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Day/Time: Nov. 28/TBD
2014 Record: 8-5
Projected Returning Starters – Offense: 8
Projected Returning Starters – Defense: 4
Head Coach: David Shaw (fifth year; 42-14)
2014 Points Scored: 27.2 (No. 77)
2014 Points Allowed: 16.4 (No. 2)
2014 Review
Stanford didn’t reach 11 wins for the first time since 2009, with back-to-back losses in November cementing the fact. For the first time since 2007, none of the Cardinal backs rushed for 1,000 yards, and the offense sputtered as a result. The Cardinal averaged a mere 13.4 points per game in their five losses.
More responsibility fell on the shoulders of quarterback Kevin Hogan, who had difficulty making winning plays as the Cardinal record dropped to 5-5. But after completing 63.8 percent of his passes with a 15-7 touchdown-to-interception ratio in those 10 games, Hogan improved his efficiency dramatically in the final three games. The senior completed 76.3 percent of his throws with a 4-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio as the Cardinal rattled off three consecutive wins.
Even as their offense struggled to replicate a dominant rushing attack, the Cardinal defense again lived up to their billing as one of the best in college football. The Cardinal boasted the No. 7 rushing defense and No. 2 scoring led by a strong front seven that returns only two starters in 2015.
Expected Strengths
The Cardinal need the fifth-year senior Hogan to carry the momentum he built toward the end of last year into 2015. And this time around, he should have the supporting cast to be successful. Eight starters return on offense, including four offensive linemen, with first-round NFL draft pick Andrus Peat the only departure up front. Sophomore Christian McCaffrey will shoulder the load in the backfield after averaging 7.1 yards per carry on 42 carries in 2014. Twenty-nine of those carries came in the final four games, and McCaffrey averaged 7.5 yards per carry through that stretch.
The experienced offensive line will aid the run game, which includes the leading rusher from a year ago senior in senior Remound Wright. The Cardinal did lose one of their playmakers in wideout Ty Montgomery, who was selected in the third round of the NFL draft. But the next three leading pass-catchers are back to serve as Hogan’s top targets, including wideout Devon Cajuste (34 receptions; 557 yards; six touchdowns) and tight end Austin Hooper (40 receptions; 499 yards).
The defense brings back just four starters, but two of those are at linebacker. Seniors Blake Martinez and Kevin Anderson were both named to the All-Pac-12 honorable mention team with the former leading the Cardinal with 102 tackles. Anderson chipped in with 52 stops of his own, including 11.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.
Possible Weaknesses
It isn’t often the Cardinal have depth concerns on defense, but a new trio of defensive linemen and two new members of the secondary—including a true freshman—signal a challenge for the Pac-12 North contenders. Aziz Shittu, who made 13 tackles in five appearances last fall, slots into one defensive end spot while Cal transfer Brennan Scarlett (five appearances; two tackles) fits in at the other. Sophomore Harrison Phillips or junior Nate Lohn will replace David Parry at nose tackle. There is also a shortage of depth on the defensive front, which could come into play late in the season if injuries become a problem.
Key Players
Kevin Hogan; QB: Much of the Cardinal success in 2015 will be dictated by their fifth-year senior quarterback. By the end of the season, Hogan was a different quarterback than the one that threw for 158 yards and two interceptions in an early October loss at Notre Dame. He returns in 2015 behind a strong offensive line and with sufficient help in the backfield. Stanford’s offense shouldn’t be a problem in 2015, and Hogan is its leader.
Christian McCaffrey; RB: Cardinal fans should be excited about what the sophomore running back can produce after the flashes he showed last November. McCaffrey brings to the Cardinal what they lacked in 2015: a potential 1,000-yard rusher who can churn out yards behind a powerful offensive line. He averaged better than 7 yards per carry and is a key part of the Cardinal offense.
Blake Martinez; LB: The Cardinal are built around a strong front seven. This 6-foot-, 247-pound inside linebacker epitomizes what Stanford football is about. Martinez is poised to lead the Cardinal in tackles for a second consecutive season, and he also tied a team-high mark with three interceptions in 2015. He and fellow linebacker and senior Anderson are the leaders of the Cardinal defense.
Zach Hoffpauir; FS: The senior free safety will be responsible for shoring up the backend of a defense that replaces seven starters. A large part of the job for Zach Hoffpauir, who recorded 44 tackles in 2014, will be communicating with the first-year starter at strong safety and cornerbacks. For once, the Cardinal defense isn’t set up to be the team’s strength. Hoffpauir has it in his power to alter that.
Notre Dame Matchup
Notre Dame’s 2014 showdown with Stanford was a victory, but far from a clean game of football. Hogan completed half of his passes, tossed two interceptions and registered a 19.8 QBR in the loss. His counterpart, Everett Golson, was 20-for-43 for 241 yards. He threw two touchdowns—including the game-winner with 1:01 left in the game—but also accounted for two turnovers. The key to Notre Dame’s victory was stopping the Cardinal rushing attack, which chalked up 47 yards on 32 carries. Slowing the Cardinal rushers shouldn’t be as easy this November, though.
Two late interceptions cost Notre Dame a shot at upsetting the Cardinal in its last trip to Palo Alto and one of Golson’s miscues led to the game’s first touchdown. Limiting giveaways is especially important on the road, when turnovers can fire up the home crowd. Notre Dame should try and control the game clock as well – despite failing to run the ball and struggling in the passing game, the Cardinal still had more time of possession (30:12-to-29:48).
Early Prediction
Notre Dame has the edge on paper, but be wary of the Cardinal.
Day/Time: Nov. 28/TBD
2014 Record: 8-5
Projected Returning Starters – Offense: 8
Projected Returning Starters – Defense: 4
Head Coach: David Shaw (fifth year; 42-14)
2014 Points Scored: 27.2 (No. 77)
2014 Points Allowed: 16.4 (No. 2)
2014 Review
Stanford didn’t reach 11 wins for the first time since 2009, with back-to-back losses in November cementing the fact. For the first time since 2007, none of the Cardinal backs rushed for 1,000 yards, and the offense sputtered as a result. The Cardinal averaged a mere 13.4 points per game in their five losses.
More responsibility fell on the shoulders of quarterback Kevin Hogan, who had difficulty making winning plays as the Cardinal record dropped to 5-5. But after completing 63.8 percent of his passes with a 15-7 touchdown-to-interception ratio in those 10 games, Hogan improved his efficiency dramatically in the final three games. The senior completed 76.3 percent of his throws with a 4-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio as the Cardinal rattled off three consecutive wins.
Even as their offense struggled to replicate a dominant rushing attack, the Cardinal defense again lived up to their billing as one of the best in college football. The Cardinal boasted the No. 7 rushing defense and No. 2 scoring led by a strong front seven that returns only two starters in 2015.
Expected Strengths
The Cardinal need the fifth-year senior Hogan to carry the momentum he built toward the end of last year into 2015. And this time around, he should have the supporting cast to be successful. Eight starters return on offense, including four offensive linemen, with first-round NFL draft pick Andrus Peat the only departure up front. Sophomore Christian McCaffrey will shoulder the load in the backfield after averaging 7.1 yards per carry on 42 carries in 2014. Twenty-nine of those carries came in the final four games, and McCaffrey averaged 7.5 yards per carry through that stretch.
The experienced offensive line will aid the run game, which includes the leading rusher from a year ago senior in senior Remound Wright. The Cardinal did lose one of their playmakers in wideout Ty Montgomery, who was selected in the third round of the NFL draft. But the next three leading pass-catchers are back to serve as Hogan’s top targets, including wideout Devon Cajuste (34 receptions; 557 yards; six touchdowns) and tight end Austin Hooper (40 receptions; 499 yards).
The defense brings back just four starters, but two of those are at linebacker. Seniors Blake Martinez and Kevin Anderson were both named to the All-Pac-12 honorable mention team with the former leading the Cardinal with 102 tackles. Anderson chipped in with 52 stops of his own, including 11.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.
Possible Weaknesses
It isn’t often the Cardinal have depth concerns on defense, but a new trio of defensive linemen and two new members of the secondary—including a true freshman—signal a challenge for the Pac-12 North contenders. Aziz Shittu, who made 13 tackles in five appearances last fall, slots into one defensive end spot while Cal transfer Brennan Scarlett (five appearances; two tackles) fits in at the other. Sophomore Harrison Phillips or junior Nate Lohn will replace David Parry at nose tackle. There is also a shortage of depth on the defensive front, which could come into play late in the season if injuries become a problem.
Key Players
Kevin Hogan; QB: Much of the Cardinal success in 2015 will be dictated by their fifth-year senior quarterback. By the end of the season, Hogan was a different quarterback than the one that threw for 158 yards and two interceptions in an early October loss at Notre Dame. He returns in 2015 behind a strong offensive line and with sufficient help in the backfield. Stanford’s offense shouldn’t be a problem in 2015, and Hogan is its leader.
Christian McCaffrey; RB: Cardinal fans should be excited about what the sophomore running back can produce after the flashes he showed last November. McCaffrey brings to the Cardinal what they lacked in 2015: a potential 1,000-yard rusher who can churn out yards behind a powerful offensive line. He averaged better than 7 yards per carry and is a key part of the Cardinal offense.
Blake Martinez; LB: The Cardinal are built around a strong front seven. This 6-foot-, 247-pound inside linebacker epitomizes what Stanford football is about. Martinez is poised to lead the Cardinal in tackles for a second consecutive season, and he also tied a team-high mark with three interceptions in 2015. He and fellow linebacker and senior Anderson are the leaders of the Cardinal defense.
Zach Hoffpauir; FS: The senior free safety will be responsible for shoring up the backend of a defense that replaces seven starters. A large part of the job for Zach Hoffpauir, who recorded 44 tackles in 2014, will be communicating with the first-year starter at strong safety and cornerbacks. For once, the Cardinal defense isn’t set up to be the team’s strength. Hoffpauir has it in his power to alter that.
Notre Dame Matchup
Notre Dame’s 2014 showdown with Stanford was a victory, but far from a clean game of football. Hogan completed half of his passes, tossed two interceptions and registered a 19.8 QBR in the loss. His counterpart, Everett Golson, was 20-for-43 for 241 yards. He threw two touchdowns—including the game-winner with 1:01 left in the game—but also accounted for two turnovers. The key to Notre Dame’s victory was stopping the Cardinal rushing attack, which chalked up 47 yards on 32 carries. Slowing the Cardinal rushers shouldn’t be as easy this November, though.
Two late interceptions cost Notre Dame a shot at upsetting the Cardinal in its last trip to Palo Alto and one of Golson’s miscues led to the game’s first touchdown. Limiting giveaways is especially important on the road, when turnovers can fire up the home crowd. Notre Dame should try and control the game clock as well – despite failing to run the ball and struggling in the passing game, the Cardinal still had more time of possession (30:12-to-29:48).
Early Prediction
Notre Dame has the edge on paper, but be wary of the Cardinal.
