Stanford's Pac-10 Warmup: Time To Run the Ball Up the Wassu with Andrew Luck

Photo: Jim Harbaugh as Michigan's quarterback—the coach has a ways to go if he wants to remake Stanford in the image of '90s era Michigan.

Looking at Stanford on Offense

Coach Jim Harbaugh is a great talker. He is brash, but he has revitalized a once-hopeless Stanford team, step by step. A one-win team in 2006, he stepped in to lead it to a 4-8 record, then 5-7 last year. This is the year Stanford goes bowling. Stanford, by various reports, gets 16-17 starts back from a team that just missed bowling last year.

But the Cardinal's hopes rest in part on Andrew Luck, a redshirt freshman that is starting over former starter and incumbent senior Tavita Pritchard. In Stanford's spring game scrimmage, Luck served notice with 352 yards passing and five touchdowns. While that might cause some concern about the secondary, it shows that for the first time in many many years (think John Elway and Bill Walsh) Stanford may have a balanced offense.

Last year's offense rested heavily on the solid shoulders of Toby Gerhart. Gerhart set Stanford's rushing record last year with 1136 yards. He is a hard-nosed player, almost more fullback than halfback, a pounding runner that has been compared with a bowling ball.

At 6'2" and 235 pounds, He does not fit the trend of speedy little backs, like Jahvid Best of California for example. That fits the tougher mold Harbaugh is trying to instill at Stanford. Junior Jeremy Stewart had a strong fall scrimmage game, carrying seven times for 73 yards.

Pair the two together, with a lot of returning experience, and Stanford has potential on offense.

Where better in the Pac-10 to get some rhythm and confidence going for a Freshman starting quarterback than having him start at Washington State?  Last year, with one of the worst Pac-10 passing games Stanford beat the Cougars by a 58-0 score. That provides some margin for error.

What Stanford lacks is a lot of depth, due in part to past years of low recruitment and high academic standards. But Harbaugh has been recruiting well, and this is now a program on the rise.

Looking at Washington State on Defense

Considering how lopsided some games were last year for 2-11 Washington State, there is some talent at linebacker and in the secondary. For some reason Washington State has picked up some talent from Cal, including cornerback Brandon Jones, who should jump into a starting position and shore that group up.

Senior Andy Mattingly was exceptional as a linebacker in 2007, with 91 tackles. He was not as effective at defensive end last year, so this year he will fill the strong-side linebacker role, which is fortunate, for the defensive line needs all the help it can get. Bluntly, the front defensive line got pushed around last year by almost everybody, and injuries added their toll on a team that has trouble recruiting top talent and solid depth.

Washington State was dead last in Division I running defense. So Gerhart could actually improve on his 132 yards last year.

Washington State on Offense

There is an uncertain situation at quarterback, with the edge in fall scrimmage going to senior Kevin Lopina, who is listed equally on depth chart with sophmore Marshall Lobbestael. According to The Seattle Times, receivers Kevin Norrel, Jeffrey Solomon, Johnny Forzani, and tight end Skylar Stormo were all on the sideline with minor injuries for at least some of the fall scrimmage.  OK, what happens to these guys when they start seeing punishing defenses, like when they visit USC on Sept. 26?

Fortunately, the running game shows some hints of promise. Senior Dwight Tardy was the leading rusher last year, running 133 times for 481 yards. Tardy remains at the top of the released depth chart, but he is may be pushed for playing time by the second listed back, junior James Montgomery, another Cal transfer, who was the scout team MVP last year.

Stanford on Defense

Stanford had some secondary problems last year, but was effective rushing the passer. Most of the pass rushers have returned, so expect Stanford to try and disrupt the timing and confidence of WSU's quarterbacks.

I'd expect to see both of the cougar's quarterbacks play, and neither of them be very effective if they are running for their lives.

Senior Richard Sherman was a receiver until this year, and now he is the starting left corner, in a move to get some speed and help in the secondary. The defensive line all returns, and should improve on last year.

The secondary is anchored by fifth-year senior free safety Bo McNally, who led the Cardinal in tackles the last two years in a row. Overall, the Stanford defense should be improved from last year, with many returning athletes and stronger recruiting providing better depth.

Game Summary

Stanford should get a good warm-up here, providing Andrew Luck a nice chance to get in some throws after Gerhart pounds the Cougar defense for a while. The winner of this game is the Pac-10 for a while, as the regular Pac-10 schedule kicks in in Week Four. Expect that to be Stanford, but not at 58-0.

Looking at the Season

Paul Wulff is already on the hot seat in his second season, as Washington State was statistically one of the worst teams in FBS football last year. Recruiting in Pullman can be a challenge. Washington State would get a real lift from winning its home and Pac-10 opener here. But it's not going to happen.

Stanford is a team on the rise, getting better each of the last two years in terms of talent and coaching. While Stanford is not ready to challenge for the Pac-10 crown, this is a team that could go bowling for the first time in many years. This game will help break in their new quarterback, and give them a nice lead in to their Pac-10 schedule.

Pick:  Stanford 38 at Washington State 14