[ADPATERSON]

Sure, all the cautions are well-grounded.  Astute analysis given prior shortcomings.
Here's another idea: since 2009, Stanford has largely EXCEEDED expectations. Some downticks, but more up.
WHAT IF:
1) Chryst is back; and Burns has had enough snaps to play backup while Costello matures.  Good enough.
2) We are not a WR school like WAST, Cal, U$C.  We create LB matchup problems using our 5star TEs + Irwin, JJAW, Stewart.
Shaw prefers a short ball control pass game to Spider 2-Y Banana Bomb.  Add Love circling out like McCaff:  Potent.
3) Presence of Sarell & Little motivates EVERYBODY.  Coaches were drooling about those two at HS All-Am game.  OLINE gels.
4) DL:  Phillips is ready and DW Perry and Mike Wiliams answer the bell.  Backups just keep folks fresh for Q4. Watch Ryan Johnson.
5) RB:  Speights runs like Royce Freeman.  Maybe Lund from Utah (6'1", 230) gets some reps.  Love runs outside the tackles.
Do a Czonka + Mercury Morris type backfield (1972 Dolphins) -- Thunderbolt and Lightning. 
6) Uber-pundit Phil Steele has our back-8 (LBs + DBs) as #3 in USA.  Add 5star Soph Curtis Robinson as a quick Nickel.
7) Kickers and STs step up, no dropoff. 

Concerns above noted.  What about upside surprises? 
My undergrad years were late 70s (Walsh One, Darrin Nelson), before Elway.  We have NEVER had a pipeline like this.
I submit that despite the grousing about conservative play calls, this is best coaching staff we have ever had, top to bottom.

[ADPATERSON]

Sure, all the cautions are well-grounded.  Astute analysis given prior shortcomings.
Here's another idea: since 2009, Stanford has largely EXCEEDED expectations. Some downticks, but more up.
WHAT IF:
1) Chryst is back; and Burns has had enough snaps to play backup while Costello matures.  Good enough.
2) We are not a WR school like WAST, Cal, U$C.  We create LB matchup problems using our 5star TEs + Irwin, JJAW, Stewart.
Shaw prefers a short ball control pass game to Spider 2-Y Banana Bomb.  Add Love circling out like McCaff:  Potent.
3) Presence of Sarell & Little motivates EVERYBODY.  Coaches were drooling about those two at HS All-Am game.  OLINE gels.
4) DL:  Phillips is ready and DW Perry and Mike Wiliams answer the bell.  Backups just keep folks fresh for Q4. Watch Ryan Johnson.
5) RB:  Speights runs like Royce Freeman.  Maybe Lund from Utah (6'1", 230) gets some reps.  Love runs outside the tackles.
Do a Czonka + Mercury Morris type backfield (1972 Dolphins) -- Thunderbolt and Lightning. 
6) Uber-pundit Phil Steele has our back-8 (LBs + DBs) as #3 in USA.  Add 5star Soph Curtis Robinson as a quick Nickel.
7) Kickers and STs step up, no dropoff. 

Concerns above noted.  What about upside surprises? 
My undergrad years were late 70s (Walsh One, Darrin Nelson), before Elway.  We have NEVER had a pipeline like this.
I submit that despite the grousing about conservative play calls, this is best coaching staff we have ever had, top to bottom.