I say......
#25. Stanford Cardinal
After more than three weeks of counting down teams for whom ranks only matter as a personal opinion, we have finally hit the big 2-5. These are the teams that actually recieve a # in front of their number because it actually counts for something. Today, the big boys start off with a school that has seen itself become completely irrelevant in sports over the last deacde, but head coach John Harbaugh seems to have reminded the program that just because you have Ivy League education doesn't mean you have to play football like it. The Cardinal have seen an incredible turn around in their short time under Harbaugh, culminating in a Sun Bowl appearance last season, ending an eight year bowl drought. This season, they can accomplish even more.
The offense starts and ends with QB Andrew Luck, a freshmen last season, who is already being talked up as a top 5 pick in a future NFL draft. Last season, the offense was very balanced with both Luck throwing, and Heisman finalist Toby Gerhart running the ball. Gerhart opted to leave early to back up Adrian Peterson, so now it is all on Luck to run the O. The running backs do not look bad by any stretch of the imagination but they will not be nearly as good as Gerhart was. The good news is that Luck should have no problem with the extra responsibility. The offensive line should make it easy on him, returning four starters to a line that allowed only secen sacks in the entire 2009 season.
The defense will be the largest concern for the Cardinal, the pass defense was among the nations worst a year ago, and there is no shortage of phenomenal QB's in the PAC-10. The good news is that the secondary should be much better than it looked last season. One of last seasons starting cornerbacks was a converted WR playing the other side for the first time, with a year of experience, he should be markedly better, and another starter missed almost all of the Cardinal's conference games. The defensive line looks to be more than adequate, and the linebackers should be great, the rushing offense and passsing defense are the question marks that will decide how the season goes.
The schedule starts rough but ends a little easier. After a tune up against Sacremento State, the Cardinal will start right in on PAC-10 play, the good news is it is against UCLA. After that, Wake Forest will come to Stanford stadium. The next three games will be the meat of the schedule. At Notre Dame, at Oregon, and then at home against a USC team that will be looking to avenge last years loss. They get a week off then Washington State, so the Cardinal should be well prepared for Washington and Arizona right after that. Arizona State should not challenge them, then the season ends at a rebuilding Cal team and at home against the Beavers. The PAC-10 is too deep to say anyone faces a light schedule, but the timing and getting the Beavers, Wildcats, and Trojans at home make it as good as you'll find in the conference.
There are flaws on both sides of the ball but the strengths look to be much more established. There is no heavy favorite in the PAC-10 this year, so with some breaks, Pasadena for the Rose Bowl is a realistic goal for the Cardinal. Although unlikely, the BCS is within reach
Prediction: Sun Bowl.
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