Andrew Luck: Can Luck and Stanford Win 2012 BCS Title Without Jim Harbaugh?

Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck has decided to come back to school for his Junior season. Head coach Jim Harbaugh's status is still up in the air.

After a 12-1 season and an impressive Orange Bowl victory over the Virginia Tech Hokies, Stanford looks like they are on the short list for great college teams.

However, would Stanford be able to win the BCS title if Harbaugh decides to take the San Francisco 49ers head coaching gig?

Here are five reasons why they could win it and five reasons they won't.

Read on and let us know what you think.

5. No: Still Not the Best Team in the Pac-12

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EUGENE, OR - OCTOBER 2: Quarterback Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal is pressured by defensive end Kenny Rowe #58 of the Oregon Ducks in the third quarter of the game at Autzen Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. Oregon won the game 52-3

Stanford's lone loss this season came at Oregon's Autzen Stadium to a Ducks team that is undefeated and playing for the BCS Championship this year.

The Cardinal lost 52-31 to a team that returns a bunch of key players including starting quarterback Derron Thomas and star running back LaMichael James.

5. Yes: Top-10 Recruiting Class

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PALO ALTO, CA - NOVEMBER 27: Anthony Wilkerson #32 of the Stanford Cardinal in action against the Oregon State Beavers at Stanford Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

According to Scout.com, Stanford has the sixth best recruiting class so far in 2010. They have 22 players committed, seven of which are four stars or higher. 13 of their prospects are on offense and nine are on defense.

In fact, during Harbaugh's time at Stanford he has recruited very well. During his four years as the Stanford head coach, the recruiting classes the Cardinal have brought in have climbed from 43rd to sixth.

4. No: Exodus If Harbaigh Leaves

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 03: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Stanford Cardinal is interviewed by ESPN's Michelle Tafoya after Stanford won 40-12 against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on January 3, 2011 in Miam

Jim Harbaugh is the draw for a lot of these kids at Stanford. He is the type of guy that brings people to him. If he were to leave, I think quite a few guys would not stick to their commitment to Stanford.

In fact a few of the current committed players have decided to take visits elsewhere if Harbaugh does decide to head for the 49ers.

While the 2011 recruiting class won't be a huge deterrent for Stanford next season, it would weaken the depth on the roster.

4. Yes: Schedule Not Too Tough

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PALO ALTO, CA - OCTOBER 23: Ryan Whalen #8 of the Stanford Cardinal catches the ball for a touchdown against the Washington State Cougars at Stanford Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Here is Stanford's 2011 Schedule:

9/3       SJSU

9/10     @Duke

9/17     @Arizona

10/1     UCLA

10/8     Colorado

10/15   @WSU

10/22   Washington

10/29   @USC

11/5     @Oregon State

11/12   Oregon

11/19   Cal

11/26   Notre Dame

12/3     Pac-12 Championship

Stanford gets Oregon, Cal and Notre Dame at home. The hardest road games they have are at USC, who is always tough, and at Oregon State who will be better than this year.

3. No: Losing 7 Offensive Starters

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SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 25: Chase Beeler #72 of the Stanford Cardinal congratulates teammate Owen Marecic #48 after Marecic scored an offensive touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on September 25, 2010 in South Bend, I

Stanford is losing five offensive starters next year including three starting offensive linemen.

The Cardinal lose left guard Andrew Phillips, center Chase Beeler, right tackle Derek Hall, wide receiver Doug Baldwin, wide receiver Ryan Whalen, tight end Konrad Reuland and full back Owen Marecic.

The sound of losing Owen Marecic might not sound like a big loss, however Marecic also starts at middle linebacker and is good at running the ball from the full back position. His loss will be felt quite a bit.

3. Yes: Next Head Coach Probably All Ready On Staff

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 03: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Stanford Cardinal reacts as he coaches against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on January 3, 2011 in Miami, Florida. Stanford won 40-12. (Photo by Mar

If Jim Harbaugh does leave there are a few guys that could step in immediately and stabilize the team. 

Greg Roman is the Associate Head Coach and Assistant Head Coach of Offense. David Shaw is the offensive coordinator.

Either one of those guys would be able to step in and would keep the ball rolling.

2. No: Defensive Coordinator Probably Wouldn’t Stay

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CANTON, OH - AUGUST 5: Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio of the Houston Texans stands on the sideline during the AFC-NFC Hall of Fame Game against the New York Giants on August, 5, 2002 at Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Imag

Vic Fangio is the current defensive coordinator at Stanford. He has installed the 3-4 defense there and if the Orange Bowl was any indication, they are fantastic at running it. However, Fangio is rumored to be gone.

He is a candidate for the open defensive coordinator position at UCLA, Texas, and many other schools and it has been rumored that his relationship with Harbaugh is strained and Fangio is looking for a change of scenery. 

It is questionable if he will be back in Palo Alto next year.

2. Yes: Still A Ton of Depth on the Team

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 03: Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal ellude Jack Tyler #58 of the Virginia Tech Hokies during the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on January 3, 2011 in Miami, Florida. STanford won 40-12. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Ge

Stanford returns nearly their entire running back stable, most of their tight ends, quite a few offensive linemen and nearly all of their secondary.

Out of the two deep, the Cardinal lose 12 guys and have a ton of talent on the roster.

1. No: Harbaugh Is the Driving Force on This Team

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 03: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Stanford Cardinal celebrates as he is lifted up by his players after Stanford won 40-12 against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on January 3, 2011 in

Jim Harbaugh has transformed Stanford from a historically academic institute that is towards the bottom of the Pac-10, to one of the best teams in the conference.

If you ever watch a Stanford game it is obvious that Harbaugh's players love him and the feeling is mutual. Without him running the team it is hard to see them having the same live or die attitude going into every game.

1. Yes: Luck Is the Best College Quarterback in Recent Memory

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 03: Orange Bowl MVP Andrew Luck of the Stanford Cardinal celebrates with fans after Stanford won 40-14 against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on January 3, 2011 in Miami, Florida. (P

Andrew Luck's numbers after two years as a starter:

5,913 yards, 45 touchdowns, 12 interceptions.

He has more yardage and touchdowns in two years than any quarterback in school history. That includes Hall of Famers John Elway and Jim Plunkett.

I guess it helps to have a photographic memory and be an architecture major.

Conclusion: Can Stanford Win the BCS Title in 2012?

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 03: Players from the Stanford Cardinal hold up the Orange Bowl Champion trophy after they won 40-12 against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on January 3, 2011 in Miami, Florida. (Photo

With or without Jim Harbaugh I think Stanford will be a factor in the BCS Championship picture in 2012.

However, will they win it? That remains to be seen.

The Pac-12 will be a tougher sledding next year for the Cardinal and I expect Cal, UCLA, Arizona State, Colorado, and even Washington State to all be better next year.

So if I was forced to choose, I would say no.

Stanford will not win the BCS Championship next season, but they will be one of the best teams in the nation.