Skinny - Stanford has gotten better in each of the past few seasons. This season they'll upgrade at quarterback as Andrew Luck is most likely going to unseat incumbent Tavita Pritchard. Luck is a high profile player, which isn't a common sight at a school like Stanford, an academic school. Toby Gerhart provides a good option at running back after rushing for over 1100 yards and 15 TDs last season. Tyler Gaffney was highly recruited and could help provide a 1-2 punch this season at running back. Stanford had a very good recruiting class last season having a top 20 type class. Third year coach Jim Harbaugh has the team heading in the right direction and Stanford could return to a bowl game for the first time since 2001 this season. The defense was average last season and Stanford hopes that will improve this season. Stanford didn't do well in the turnover category last season and if they can improve on that, Stanford could surprise some people. They won't be winning a league title, but a push for a top 5 finish isn't out of the realm of possibility within the conference. Stanford is a team building for the future.
Strength - Young players
Jim Harbaugh is turning this dormant program around. The recruiting class this season could see several true freshman getting considerable playing time. Tyler Gaffney could see some time at running baack, Jamal-Rashad Patterson and Jemari Roberts will get looks at Stanford as they possess good size and LB Shayne Skov is built to play immediately. Andrew Luck is only a redshirt freshman and should be a threat for years to come, unless highly touted true freshman Josh Nunes provides a push for the starting position. The team features several sophomore starters and the team overall is pretty young. Stanford is trying to become a force and it's very possible considering the fertile recruiting land they live in.
Weakness - Secondary
Bo McNally is one of the team's best players, but although the rest of the secondary provides a high number of tackles, the pass coverage must improve. The Pac-10 is becoming a more mobile league in terms of quarterback, which will aid a secondary that is better defending the run than the pass. Austin Yancy, Sean Wiser, and Delano Howell all provide depth at safety and Kris Evans returns at cornerback. The experience is vast and Stanford must keep improving in this aspect of the game to get up there in the league standing. McNally should compete for all conference honors by the end of the season.
Key Game - 10/24/09 Arizona State
Stanford has a shot to take down a team going in the opposite direction at the end of October. The Wake Forest game will be difficult in the second week considering they have to travel across the country, but Wake isn't really much different from Stanford in terms of ability. Stanford is probably more talented, but Wake is better coached. Notre Dame will be a challenge to finish the season, but San Jose State, Washington, and Washington State should all see Stanford as the favorite. Beating Arizona State and either Notre Dame or UCLA or Wake Forest would give Stanford that 13th game they've been lacking for so long. Stanford has a high ceiling if the freshman provide a spark like expected.
Key Player - Andrew Luck
Andrew Luck is a highly touted quarterback. Enough so that he is unseating two year starter Tavita Pritchard. Luck is built well at 6'4" 225 and is being highly spoken of by his coach Harbaugh. If it's not Pritchard pushing him in camp, true freshman Josh Nunes should be. Nunes, while not as highly touted, is another top 20 quarterback to sign on with the rising program. Luck will be throwing to an experienced, yet average bunch of receivers behind a strong line of scrimmage. Gerhart should also take some of the pressure off him from the backfield.
Impact Freshman - Jemari Roberts
Predicted Pac 10 finish - 8th
Top 5 Players
1. OL Chris Marinelli
2. OL Andrew Phillips
3. FS Bo McNally
4. RB Toby Gerhart
5. QB Andrew Luck
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