Andrew Luck Stays at Stanford: The 5 Biggest Losers from His Decision

The news that all college football fans have been waiting for is finally here—Andrew Luck will stay for another season with the Stanford Cardinal. 

Luck had a phenomenal showing in the Orange Bowl, leading his team to a 28-point victory of the Virginia Tech Hokies. 

There were multiple reasons why Luck wanted to stay, but one of the biggest was school. He loves his classes, his friends and his professors, and noted that he would miss all of that experience if he left for the draft. 

But what does this mean for football now? It seemed as if everyone was sure that Luck would go to the draft, get drafted by the Panthers, and Harbaugh would go his separate ways. Does this affect Newton's or Mallet's decision at all? Does this make Harbaugh stay as well?

Most importantly, who are the biggest losers to Luck's decision?

Carolina Panthers

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Jimmy Clausen #2 of the Carolina Panthers looks on from the sidelines during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on January 2, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Carolina Panthers are looking to lose their head coach, but were not looking to lose Andrew Luck. 

The Panthers are 2-14 on the season, with nothing going for them but the number one pick in the 2011 draft, which was sure to be Andrew Luck. Think again, as the Panthers take another devastating hit. Luck is a franchise quarterback that all NFL teams are salivating over, and he holds the potential to completely turn around an entire program, and the Panthers were banking on just that. 

Since Luck is staying, where do the Panthers turn? 

The field is wide open now, and if Mallet declares, both him and Locker will have a big shot at claiming that No.1 draft spot, but their ability on the professional level will most likely not match that of Luck's.  

Do the Panthers stick with below average QB Clausen for another terrible year? They need a quarterback, and they need one bad. 

Michigan Wolverines

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 01: Head Coach Rich Rodriguez of the University of Michigan Wolverines during the Gator Bowl at EverBank Field on January 1, 2011 in Jacksonville, Florida (Photo by Rick Dole/Getty Images)

This is a question mark, but since Luck is staying, does that mean Harbaugh stays as well?

In my mind, yes. 

Luck reported that Harbaugh's decision would affect his own, and now that Luck is staying, you have to wonder if Jim and Andrew have talked, and both agreed to stay for one more run. 

So, if that is the case, Michigan is taking a blow. R-Rod is out, Robinson is a question mark, and they are banking on Harbaugh returning to his Alma mater. 

It was not a for sure hiring, since Harbaugh has been chased by multiple NFL programs, but what does that mean for Michigan now? Do they completely turn there heads a different direction? 

I see Harbaugh staying, and the Wolves turning to possibly even Les Miles, and with the hiring of another coach this year, that means that next year Michigan will most likely not need Harbaugh. 

Every Other Pac-10 Team

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CORVALLIS, OR - DECEMBER 04: Head Coach Chip Kelly of the Oregon Ducks prepares with his team before the game against the Oregon State Beavers during the 114th Civil War on December 4, 2010 at the Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan F

If there is anyone more unhappy about Luck's decision than the Carolina Panthers, it is the rest of the Pac-10—or should I say Pac-12. 

Luck returning means that Stanford is back at a title shot for one more year, and that includes a run for the Pac-12 championship. 

If Luck and Harbaugh were to both leave, that would mean absolute reconstruction of the Stanford program. Luck and Harbaugh have taken this program from a one-win team to a BCS winner, and if both of them were to leave, that would be tragic. 

But, luckily for the Stanford program, that is not the case, and for the rest of the Pac-10, they get to face another top 5 Stanford team for another year with an All-American quarterback. 

Some will take it as a bad thing, but others such as USC, Oregon, Arizona, OSU, are looking for more competition to up their status a conference whole. 

NFL Teams In Need of Quarterbacks

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 23: Jonathan Stewart #28 of the Carolina Panthers runs with the ball during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 23, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

The biggest team that comes to mind would obviously be the Panthers, considering they would have drafted Luck and been on their road to success. 

But what about the domino effect?

What about Buffalo, Minnesota or Seattle? 

The Panthers are now expected to take Locker, Mallet or even Newton, which means Buffalo will have to take the next step down, and same goes for Minnesota, and so on, creating a domino effect for the pro teams expecting to get the quarterback they want. 

Although, I don't see any reason for NFL teams other than Carolina and Buffalo to be too disappointed, because with Mallet and Newton still waiting to decide, the other teams cannot expect much. 

Auburn Tigers and Arkansas Razorbacks

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AUBURN - OCTOBER 16: Auburn head coach Gene Chizik blows his whistle during warm ups before the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)

Here is another prime example of another domino effect.

What kind of decisions are Mallet, Newton, and Fairley going to make based off of Luck's decision?

Assuming this will affect the draft order, Newton and Mallet will both be projected higher (a.k.a. more money), and could the Panthers actually take Fairley and look for another second-round QB?

The same goes the other way as well. Could Newton and Mallet both feel a boost to stay because of this? I don't think so, but it's possible. And if so, could Fairley stay with Newton at Auburn for another run for the title?

There are a lot of questions to be answered, but if Newton and Mallet both declare, Arkansas and Auburn will take a big hit to the program, and Luck deciding to stay does not help their cause.