Stanford its first win of the season and first time since 2001 under head coach Jim Harbaugh with a 8-5 final last season. The Cardinal was an impressive 6-3 in Pac-10 play last season, and play your head in the 2010 season with high expectations for another strong finish in the conference. The Cardinal has 15 starters back out for the season, a number of talented second year. Here is breakdown guide to what the Cardinal will send to the field this season, and my thoughts onwhere they end the year in the Pac-10.
Offense:
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Stanford biggest challenge heading into the 2010 season will be to find a way to put points on the board, without star running back Toby Gerhart, the Cardinal led with 1,871 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2009. Sophomore Stepfanica Taylor should make a leap into the starting role heading into this season after limited action last season. Taylor had only 56 carries for 303 yards and two points last season, but had a nice 5.4 averageto carry.
Gerhart went with the Cardinal sophomore quarterback Andrew Luck lead this team this side of the ball. The luck has been very impressive in his first season throwing for 2,573 yards with 13 touchdowns to just four interceptions. Happiness is seen by many as the second best quarterback in the Pac-10 this season saw behind Washington's Jake Locker.
The Cardinal look most likely to occur in 2010, look for wide outs and senior Chris Owusu of Ryan Whalencan I put my career numbers this season. The elections ended with a team best 57 receptions for 926 yards and four touchdowns in 2009, but Owusu was not far behind with 37 receptions for 682 yards and five touchdowns. The Cardinals like to run requires a lot of double tight end, you can also search for a great year of Junior and Senior Coby Fleener Konrad Reuland.
The current game will be remembered at Stanford, not, as the Cardinal only lead back to one of the best offensive lines in the Pac-10, butone of the best in the country. Sophomore left tackle Jonathan Martin has played well as a novice, and if one of the top picks in the conference in the coming years. The cardinal also one of the best guards in the country sophomore Right Guard David DeCastro. The only change made to come out right tackle, senior Derek Hall, where it is expected that the starting point to join the group.
Defense:
If the Cardinal is going to surprise and win the Pac-10 thisSeason is going to need that defense to make and keep this season. As long as the only starter back into the scheme of the team is 3-4 senior nose tackle Sione Fua, performing in a massive 307 pounds. is great in this system. Senior and junior Brian Bulcke Matthew Masifilo are the projected starters at both defensive end spots.
With the switch this season 3-4, the former defensive end Chase Thomas Keiser and Thomas make the move to outside linebacker. The KeiserCardinal with nine sacks last season, and it will be important that he and Thomas to make a smooth transition for this defense. In the middle of senior Owen Marecic is expected to be the opposite of talented sophomore Shayne Skov.
In the secondary, the Cardinal return from both corners of last year in junior and senior Richard Johnson Badem Sherman. The only change will come to free safety, where senior Austin Yancy provided opposite of junior Delano Howell, who should startone of the best games in the Pac-10 this season.
Pac-10 Prediction - 5 Pac 10: I think the loss of Gerhart, the Cardinal break down a few notches this season, and I have my concerns with the defense, as it usually takes teams a bit 'to establish a new regime. But with a little 'luck on the quarterback, there is no doubt that the Cardinal are big time sleepers in the Pac-10 this season.
For a complete look, play like the conference this season, check out our 2010Pac-10 predictions.
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2010 Stanford Cardinal football predictions
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