans. David Shaw works as an analyst on NFL Network and is constantly linked to NFL and elite college jobs. High profile recruits nationally are tweeting our catchy slogans such as "Fear The Tree", "Nerd Nation" and "Intellectual Brutality". It is intangible but it very much seems as if Stanford is the school that the rest of country thinks of first right now when west coast football comes to mind.
[/quote]

Yes, I believe these descriptions are all spot on.  All I can say, as a fan since 1970, is:  WOW!!!