[Goose]

A braver soul would just call it like it is and admit that Stanford does not have what it takes institutionally to be a football powerhouse, and that’s ok.  Focus on our strengths, which, do not lie on the gridiron.

BC

I agree with what BC is saying here. Stanford's main "strengths" never did lie on the gridiron. Just to be clear (and perhaps restating the obvious) the definition of "gridiron strength" has changed radically in the last 10 years. Stanford could compete under the much maligned "student-athlete" model. Stanford (written large) does not want to compete in a semi-pro (and not really "semi") league. IMO it isn't just inertia that keeps Stanford from dropping football. It is also a deeply-rooted hope that college football will realize the current model isn't what college football fans want. It is what the vendors of sports entertainment want. The hope is that if we hang in there there will be a comfortable place to "land" eventually that is more in tune with college and less beholden to ESPN et al. I have little hope that will happen anytime soon, if ever.

[Goose]

A braver soul would just call it like it is and admit that Stanford does not have what it takes institutionally to be a football powerhouse, and that’s ok.  Focus on our strengths, which, do not lie on the gridiron.

BC

I agree with what BC is saying here. Stanford's main "strengths" never did lie on the gridiron. Just to be clear (and perhaps restating the obvious) the definition of "gridiron strength" has changed radically in the last 10 years. Stanford could compete under the much maligned "student-athlete" model. Stanford (written large) does not want to compete in a semi-pro (and not really "semi") league. IMO it isn't just inertia that keeps Stanford from dropping football. It is also a deeply-rooted hope that college football will realize the current model isn't what college football fans want. It is what the vendors of sports entertainment want. The hope is that if we hang in there there will be a comfortable place to "land" eventually that is more in tune with college and less beholden to ESPN et al. I have little hope that will happen anytime soon, if ever.