[OutsiderFan]

Me too, and trust me, there is a contingent of California fans who do NOT want Stanford to lose this weekend.  It will basically save Tedford's job, and that is an extremely unpleasant thought.

I don't put much stock in the hangover from ND loss.  It's Big Game.  Both teams will be cranked up.  There are much more fundamental issues at play.

Stanford's front seven will dominate Cal, more than it dominated USC, UW, and ND.  But just like with UW and ND, Cal has big-time play makers with the ability to score from long range, in Allen and Bigelow.  California can be stopped all game long, but all it takes is one or two big plays and Stanford can lose.  Stanford, OTOH needs long drives and must convert multiple 3rd downs to maintain possession and put together scoring drives, something it doesn't do well, and hasn't done once this year in two road games.

The problem for Stanford is California's front seven is pretty good, and they have two really good CBs who will easily shut down Stanford's WRs in man coverage.  Just like UW and ND, California will stop Stanford's run and challenge Stanford to beat them passing the ball.  The only way it is possible for Stanford to win this game is if Nunes plays way better.  David Shaw seems not to have seen enough to conclude Nunes can't do it.  I have, but hope to be proven wrong.

In any case, no matter who wins, this game is going to be horrifically ugly.  I wouldn't be surprised to see 20 punts. 

[OutsiderFan]

Me too, and trust me, there is a contingent of California fans who do NOT want Stanford to lose this weekend.  It will basically save Tedford's job, and that is an extremely unpleasant thought.

I don't put much stock in the hangover from ND loss.  It's Big Game.  Both teams will be cranked up.  There are much more fundamental issues at play.

Stanford's front seven will dominate Cal, more than it dominated USC, UW, and ND.  But just like with UW and ND, Cal has big-time play makers with the ability to score from long range, in Allen and Bigelow.  California can be stopped all game long, but all it takes is one or two big plays and Stanford can lose.  Stanford, OTOH needs long drives and must convert multiple 3rd downs to maintain possession and put together scoring drives, something it doesn't do well, and hasn't done once this year in two road games.

The problem for Stanford is California's front seven is pretty good, and they have two really good CBs who will easily shut down Stanford's WRs in man coverage.  Just like UW and ND, California will stop Stanford's run and challenge Stanford to beat them passing the ball.  The only way it is possible for Stanford to win this game is if Nunes plays way better.  David Shaw seems not to have seen enough to conclude Nunes can't do it.  I have, but hope to be proven wrong.

In any case, no matter who wins, this game is going to be horrifically ugly.  I wouldn't be surprised to see 20 punts.