[Farm93]

Stanford beat U.SC only 3 times from 1958 to 1990.  Since then, Stanford is 14-13 vs the Literature's Most Famous Losers. Stanford still has a long way to go to reach parity with those guys.

One's point of view is clearly relevant here.  Why pick 1958?  Why pick any year?

In Orange County I have been coaching youth soccer.  Now coach U12 and U14ers.  When I mention I am going to see a Stanford vs. USC football game a few things happen that I have a tough time accepting.  The biggest?

Usually, the kids declare, "Oh, Stanford always wins," or "Stanford will win again, for sure!"

Sounds crazy right?  Yet from their point of view Stanford has been THE football power in the Pac-12 over their lifetime.

That U14 concept matters because kids just a touch older are now experiencing the craziness of college recruiting.  If Stanford Football was recruiting 60 year-olds they might not believe Stanford has achieved parity with USC.  Stanford is recruiting 16 year-olds, and I will submit they would give us a very different perspective on the relative power of programs in the Pac-12 than your average 60 year-old USC alum.

[Farm93]

Stanford beat U.SC only 3 times from 1958 to 1990.  Since then, Stanford is 14-13 vs the Literature's Most Famous Losers. Stanford still has a long way to go to reach parity with those guys.

One's point of view is clearly relevant here.  Why pick 1958?  Why pick any year?

In Orange County I have been coaching youth soccer.  Now coach U12 and U14ers.  When I mention I am going to see a Stanford vs. USC football game a few things happen that I have a tough time accepting.  The biggest?

Usually, the kids declare, "Oh, Stanford always wins," or "Stanford will win again, for sure!"

Sounds crazy right?  Yet from their point of view Stanford has been THE football power in the Pac-12 over their lifetime.

That U14 concept matters because kids just a touch older are now experiencing the craziness of college recruiting.  If Stanford Football was recruiting 60 year-olds they might not believe Stanford has achieved parity with USC.  Stanford is recruiting 16 year-olds, and I will submit they would give us a very different perspective on the relative power of programs in the Pac-12 than your average 60 year-old USC alum.