Autzen Zoo Pac-12 Schedule Breakdown: Stanford Cardinal Has Leaders On Offense
More from Pac-12 News
- 8 Pac-12 teams represented in Associated Press Top 25 after Week 2
- Pac-12 Conference down to 2 teams as Cal and Stanford depart for ACC
- Pac-12 Media Rights Only Have One Place To Go
- Pac-12 Plays Itself Out Of College Football Playoff
- Pac-12 Media Rights Deal Closes, Opening Negotiations
For the last few years the biggest rivalry in the Pac-12 has been Oregon and Stanford. This season will likely see a similar storyline.
Quarterback Kevin Hogan returns for his Senior season
to lead the Cardinal and he has a ton of experience. Defensively Stanford is left reeling with the departure of four Starters last season. Nine players with starting experience have left and the new combers will have to be fast learners.
The Offense will have a new weapon in Running Back Barry Sanders Jr, who is entering his Sophomore season after carrying the ball just sixty-four times last year for three-hundred yards. He should see those carry number increase this season. Here is the outlook for the Stanford Cardinal from our own Mike Vamosi.
Schedule: @Northwestern (9/5), UCF (9/12), @USC (9/19), @Oregon State (9/25), Arizona (10/3), UCLA (10/15), Washington (10/25), @Washington State (10/31), @Colorado (11/7), Oregon (11/14), California (11/21), Notre Dame (11/28)
Non-Conference Thoughts: Arguable the toughest non-conference schedule in the league with an opening game at Northwestern then UCF and closing with Notre Dame. Two of these three teams went to bowl games last week but have solid coaches in Pat Fitzgerald, George O’Leary and Brian Kelly.
Conference Schedule: Five of their nine games are at home including Nov. 21 against the Ducks. While tough opening at Southern Cal then a string of Arizona, UCLA and Washington all at home before closing at home against Oregon and Cal before finishing with their non-conference rival.
Outlook: 9-3, David Shaw loses a lot on defense even if he returns long time starter Kevin Hogan to this team. Last year saw some odd hiccups that seem to dot Shaw’s time at his alma mater which hopefully continues for the Cardinal this season.
Stanford opens the season in the Big Ten at Northwestern on Saturday, September 5th.
Next: Track and Field: Ashton Eaton Ready for 2016 Olympics Run