[CTcard]

He is so honest (sometimes to a fault).  He tells the truth and if Aztec fans don't like it, so be it.  I love his interviews...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Q_cRt60...e=youtu.be

Is there something in that interview that Aztec fans don't like?
I listened to about the first 5 minutes and it sounds all-rosy to me.

[CTcard]

He is so honest (sometimes to a fault).  He tells the truth and if Aztec fans don't like it, so be it.  I love his interviews...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Q_cRt60...e=youtu.be

Is there something in that interview that Aztec fans don't like?
I listened to about the first 5 minutes and it sounds all-rosy to me.

[Snorlax94]

He is so honest (sometimes to a fault).  He tells the truth and if Aztec fans don't like it, so be it.  I love his interviews...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Q_cRt60...e=youtu.be

Is there something in that interview that Aztec fans don't like?
I listened to about the first 5 minutes and it sounds all-rosy to me.

I watched almost the whole thing, and I’d say while he opened quite happy and light spirited, coming off as very optimistic about the season and about pursuing a conference championship, he becomes sober talking about Bryce Love returning, and he does tell it the way it is when he talks about the resource differences between Power 5 and non-Power 5 programs, which may be news to some fans who don’t follow the money game.

The part I most disagreed with was around the 16 minute mark when he talks about how student athletes should not be able to transfer if the coach leaves, because, like a coach, student athletes have signed a contract and should have to fulfill that contract. He compares coaches to students, and says that coaches have to pay a price for breaking a contract (multi-million dollar buyouts), and players should have to pay a price (sit a year) if they break theirs. I don’t think that is a proper comparison. Coaches are paid, often millions of dollars. Coaches’ new employers can buy out their contracts, players usually cannot. But sheesh, these are student athletes, and they should have the opportunity to get the education and development that is best for them. I agree with some transfer limitations, otherwise i fear some programs will bring in kids just to gain access to an opponent’s playbook, but I don’t think contracts and lawyers should be forcing student athletes to be someplace they don’t want to be.

[Snorlax94]

He is so honest (sometimes to a fault).  He tells the truth and if Aztec fans don't like it, so be it.  I love his interviews...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Q_cRt60...e=youtu.be

Is there something in that interview that Aztec fans don't like?
I listened to about the first 5 minutes and it sounds all-rosy to me.

I watched almost the whole thing, and I’d say while he opened quite happy and light spirited, coming off as very optimistic about the season and about pursuing a conference championship, he becomes sober talking about Bryce Love returning, and he does tell it the way it is when he talks about the resource differences between Power 5 and non-Power 5 programs, which may be news to some fans who don’t follow the money game.

The part I most disagreed with was around the 16 minute mark when he talks about how student athletes should not be able to transfer if the coach leaves, because, like a coach, student athletes have signed a contract and should have to fulfill that contract. He compares coaches to students, and says that coaches have to pay a price for breaking a contract (multi-million dollar buyouts), and players should have to pay a price (sit a year) if they break theirs. I don’t think that is a proper comparison. Coaches are paid, often millions of dollars. Coaches’ new employers can buy out their contracts, players usually cannot. But sheesh, these are student athletes, and they should have the opportunity to get the education and development that is best for them. I agree with some transfer limitations, otherwise i fear some programs will bring in kids just to gain access to an opponent’s playbook, but I don’t think contracts and lawyers should be forcing student athletes to be someplace they don’t want to be.

[SteveAztec]

He is so honest (sometimes to a fault).  He tells the truth and if Aztec fans don't like it, so be it.  I love his interviews...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Q_cRt60...e=youtu.be

Is there something in that interview that Aztec fans don't like?
I listened to about the first 5 minutes and it sounds all-rosy to me.

Not so much in that interview, but we do have an odd fan base, although very passionate.  

Our fan base seems to be real old (like me) or very young.  Nothing in the middle.  So the young don't like Rocky's Old School approach.  They see him as past his prime.  They want to see dancing in the end zone (even if we get a penatly), taunting, etc...The old geezer fan (like me) grew up in the era of Don Coryell.  He became a legendary coach in San Diego by throwing the ball.  We rarely throw any more and that pisses off the older crowd who long for the days of Brian Sipe, Craig Penrose, Don Horn, Dennis Shaw, Todd Santos etc.

I swear some of our older fans would rather see us throw the ball 45 times a game and LOSE 52-51...Than throw the ball 15 a game and win 17-14.

---

He is so honest (sometimes to a fault).  He tells the truth and if Aztec fans don't like it, so be it.  I love his interviews...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Q_cRt60...e=youtu.be

Is there something in that interview that Aztec fans don't like?
I listened to about the first 5 minutes and it sounds all-rosy to me.

Hey CTcard...I just watched the interview again to see if Rocky said anything that Aztec fans probably didn't like.  And yes there were a couple.

1.  Rocky talked early about the QB getting more credit and compared him to the Aztec greats of the past by saying if he wins one more game he becomes the QB with the most wins in Aztec history.  He is sort of calling out the older fans  ( and some young) that keep asking why we can't get a great QB during recruiting.

2.  He hit a hot button with many Aztec fans when he talked about his expectation level going into the season.  His comments that we want to be "one" of the best teams in the league and "challenge" for the MWC title, and go to a Bowl.  The fans want to hear...I expect this team to go undefeated and to a major bowl and win the bowl game.

3.  He calls pre season "opportunity games".  Games of which you get your players ready for conf.  You want to win, but he approaches these different.  Maybe by playing more players, working on certain aspects of the game, where later in the season he won't.  The fans want to hear...Pre Season games are just as important as Conf. games.  We expect to win all of our Non Conf. games.

Most Aztec fans really like Rocky Long, but he does have his doubters.  (Which I find strange for a guy who has taken us to a Bowl Game every year as head Coach and we only had 2 D1 Bowl Games in the previous 35 years)

[SteveAztec]

He is so honest (sometimes to a fault).  He tells the truth and if Aztec fans don't like it, so be it.  I love his interviews...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Q_cRt60...e=youtu.be

Is there something in that interview that Aztec fans don't like?
I listened to about the first 5 minutes and it sounds all-rosy to me.

Not so much in that interview, but we do have an odd fan base, although very passionate.  

Our fan base seems to be real old (like me) or very young.  Nothing in the middle.  So the young don't like Rocky's Old School approach.  They see him as past his prime.  They want to see dancing in the end zone (even if we get a penatly), taunting, etc...The old geezer fan (like me) grew up in the era of Don Coryell.  He became a legendary coach in San Diego by throwing the ball.  We rarely throw any more and that pisses off the older crowd who long for the days of Brian Sipe, Craig Penrose, Don Horn, Dennis Shaw, Todd Santos etc.

I swear some of our older fans would rather see us throw the ball 45 times a game and LOSE 52-51...Than throw the ball 15 a game and win 17-14.

---

He is so honest (sometimes to a fault).  He tells the truth and if Aztec fans don't like it, so be it.  I love his interviews...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Q_cRt60...e=youtu.be

Is there something in that interview that Aztec fans don't like?
I listened to about the first 5 minutes and it sounds all-rosy to me.

Hey CTcard...I just watched the interview again to see if Rocky said anything that Aztec fans probably didn't like.  And yes there were a couple.

1.  Rocky talked early about the QB getting more credit and compared him to the Aztec greats of the past by saying if he wins one more game he becomes the QB with the most wins in Aztec history.  He is sort of calling out the older fans  ( and some young) that keep asking why we can't get a great QB during recruiting.

2.  He hit a hot button with many Aztec fans when he talked about his expectation level going into the season.  His comments that we want to be "one" of the best teams in the league and "challenge" for the MWC title, and go to a Bowl.  The fans want to hear...I expect this team to go undefeated and to a major bowl and win the bowl game.

3.  He calls pre season "opportunity games".  Games of which you get your players ready for conf.  You want to win, but he approaches these different.  Maybe by playing more players, working on certain aspects of the game, where later in the season he won't.  The fans want to hear...Pre Season games are just as important as Conf. games.  We expect to win all of our Non Conf. games.

Most Aztec fans really like Rocky Long, but he does have his doubters.  (Which I find strange for a guy who has taken us to a Bowl Game every year as head Coach and we only had 2 D1 Bowl Games in the previous 35 years)

[BostonCard]

Most Aztec fans really like Rocky Long, but he does have his doubters.  (Which I find strange for a guy who has taken us to a Bowl Game every year as head Coach and we only had 2 D1 Bowl Games in the previous 35 years)

Change "Aztec" with "Cardinal" and "Rocky Long" with "David Shaw" and the quote is perfectly at home on this board (with some details on the number of bowls being a touch different).

BC

[BostonCard]

Most Aztec fans really like Rocky Long, but he does have his doubters.  (Which I find strange for a guy who has taken us to a Bowl Game every year as head Coach and we only had 2 D1 Bowl Games in the previous 35 years)

Change "Aztec" with "Cardinal" and "Rocky Long" with "David Shaw" and the quote is perfectly at home on this board (with some details on the number of bowls being a touch different).

BC

[SamuelMcF]

Most Aztec fans really like Rocky Long, but he does have his doubters.  (Which I find strange for a guy who has taken us to a Bowl Game every year as head Coach and we only had 2 D1 Bowl Games in the previous 35 years)

Change "Aztec" with "Cardinal" and "Rocky Long" with "David Shaw" and the quote is perfectly at home on this board (with some details on the number of bowls being a touch different).

BC

+10000000. Where's the "this team will never win a natty" kid?

[SamuelMcF]

Most Aztec fans really like Rocky Long, but he does have his doubters.  (Which I find strange for a guy who has taken us to a Bowl Game every year as head Coach and we only had 2 D1 Bowl Games in the previous 35 years)

Change "Aztec" with "Cardinal" and "Rocky Long" with "David Shaw" and the quote is perfectly at home on this board (with some details on the number of bowls being a touch different).

BC

+10000000. Where's the "this team will never win a natty" kid?

[SteveAztec]

Most Aztec fans really like Rocky Long, but he does have his doubters.  (Which I find strange for a guy who has taken us to a Bowl Game every year as head Coach and we only had 2 D1 Bowl Games in the previous 35 years)

Change "Aztec" with "Cardinal" and "Rocky Long" with "David Shaw" and the quote is perfectly at home on this board (with some details on the number of bowls being a touch different).

BC

Oh how true this is with all fan bases.

[SteveAztec]

Most Aztec fans really like Rocky Long, but he does have his doubters.  (Which I find strange for a guy who has taken us to a Bowl Game every year as head Coach and we only had 2 D1 Bowl Games in the previous 35 years)

Change "Aztec" with "Cardinal" and "Rocky Long" with "David Shaw" and the quote is perfectly at home on this board (with some details on the number of bowls being a touch different).

BC

Oh how true this is with all fan bases.

[TinderForMidgets]

Even so, I would rank the SDSU loss 4th on the list of most painful last season:
1. USC conference championship game
2. Alamo Bowl
3. WSU
4. SDSU
one of the 4 Noble Truths - to be a Stanford football fan is to know suffering

SDSU is first, easily. Here's why I reconcile the others.

1. 6 days rest, USC had a bye week, Bryce still not 100%
2. I wrote the game off as soon as Justin Reid got hurt. And before that, half the defense was already made up of second stringers.
3. Alex Grinch had our number (and I honestly thought Falk was gonna carve our defense up like a turkey)

SDSU was like a damn train wreck in slow motion as you watch Keller throw dirt ball and almost picks after dirt ball and almost picks. We were the better team easily by a lot. In the other games, you can at least understand that entire parts of our team fell apart. In the SDSU, it was all on Keller.

[TinderForMidgets]

Even so, I would rank the SDSU loss 4th on the list of most painful last season:
1. USC conference championship game
2. Alamo Bowl
3. WSU
4. SDSU
one of the 4 Noble Truths - to be a Stanford football fan is to know suffering

SDSU is first, easily. Here's why I reconcile the others.

1. 6 days rest, USC had a bye week, Bryce still not 100%
2. I wrote the game off as soon as Justin Reid got hurt. And before that, half the defense was already made up of second stringers.
3. Alex Grinch had our number (and I honestly thought Falk was gonna carve our defense up like a turkey)

SDSU was like a damn train wreck in slow motion as you watch Keller throw dirt ball and almost picks after dirt ball and almost picks. We were the better team easily by a lot. In the other games, you can at least understand that entire parts of our team fell apart. In the SDSU, it was all on Keller.

[Goose]

SDSU was like a damn train wreck in slow motion as you watch Keller throw dirt ball and almost picks after dirt ball and almost picks.

Great Description!

We were the better team easily by a lot. In the other games, you can at least understand that entire parts of our team fell apart. In the SDSU, it was all on Keller.

If Chryst hadn't played so badly, it would have been lots easier. That said, nobody else exactly stepped up either. BL gets a pass because he got so few attempts. The OL was not good. If we are the better team, and all the defense needs to win the game is one last stop, they have to do it. They didn't. So, that night, we weren't the better team.

[Goose]

SDSU was like a damn train wreck in slow motion as you watch Keller throw dirt ball and almost picks after dirt ball and almost picks.

Great Description!

We were the better team easily by a lot. In the other games, you can at least understand that entire parts of our team fell apart. In the SDSU, it was all on Keller.

If Chryst hadn't played so badly, it would have been lots easier. That said, nobody else exactly stepped up either. BL gets a pass because he got so few attempts. The OL was not good. If we are the better team, and all the defense needs to win the game is one last stop, they have to do it. They didn't. So, that night, we weren't the better team.

[SteveAztec]

An interview with Rocky Long yesterday.  This one is similar to the last one I posted but a few new comments...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ta2cmSg6...e=youtu.be

[SteveAztec]

An interview with Rocky Long yesterday.  This one is similar to the last one I posted but a few new comments...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ta2cmSg6...e=youtu.be

[SteveAztec]

I hear the Aztecs are 15 point dogs.

[SteveAztec]

I hear the Aztecs are 15 point dogs.

[ChicagoCard]

I wish all forum visitors from competitors were as mellow as SteveAztec.

[ChicagoCard]

I wish all forum visitors from competitors were as mellow as SteveAztec.

[qwerty49]

I hear the Aztecs are 15 point dogs.

That’s a very interesting point spread, not necessarily predictive, of course, but sure to attract action on both sides, which is the real objective.

I can see either team overperforming or underperforming against that betting line.

I hate betting on Stanford to cover. In the bad old days, we were nearly always the dog, so it was rarely a source of stress, LOL.

I’m in the camp that says Shaw keeps it vanilla, and that if we get ahead by more than two scores, substitutes liberally, not running up the score. But that presumes a lot of things, and we sure do have some recent bad examples of opening the season with a clunker. 15 is a tough spread to handicap.

[qwerty49]

I hear the Aztecs are 15 point dogs.

That’s a very interesting point spread, not necessarily predictive, of course, but sure to attract action on both sides, which is the real objective.

I can see either team overperforming or underperforming against that betting line.

I hate betting on Stanford to cover. In the bad old days, we were nearly always the dog, so it was rarely a source of stress, LOL.

I’m in the camp that says Shaw keeps it vanilla, and that if we get ahead by more than two scores, substitutes liberally, not running up the score. But that presumes a lot of things, and we sure do have some recent bad examples of opening the season with a clunker. 15 is a tough spread to handicap.

[CTcard]

I’m in the camp that says Shaw keeps it vanilla, and that if we get ahead by more than two scores, substitutes liberally, not running up the score. But that presumes a lot of things, and we sure do have some recent bad examples of opening the season with a clunker.  15 is a tough spread to handicap.

I agree that Shaw will not likely try to run up a big score and that we be likely to sit on a fourth quarter two TD lead. I also don't think SDSU is weak enough that we'd run up a big score with all backups. 

As to opening clunkers, I think there were really only 1.5 of those in the past decade:
2015 vs Northwestern (burned into our collective memory)
2012 vs SJSU (only counts for a half because we won the game, but it was a closer than it should have been 20-17 win featuring the emergence of our QB issues)

There were other early season clunkers (notably last year vs SDSU), but those are also sprinkled around mid and late season as well.

[CTcard]

I’m in the camp that says Shaw keeps it vanilla, and that if we get ahead by more than two scores, substitutes liberally, not running up the score. But that presumes a lot of things, and we sure do have some recent bad examples of opening the season with a clunker.  15 is a tough spread to handicap.

I agree that Shaw will not likely try to run up a big score and that we be likely to sit on a fourth quarter two TD lead. I also don't think SDSU is weak enough that we'd run up a big score with all backups. 

As to opening clunkers, I think there were really only 1.5 of those in the past decade:
2015 vs Northwestern (burned into our collective memory)
2012 vs SJSU (only counts for a half because we won the game, but it was a closer than it should have been 20-17 win featuring the emergence of our QB issues)

There were other early season clunkers (notably last year vs SDSU), but those are also sprinkled around mid and late season as well.

[Spiny_Norman]

For completeness, here are the game 1 results in the D. Shaw Era:
2011 - San Jose State 57-3
2012 - San Jose State 20-17
2013 - San Jose State 34-13
2014 - UC Davis 45-0
2015 - @Northwestern 6-16
2016 - Kansas State 26-13
2017 - Rice 62-7 (neutral field)

It was also interesting to see Stanford's pre-season rating:
2011 - 7
2012 - 21
2013 - 5
2014 - 11
2015 - 21
2016 - 8
2017- 14
2018 - 13

[Spiny_Norman]

For completeness, here are the game 1 results in the D. Shaw Era:
2011 - San Jose State 57-3
2012 - San Jose State 20-17
2013 - San Jose State 34-13
2014 - UC Davis 45-0
2015 - @Northwestern 6-16
2016 - Kansas State 26-13
2017 - Rice 62-7 (neutral field)

It was also interesting to see Stanford's pre-season rating:
2011 - 7
2012 - 21
2013 - 5
2014 - 11
2015 - 21
2016 - 8
2017- 14
2018 - 13

[stupac2]

For completeness, here are the game 1 results in the D. Shaw Era:
2011 - San Jose State 57-3
2012 - San Jose State 20-17
2013 - San Jose State 34-13
2014 - UC Davis 45-0
2015 - @Northwestern 6-16
2016 - Kansas State 26-13
2017 - Rice 62-7 (neutral field)

It was also interesting to see Stanford's pre-season rating:
2011 - 7
2012 - 21
2013 - 5
2014 - 11
2015 - 21
2016 - 8
2017- 14
2018 - 13

Worth pointing out that both of the close games on that list ended up being against surprisingly good teams, IIRC Northwestern and 2012 SJSU were 10-2 at the end of the year.

[stupac2]

For completeness, here are the game 1 results in the D. Shaw Era:
2011 - San Jose State 57-3
2012 - San Jose State 20-17
2013 - San Jose State 34-13
2014 - UC Davis 45-0
2015 - @Northwestern 6-16
2016 - Kansas State 26-13
2017 - Rice 62-7 (neutral field)

It was also interesting to see Stanford's pre-season rating:
2011 - 7
2012 - 21
2013 - 5
2014 - 11
2015 - 21
2016 - 8
2017- 14
2018 - 13

Worth pointing out that both of the close games on that list ended up being against surprisingly good teams, IIRC Northwestern and 2012 SJSU were 10-2 at the end of the year.

[SteveAztec]

SteveAztec,

Getting back to your visit to campus for game day, long-time CardBoarder Terry has a standard set of recommendations that he offers to visiting fans. I have copied here and updated for recent campus activity.

If you get to Palo Alto early and you're looking for a place to hang out, you might try the Old Pro, a sports bar in downtown Palo Alto. It probably will be crowded. The address is 541 Ramona St., Palo Alto -- http://www.oldpropa.com/

If you haven't been to Stanford before, I would suggest entering campus by way of University Avenue. It takes you through downtown Palo Alto and into the campus. The name of the street changes from University Ave. to Palm Drive as you cross over El Camino Real. That gives you the "picture postcard" view of the campus as you enter.

Regarding game-day activities -- If you've never been to the Stanford campus, I would advise that you spend some time walking around the central campus area. It's possible to come to a football game, park, tailgate, and leave without ever seeing the central campus. I think that would be a mistake. Some spots to see on campus:

- The Quad. This is the academic heart of the campus. Spend some time wandering around. You will want to go into Memorial Church. Check out Memorial Court, which is at the main entrance to the Quad. Just outside the main entrance to the Quad is the Oval, a large grassy area that often is the site of frisbee, sunbathing, picnics, or whatever. The Quad is near the middle of this map -- https://campus-map.stanford.edu/

- White Plaza. This the crossroads of the campus and there's usually a lot of activity. The Bookstore has Stanford clothing and souvenirs. You can get something to eat at the Tresidder Union. Look in the bottom center part of the map.

- The Rodin Sculpture Garden at the Museum. (The Museum is formally known as the Cantor Center.) I think admission to the Museum is free if you want to go inside, but you don't have to enter the Museum to see the Rodin Garden. Part of the Cantor Arts Center.

- Hoover Tower. You won't have a problem finding it. Just look up. If the tower is open, you may want to ride up and see the campus from above.

- The Stanford Athletics Home of Champions in the Arrillaga Family Sports Center, 641 E. Campus Drive. This is the new hall of fame space which opened a year ago. Free admission. Lots of interactive displays. Lots of trophies too.

Two hours before kickoff, the Stanford team will walk from its locker room at Arrillaga Family Sports Center to the stadium. The Walk is a long-standing tradition. Fans will stand along the route and applaud the team as it walks past. The best place to see the Walk is in Chuck Taylor Grove, along Sam McDonald Mall. The Band plays in Chuck Taylor Grove immediately before the Walk.

While you're in Chuck Taylor Grove, take a look for the plaques honoring college football Hall of Famers Chuck Taylor (a Stanford player, coach, and athletic director) and Pop Warner (Stanford's winningest coach ever).

The Stanford "Fan Fest" is in the hammer throw area of Angell Field, on the opposite side of Sam McDonald Mall from Chuck Taylor Grove. You can get something to eat at the Fan Fest. https://gostanford.com/sports/2013/4/17/208445471.aspx

Hey...Thank you for the information.  We walked around a little and what a beautiful campus and a beautiful town Palo Alto is.

We also made it to Fan Fest.  Very active and fun.  I appreciate the info and I enjoyed it all.

---

I wish all forum visitors from competitors were as mellow as SteveAztec.

Ha...Thank you Card.

I am mellow most of the time.  I would say about 99% of my life.  Live life every day and have fun.  Its all about respecting each other.  I was so impressed with all I saw in Palo Alto.

[SteveAztec]

SteveAztec,

Getting back to your visit to campus for game day, long-time CardBoarder Terry has a standard set of recommendations that he offers to visiting fans. I have copied here and updated for recent campus activity.

If you get to Palo Alto early and you're looking for a place to hang out, you might try the Old Pro, a sports bar in downtown Palo Alto. It probably will be crowded. The address is 541 Ramona St., Palo Alto -- http://www.oldpropa.com/

If you haven't been to Stanford before, I would suggest entering campus by way of University Avenue. It takes you through downtown Palo Alto and into the campus. The name of the street changes from University Ave. to Palm Drive as you cross over El Camino Real. That gives you the "picture postcard" view of the campus as you enter.

Regarding game-day activities -- If you've never been to the Stanford campus, I would advise that you spend some time walking around the central campus area. It's possible to come to a football game, park, tailgate, and leave without ever seeing the central campus. I think that would be a mistake. Some spots to see on campus:

- The Quad. This is the academic heart of the campus. Spend some time wandering around. You will want to go into Memorial Church. Check out Memorial Court, which is at the main entrance to the Quad. Just outside the main entrance to the Quad is the Oval, a large grassy area that often is the site of frisbee, sunbathing, picnics, or whatever. The Quad is near the middle of this map -- https://campus-map.stanford.edu/

- White Plaza. This the crossroads of the campus and there's usually a lot of activity. The Bookstore has Stanford clothing and souvenirs. You can get something to eat at the Tresidder Union. Look in the bottom center part of the map.

- The Rodin Sculpture Garden at the Museum. (The Museum is formally known as the Cantor Center.) I think admission to the Museum is free if you want to go inside, but you don't have to enter the Museum to see the Rodin Garden. Part of the Cantor Arts Center.

- Hoover Tower. You won't have a problem finding it. Just look up. If the tower is open, you may want to ride up and see the campus from above.

- The Stanford Athletics Home of Champions in the Arrillaga Family Sports Center, 641 E. Campus Drive. This is the new hall of fame space which opened a year ago. Free admission. Lots of interactive displays. Lots of trophies too.

Two hours before kickoff, the Stanford team will walk from its locker room at Arrillaga Family Sports Center to the stadium. The Walk is a long-standing tradition. Fans will stand along the route and applaud the team as it walks past. The best place to see the Walk is in Chuck Taylor Grove, along Sam McDonald Mall. The Band plays in Chuck Taylor Grove immediately before the Walk.

While you're in Chuck Taylor Grove, take a look for the plaques honoring college football Hall of Famers Chuck Taylor (a Stanford player, coach, and athletic director) and Pop Warner (Stanford's winningest coach ever).

The Stanford "Fan Fest" is in the hammer throw area of Angell Field, on the opposite side of Sam McDonald Mall from Chuck Taylor Grove. You can get something to eat at the Fan Fest. https://gostanford.com/sports/2013/4/17/208445471.aspx

Hey...Thank you for the information.  We walked around a little and what a beautiful campus and a beautiful town Palo Alto is.

We also made it to Fan Fest.  Very active and fun.  I appreciate the info and I enjoyed it all.

---

I wish all forum visitors from competitors were as mellow as SteveAztec.

Ha...Thank you Card.

I am mellow most of the time.  I would say about 99% of my life.  Live life every day and have fun.  Its all about respecting each other.  I was so impressed with all I saw in Palo Alto.

[OutsiderFan]

It sure was fun re-reading some of the posts in this thread. It seems nobody predicted such a lop-sided Stanford offensive performance, but some people did think it wouldn't be close :)

[OutsiderFan]

It sure was fun re-reading some of the posts in this thread. It seems nobody predicted such a lop-sided Stanford offensive performance, but some people did think it wouldn't be close :)

[Mick]

Costello was always a better prospect then Chryst. Costello should have been the starter in 2017 from the Rice game on, and I am not saying that in hindsight This was my opinion at the time. Costello is more decisive, is a quicker athlete, is a more accurate passer, plays with passion that inspires his teammates, and when he played, he proved he was better than Chryst. He's only going to get better. And for the record, I also believe Davis Mills is better than Costello. Stanford should be in pretty good shape at QB the next few seasons at least.

Apropos of not very much, Keller Chryst did not play in Tennessee's 42-14 loss to #17 ranked West Virginia.  Tennessee's coach said Chryst will play next week, though his starting QB went 19/25 for 172 yards and a TD.

[Mick]

Costello was always a better prospect then Chryst. Costello should have been the starter in 2017 from the Rice game on, and I am not saying that in hindsight This was my opinion at the time. Costello is more decisive, is a quicker athlete, is a more accurate passer, plays with passion that inspires his teammates, and when he played, he proved he was better than Chryst. He's only going to get better. And for the record, I also believe Davis Mills is better than Costello. Stanford should be in pretty good shape at QB the next few seasons at least.

Apropos of not very much, Keller Chryst did not play in Tennessee's 42-14 loss to #17 ranked West Virginia.  Tennessee's coach said Chryst will play next week, though his starting QB went 19/25 for 172 yards and a TD.

[washingtonismoney]

For completeness, here are the game 1 results in the D. Shaw Era:
2011 - San Jose State 57-3
2012 - San Jose State 20-17
2013 - San Jose State 34-13
2014 - UC Davis 45-0
2015 - @Northwestern 6-16
2016 - Kansas State 26-13
2017 - Rice 62-7 (neutral field)

It was also interesting to see Stanford's pre-season rating:
2011 - 7
2012 - 21
2013 - 5
2014 - 11
2015 - 21
2016 - 8
2017- 14
2018 - 13

FWIW ESPN makes a "game score" statistic readily available for individual performances. My understanding is that most of the rating systems use a similar system -- i.e. rate an individual team's performance in a given game and use it to adjust the team's overall ranking -- but ESPN makes theirs very conveniently available, which allows us to do some very casual comparisons: 

2018 -- 72 (out of 100)
2017 -- 72
2016 -- 89
2015 -- 37
2014 -- 69
2013 -- 72
2012 -- 75
2011 -- 77

Conclusion: basically Shaw typically rolls out a nice but not overwhelming performance every year; there seems to be little correlation with later performance as the team can either improve (2015) or be blighted by injuries and other stuff (2016; the K-State performance was really quite strong...)

[washingtonismoney]

For completeness, here are the game 1 results in the D. Shaw Era:
2011 - San Jose State 57-3
2012 - San Jose State 20-17
2013 - San Jose State 34-13
2014 - UC Davis 45-0
2015 - @Northwestern 6-16
2016 - Kansas State 26-13
2017 - Rice 62-7 (neutral field)

It was also interesting to see Stanford's pre-season rating:
2011 - 7
2012 - 21
2013 - 5
2014 - 11
2015 - 21
2016 - 8
2017- 14
2018 - 13

FWIW ESPN makes a "game score" statistic readily available for individual performances. My understanding is that most of the rating systems use a similar system -- i.e. rate an individual team's performance in a given game and use it to adjust the team's overall ranking -- but ESPN makes theirs very conveniently available, which allows us to do some very casual comparisons: 

2018 -- 72 (out of 100)
2017 -- 72
2016 -- 89
2015 -- 37
2014 -- 69
2013 -- 72
2012 -- 75
2011 -- 77

Conclusion: basically Shaw typically rolls out a nice but not overwhelming performance every year; there seems to be little correlation with later performance as the team can either improve (2015) or be blighted by injuries and other stuff (2016; the K-State performance was really quite strong...)

[CornFed]

Just re-watched the safety and just HAD to say:  Bobby Okereke closed on Chapman incredibly quickly.  Unbelievably quick.  In fact, although it seemed that the QB had ample time to get rid of it, he had no idea that Okereke could get there that quickly.  I think it surprised him.

[CornFed]

Just re-watched the safety and just HAD to say:  Bobby Okereke closed on Chapman incredibly quickly.  Unbelievably quick.  In fact, although it seemed that the QB had ample time to get rid of it, he had no idea that Okereke could get there that quickly.  I think it surprised him.