{"id":254,"date":"2016-09-02T13:48:54","date_gmt":"2016-09-02T17:48:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordoncollegefootball.com\/?p=254"},"modified":"2018-01-13T00:33:00","modified_gmt":"2018-01-13T05:33:00","slug":"254","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2016\/09\/02\/254\/","title":{"rendered":"Stanford Football’s New Year’s Resolution"},"content":{"rendered":"

A new college football season is like New Year\u2019s Day<\/strong>: it represents a new beginning, a rebirth, a chance at a do-over. The past is put to bed, if only temporarily, and all we see is the bright shiny future in front of us. It\u2019s full of hope, promise, and opportunity for redemption. In the New Year, we resolve to eliminate bad habits, to perform better, to take risks, or simply to do things more efficiently. Whatever the resolution, the goal is to be better than we were last year.<\/p>\n

As individuals, we resolve to do things like get in shape, save money, go skydiving, and spend more time with friends and family. But football teams? They have a single goal for the \u201cNew Year\u201d: to make it to the College Football Playoff<\/strong> (CFP) and win it all.<\/p>\n

Stanford Football’s New Year’s\u00a0Resolution<\/h2>\n

Last year, Stanford’s\u00a0<\/strong>goal of a CFP appearance (and nearly everything else) was dashed on \u201cNew Year\u2019s Day\u201d when they lost to Northwestern<\/strong> in the first game of the season. In other words, they committed to losing weight but ate sixteen cupcakes on January 1. The Cardinal<\/strong> didn\u2019t let the\u00a0setback derail their season, however. Understanding they were fighting an uphill battle, they got back on their \u201cdiet\u201d and worked out even harder.<\/p>\n

For over two months.<\/p>\n

But just like losing that last five pounds, the final stretch was difficult and Stanford had yet another setback. With three weeks to go and\u00a0the end in sight, Oregon<\/strong> beat Stanford at home, ending the already-slim chance of a CFP berth. The Cardinal ultimately finished the regular season with a 10-2 record, having lost two games by a total of twelve points. They went on to win the PAC-12<\/strong> Championship<\/strong> and Rose<\/strong> Bowl<\/strong>, but missed the CFP. Damn cupcakes.<\/p>\n

This year, the “New Year\u2019s Resolution” remains the same, and it will take a season of near perfection for Stanford to get there. Let\u2019s examine what lies ahead for Stanford and where they have some wiggle room.<\/p>\n

Friday, September 2: Kansas State<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Stanford starts with a solid non-conference opponent right out of the gate. I expect this to be a nail-biter early on as new Stanford quarterback Ryan Burns<\/strong> shakes off the jitters in his first college start. The Cardinal will rely on junior running back Christian McCaffrey<\/strong>, however the coaching staff must be wary of becoming one dimensional against a tough Kansas State<\/strong> defense. I predict that Stanford will win, but by no more than 10 points.<\/p>\n

Saturday, September 17: University of Southern California<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Stanford beating USC<\/strong> would be an early\u00a0opportunity\u00a0to win the hearts and minds of voters, even more so this year since USC plays Alabama<\/strong> in Week 1.<\/p>\n

If USC can upset Alabama, and then Stanford can beat USC, it would be a really nice data point for the selection committee. Conversely, if USC gets blown out in AT&T Stadium,<\/strong> and then beats Stanford at home, it won\u2019t be easy for the Cardinal to recover. Regardless of the outcome of USC vs. Alabama, Stanford\u2019s date with USC is a must-win game.\u00a0I am picking Stanford primarily because of home field advantage, but there will be more drama than on The Bachelor.<\/p>\n

Saturday, September 24: at University of California, Los Angeles<\/strong><\/h3>\n

UCLA<\/strong> starts the season ranked 16th<\/sup> in the AP<\/strong> Pre-Season Top 25. Unfortunately, what typically happens is, UCLA starts the year with high expectations but quickly peters out. UCLA\u2019s quarterback Josh Rosen<\/strong> has been compared to Andrew Luck<\/a><\/strong>, but also Stanford hasn’t lost to UCLA since George W. Bush<\/strong> was in office. This is a difficult pick, seeing how\u00a0history says that Stanford will win, but this is also Ryan Burns\u2019 first road start. Is there an upset Bruin<\/strong> or Mora the same? I say Stanford takes this one, but it won\u2019t be easy.<\/p>\n

Friday, September 30: at University of Washington<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Washington<\/strong> is starting the year ranked 14th<\/sup>, which makes sense because it\u2019s only a matter of time before head coach Chris Petersen<\/strong> builds a powerhouse in the Pacific Northwest.<\/strong><\/p>\n

For the past few years, Stanford has experienced at least one unfortunate loss: Northwestern<\/strong> in 2015 and Utah<\/strong> in 2014 and 2013, to name a few. This UDub game feels like it might be one of those occasions. I predict a frustrating low-scoring affair in Seattle,<\/strong> which ends in a Stanford loss.<\/p>\n

Saturday, October 8: Washington State University<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Under coach Mike Leach, Washington State<\/strong> is getting better every year, and let\u2019s just put it out there, Cardinal home games against the Cougars<\/strong> are prone to get a little weird. Luke Falk<\/strong> will aim for over 500 yards of passing, as is the norm, and Stanford\u2019s secondary will be put to the test given that Washington State runs the ball about as often as there is a full moon.<\/p>\n

Given how often they pass, Washington State is an aerial threat, and one that will harden the Stanford defensive backs.\u00a0\u201cIron sharpens iron.\u201d<\/p>\n

In my opinion, Stanford wins this game because of defense.<\/p>\n

Saturday, October 15: at Notre Dame<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Since this game involves Notre Dame,<\/strong> and all the thoughts and feelings people have about them, I suspect that this is Stanford\u2019s only freebie. What I mean by that is that Stanford can lose this game mid-season with relatively little drop, because people generally regard Notre Dame as a successful, high-performing program.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s be honest. This game is in South Bend,<\/strong> and Stanford doesn\u2019t have a prayer. If Notre Dame is StanU\u2019s only loss, they could still make it to the CFP.<\/p>\n

Saturday, October 22: University of Colorado<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If Stanford loses to Colorado,<\/strong> they might actually be relegated to the FCS<\/strong>. There isn\u2019t any wiggle room here. If Stanford doesn\u2019t win by 20 points, it will be considered a failure and there is absolutely no chance at the CFP.<\/p>\n

Saturday, October 29: at University of Arizona<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Arizona<\/strong> is going to have another ho hum season, and Rich Rodriguez<\/strong> will fail to deliver on his promise to the Bear Down Faithful yet again. Stanford will take a close one on the road against this serially under-performing squad.<\/p>\n

Saturday, November 5: Oregon State University<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Likewise to a loss to Colorado, if Stanford loses to Oregon State,<\/strong> the\u00a0FCS<\/strong> may be their new home. If Stanford doesn\u2019t win this game, they can kiss their chance at the CFP goodbye.<\/p>\n

Saturday, November 12: at Oregon<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Oregon<\/strong> garnered enough respect in the BCS<\/strong> era to widely establish their brand and identity. This means that Stanford could potentially lose this game on the road and still be eligible for the playoff game, IF (and I stress the IF) Stanford wins all other games and Oregon has an awesome two-loss season. I wouldn\u2019t be surprised if Stanford lost by two touchdowns or more in Eugene,<\/strong> which could ruin everything.<\/p>\n

Saturday, November 19: at University of California<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Big Game hasn\u2019t been exciting since 2009. It\u2019s frustrating!<\/p>\n

Can these two teams be good at the same time, please? I mean, Stanford is developing rivalries with USC, UCLA, and Oregon out of sheer boredom. At the end of the day, the Cal<\/strong> offense giveth and the Cal defense taketh. This year will be no different than the past six, and Stanford will win in Berkeley.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Saturday, November 26: Rice<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Rice<\/strong> is amazing with Thai<\/strong> food, Indian<\/strong> food, and Mexican<\/strong> food. I like white rice and the more healthy option, brown rice. Oh, and I really like Chipotle\u2019s<\/strong> cilantro rice.<\/p>\n

But, why is Stanford playing Rice in November?<\/strong> This is not a good match-up, and it reeks of SEC teams scheduling cupcakes in the late season. Stanford will win this game by a landslide in enough time to pad Christian McCaffrey\u2019s Heisman<\/strong> stats.<\/p>\n

In the End<\/h3>\n

The bottom line is, Stanford has zero room for error in any given season. Despite five PAC-12 teams being ranked in the AP Top-25, the PAC is still looked down on by the likes of the SEC<\/strong>, B1G,<\/strong> and BIG 12.<\/strong> Until Stanford comes up with a perfect, or near perfect season, they will find themselves on the outskirts of the CFP. Let\u2019s see what this New Year holds.<\/p>\n

Main Photo:<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n