[OutsiderFan]

All signs point to a different offense, at least scheme-wise in 2014:

1. Best WR depth in Shaw's Stanford coaching tenure
2. No big bruiser RB
3. Athletic OTs who offer great pass protection potential
4. Re-emergence of capable pass catching TEs
5. Kevin Hogan's concerted effort to improve mechanics for more short to medium range accuracy

It doesn't take a critical analysis of "conservative play calling" or even being the head coach to see what is going on.  Stanford's personnel lends itself to spreading the field more in 2014 than plaing in a phone booth.

This doesn't mean Stanford won't run.  What it means is Stanford will use fewer jumbo sets.  The two starting WRs are 220+ and are great blockers.  Owusu and Pratt are also big bodies who can block.  Plus, the TEs are dual threats, as in-line blockers and split out wide.  Defenses won't be able to anticipate run or pass by formation and personnel as much.  They will only be able to do it by tendency per down and distance, play calling history, and if someone on the offense does something to tip off run or pass, like an OL doing something different in his stance for a run vs. pass.

It will be interesting to see what the plan is on 3rd and 4th and one or less.  Will we see a bit wider line splits to create more space for smaller RB's?  Who is going to carry the ball in such situations?  This is the biggest question I have about the offense going into 2014.

The west coast offense is fine.  The only problem I have with it is it's complexity. It takes a long time to get players ready to play, both in terms of learning the plays, and the length of play calls that can result in delay of game penalties and wasted timeouts.  It's clear that the huddle is becoming a dinosaur in modern football because it is an impediment to expeditious play, and the premium is on limiting defensive substitutions, and tiring defenses mentally and physically.  Stanford seems to have limited the play calling length challenge a bit with the plays on wristbands, but it still takes a long time for players to learn the offense and get on the field.

All that said, it's more of an NFL offense, and from a recruiting standpoint, the opportunity to learn an NFL offense can pay dividends, particularly at the QB position.

[OutsiderFan]

All signs point to a different offense, at least scheme-wise in 2014:

1. Best WR depth in Shaw's Stanford coaching tenure
2. No big bruiser RB
3. Athletic OTs who offer great pass protection potential
4. Re-emergence of capable pass catching TEs
5. Kevin Hogan's concerted effort to improve mechanics for more short to medium range accuracy

It doesn't take a critical analysis of "conservative play calling" or even being the head coach to see what is going on.  Stanford's personnel lends itself to spreading the field more in 2014 than plaing in a phone booth.

This doesn't mean Stanford won't run.  What it means is Stanford will use fewer jumbo sets.  The two starting WRs are 220+ and are great blockers.  Owusu and Pratt are also big bodies who can block.  Plus, the TEs are dual threats, as in-line blockers and split out wide.  Defenses won't be able to anticipate run or pass by formation and personnel as much.  They will only be able to do it by tendency per down and distance, play calling history, and if someone on the offense does something to tip off run or pass, like an OL doing something different in his stance for a run vs. pass.

It will be interesting to see what the plan is on 3rd and 4th and one or less.  Will we see a bit wider line splits to create more space for smaller RB's?  Who is going to carry the ball in such situations?  This is the biggest question I have about the offense going into 2014.

The west coast offense is fine.  The only problem I have with it is it's complexity. It takes a long time to get players ready to play, both in terms of learning the plays, and the length of play calls that can result in delay of game penalties and wasted timeouts.  It's clear that the huddle is becoming a dinosaur in modern football because it is an impediment to expeditious play, and the premium is on limiting defensive substitutions, and tiring defenses mentally and physically.  Stanford seems to have limited the play calling length challenge a bit with the plays on wristbands, but it still takes a long time for players to learn the offense and get on the field.

All that said, it's more of an NFL offense, and from a recruiting standpoint, the opportunity to learn an NFL offense can pay dividends, particularly at the QB position.