2010 RecapSometimes it's better to be lucky than good. Sometimes it's just better to have Luck. Coming off of a 2009 season which featured the budding star, Andrew Luck, the Standford fanbase watched the sophomore eagerly to see which direction his career would turn. As it happens Luck went from a budding college football star to the best quarterback in all of college football.
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| Andrew Luck |
The Stanford Cardinal started the 2010 season 4-0 with resounding wins over UCLA, Wake Forest, and Notre Dame. The redhot start framed a top tier matchup against PAC 10 rival Oregon. Stanford lost the game 52-31. Oregon would then tear through the PAC 10 going undefeated and earning a spot in the BCS National Championship Game. Following the loss to Oregon, Stanford themselves finished the season undefeated and finished second in the conference. With a regular season record of 11-1 and a BCS ranking of fourth the Cardinal was guaranteed a BCS bowl appearance and were slated in the Discover Orange Bowl against ACC Champion Virginia Tech.
Under the nation's watchful eye Andrew Luck did not disappoint. He threw for 287 yds and 4 TD'S in a 40-12 rout of the Hokies. The 2010 season was considered an overachievement for the Cardinal praising Luck and outstanding head coach Jim Harbaugh for the successes.
Offseason and Recruiting
For all the success Stanford experienced in the 2010 season it seemed the offseason would provide just as many hurdles. With the success of Andrew Luck in his sophomore campaign it was not only all but guaranteed that he would enter the NFL draft and but also be the first overall pick. Amidst the prospect of losing their prized star Stanford lost their head coach to the NFL ranks. Jim Harbaugh accepted a five years $25 million dollar contract with the San Fransisco 49ers. But with the loss of their head coach came a surprising twist. Andrew Luck decided to forego the NFL draft and return to Stanford for his junior season. Step back from the ledge Cardinal fans there is hope yet left in Palo Alto. Athletic director Bob Bowlsby replaced Harbaugh from within with the hire of Offensive coordinator David Shaw.
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| Ty Montgomery |
Although Harbaugh left the Cardinal he left them one gift a top 25 recruiting class. It is no mystery academic standards at Stanford inhibit the Cardinal from recruiting with the best of the best and yet Stanford finished in February with the 22nd ranked class according to Rivals.com. The first thing you notice when looking at Stanford's class is that they were not frightened away from crossing the California border and recruiting prospects from across the country. Tucker, GA standout James Vaughters headlines the class as the top ranked prospect. Spokane, WA's Charlie Hopkins (DE), and Ft. Lauderdale, FL's Wayne Lyons (DB) also rounded out the defensive side of the class.
The hidden gem of the class seems to be Dallas St. Mark's Ty Montgomery. Montgomery was considerd the 30th best receiver in the 2011 class and yet the tape seems to tell a different tale. True he played in a diluted pool of talent which would allow for greater success on his part but his level of athleticism and hands seem to translate brilliantly into Shaw's Stanford scheme. He may not be a starter in year one but with the losses of two of Stanford's starting receivers the oppurtunity to be a go to target from the Heisman frontrunner is readily available.
2011 Season Prediction
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| David Shaw |
Had Luck not returned to Stanford they would not have been ranked in the top 25. But with his return they suddenly find themselves in the 20th spot of the CTSports rankings. There will be an adjustment period to life under new head coach David Shaw but that period should be minimal. The players are familiar with his coaching style and most importantly Andrew Luck is comfortable with him. The Cardinal will find the 2011 season with the PAC 12 much stronger than the year prior. They get Oregon at home but are asked to go to Los Angeles to face USC. CTSports predicts Stanford to finish 9-3 and third in the conference.
Stanford 2011 Schedule
Sep. 3 - San Jose State
Sep. 10 - @Duke
Sep. 17 - @Arizona
Oct. 1 - UCLA
Oct. 8 - Colorado
Oct. 15 - @Washington State
Oct. 22 - Washington
Oct. 29 - @USC
Nov. 5 - @Oregon State
Nov. 12 - Oregon
Nov. 19 - California
Nov. 26 - Notre Dame
