Jim Harbaugh: Is Stanford Ready to Compete For a National Championship?

1-11

In 2006, Walt Harris finished his two year Stanford coaching tenure with one of the worst records in college football, 1-11.

The team was at a low point. They were losing key pieces everywhere—losing quarterback Trent Edwards to the NFL, losing head coach Walt Harris, who was fired after the season, and most importantly, they were losing their way as a program.

The Cardinal were in desperate need of a resolute leader to step in and stabilize the team.

They found that in San Diego Head Coach Jim Harbaugh. The former NFL quarterback was 43 years of age, energetic, and focused on success. Harbaugh had just led his San Diego Torreos team to a 22-2 record and two consecutive conference championships over a two year span.

He stepped in and immediately switched around the attitude of the team. Stanford fans were finally seeing some some competitiveness and juice out of the players again.

It paid off in the fifth game of the season at the Los Angeles Coliseum. The 1-3 Cardinals were an almost historically heavy underdog yet somehow pulled off a 24-23 upset of the mighty USC Trojans. The peasant had beaten the king. Now, Harbaugh was on his way to becoming the new “it” coach of the conference.

Harbaugh’s building efforts came to fruition during the 2009 season. Freshman Quarterback Andrew Luck teamed up with senior running back Toby Gerhart to help lead Stanford to an 8-4 regular season record and the school’s first bowl appearance in eight years. The highpoint of the season came when Harbaugh's bunch gave Pete Carroll's Trojans a 55-21 thumping in Los Angeles. Toby Gerhart, who rushed for three TDs in the game, would use the performance as his calling card in a bid to win the Heisman Trophy.

Gerhart is off to the NFL but Luck, now a redshirt sophomore, is back to lead the offense. The team seems strong and solid almost everywhere with a very balanced looking depth chart. Stanford is experienced in the most important areas (quarterback, offensive line, secondary), and has a fair share of kids who can make difference making plays.

Luck is the big name, but this team runs a lot deeper. The O-line is full of guys with all conference potential and the best player could also be the youngest. Left Tackle Jonathan Martin may only be a sophomore, but it already looks like he could have some big pro potential to offer.

At the skill positions are a pair of potential breakout players—wide receiver Chris Owusu and running back Stepfan Taylor. Both players have shown glimpses that they have what it takes to be special.

The Defense has a standout player on every level. Big Sione Fua mans the middle of the 3-4 defense. The nose tackle has the strength and size to occupy opposing blockers. Thomas Keiser moves to outside linebacker where he can really use his speed to penetrate opposing backfields. The secondary returns talented tacklers Rhichard Sherman and Delano Howell.

The real key to success could be the special teams unit. Kicker Nate Whitaker and punter David Green are experienced and consistent and Chris Owuswu might be the best returner in the nation.

The team looks good and the Pac 10 finally looks like a wide open conference this season. The schedule isn’t daunting, but it also isn’t easy. The team has a fair share of challenging road games on tap including visits to UCLA, Notre Dame, and Oregon early on in the season. The last time the team made trips to all three of those schools in the same year, they ended up losing all three games.

For this team, the most important thing will be their attitude. Toby Gerhart leaves a big void to be filled, but the offense has more than enough to survive. Luck has to put the offense on his shoulders and show that he really is the first round type quarterback that everybody has labeled him.

Stanford certainly has what it takes to win the Pac 10 this season; as for the national championship—I wouldn’t doubt Harbaugh’s capabilities.