08-07-2018, 12:50 PM
For what little it's worth, SI has us at #12.
The write-up, however, leaves a lot to be desired. Not what I would've expected from them.
(Had he had enough attempts, Costello's "just 8.6" ypa would have ranked him at #13, right behind Sam Darnold's 8.63.)
ypa rankings: https://www.ncaa.com/stats/football/fbs/...vidual/908
12. Stanford Cardinal
Last year: 9–5 (7–2 Pac-12); Lost to TCU in Alamo Bowl
SI Top 100 players: Two: RB Bryce Love (No. 2), OL Nate Herbig (No. 88)
X-Factor: You need more than Love, it turns out. Stanford’s star running back rewrote the school record book in 2017, rushing for 2,118 yards, but the Cardinal offense still sputtered behind quarterback K.J. Costello, who averaged just 8.6 yards per attempt. The junior showed potential in what was his first season as a starter, leading the team to an upset win over Washington and a victory over Notre Dame, but he completed barely 50% of his passes in losses to USC and TCU. With the team’s top four receivers and four All–Pac-12 linemen returning this season, Costello should improve his efficiency to keep opponents guessing—and get the most of Love’s labors. — Ross Dellenger
https://www.si.com/college-football/2018...on-alabama
The write-up, however, leaves a lot to be desired. Not what I would've expected from them.
(Had he had enough attempts, Costello's "just 8.6" ypa would have ranked him at #13, right behind Sam Darnold's 8.63.)
ypa rankings: https://www.ncaa.com/stats/football/fbs/...vidual/908
12. Stanford Cardinal
Last year: 9–5 (7–2 Pac-12); Lost to TCU in Alamo Bowl
SI Top 100 players: Two: RB Bryce Love (No. 2), OL Nate Herbig (No. 88)
X-Factor: You need more than Love, it turns out. Stanford’s star running back rewrote the school record book in 2017, rushing for 2,118 yards, but the Cardinal offense still sputtered behind quarterback K.J. Costello, who averaged just 8.6 yards per attempt. The junior showed potential in what was his first season as a starter, leading the team to an upset win over Washington and a victory over Notre Dame, but he completed barely 50% of his passes in losses to USC and TCU. With the team’s top four receivers and four All–Pac-12 linemen returning this season, Costello should improve his efficiency to keep opponents guessing—and get the most of Love’s labors. — Ross Dellenger
https://www.si.com/college-football/2018...on-alabama