[Austroturf]

Did I just log on to the Bootleg?
Everybody trying to outdo one another with cynical, snarky comments.
Oh well, it has been that kind of year. Can't say I'm particularly surprised at the outcome of Big Game  given how the season has gone.

It's called gallows humor.

But frankly, the epithets ring true for how the defense has devolved from a once formidable unit that could keep Stanford in any game to one that can lose any game, particularly when the contest in on the line.  

In the 2019 season, Stanford ranks 95th (out of 130) in yards allowed per game (429) and 76th (out of 130) in points allowed per game.  Going back to the last year in which Stanford's D was truly solid (2014), the rankings were 5th (out of 130) in yards allowed per game (287) and 2nd (out of 130) in points allowed per game (16). 

Stanford's record in 2014 was "only" 8-5 (looks like a dream from today's perspective); but 3 of the 5 losses were by a FG (USC, Notre Dame and Utah in 2OT), so Stanford was in those games to the very end.  And that was largely the work of the defense.  The high number of losses in 2014 was mainly due to offensive ineptitude (until things started clicking toward the end of the season with improved play from Hogan and the O-line).

So, yes, a bit snarky today; but a modicum of sullen humor is needed this morning to alleviate the otherwise pervasive gloom.        

[Austroturf]

Did I just log on to the Bootleg?
Everybody trying to outdo one another with cynical, snarky comments.
Oh well, it has been that kind of year. Can't say I'm particularly surprised at the outcome of Big Game  given how the season has gone.

It's called gallows humor.

But frankly, the epithets ring true for how the defense has devolved from a once formidable unit that could keep Stanford in any game to one that can lose any game, particularly when the contest in on the line.  

In the 2019 season, Stanford ranks 95th (out of 130) in yards allowed per game (429) and 76th (out of 130) in points allowed per game.  Going back to the last year in which Stanford's D was truly solid (2014), the rankings were 5th (out of 130) in yards allowed per game (287) and 2nd (out of 130) in points allowed per game (16). 

Stanford's record in 2014 was "only" 8-5 (looks like a dream from today's perspective); but 3 of the 5 losses were by a FG (USC, Notre Dame and Utah in 2OT), so Stanford was in those games to the very end.  And that was largely the work of the defense.  The high number of losses in 2014 was mainly due to offensive ineptitude (until things started clicking toward the end of the season with improved play from Hogan and the O-line).

So, yes, a bit snarky today; but a modicum of sullen humor is needed this morning to alleviate the otherwise pervasive gloom.