Stanford Football: 5 Worst-Case Scenarios for 2011

The Stanford football program has a lot of promise heading into the 2011 a season after finishing last season with a 12-1 record.

Jim Harbaugh may be gone, but new head coach and former offensive coordinator David Shaw has taken over and figures to maintain the success the program has enjoyed in recent seasons.

He will certainly be helped by the return of Heisman Trophy favorite Andrew Luck.

Despite those facts, there is always the chance that the team could be struck with bad luck or poor play.

Follow along as we count down the five worst-case scenarios for the Stanford Cardinal.

5. A Loss Against Notre Dame in the Last Game of the Season

While the rivalry with Notre Dame may not be a one of the better known rivalries in the nation, it still strengthens Stanford's legitimacy as a top-tier team on a national scale.

The Irish were in control of this series for much of the last decade, winning seven games in a row from 2002-2008.

This season's match-up is the last regular season game for both teams.

It is widely expected for both the Cardinal and Irish to come into the game at Stanford Stadium in the hunt for a BCS game, and possibly undefeated.

Whichever team comes out on top will end the season on a high note, while the other will have a bad taste in its mouth for the entirety of the off-season.

It is critical that Stanford beat Notre Dame and prove that it doesn't need Jim Harbaugh to be a national power.

Lose to Notre Dame, and the critics will be barking.

4. A Loss Against Cal in the Big Game

Perhaps the most important game in the eyes of Stanford fans, the Big Game is a must-win.

Like the series against Notre Dame, Stanford has lost seven of the last nine games against Cal since the 2002 season. 

It's time for the Cardinal to sit atop the throne in this storied rivalry.

This season's match-up is crucial to the Pac-12 race. Stanford will be in a heated race against the Oregon Ducks to win the North Division Championship and a berth in the Pac-12 title game.

The Cardinal simply can't lose to Cal. It's unacceptable no matter the expectations or circumstances.

3. Injuries on the Offensive Line

Any injury suffered along the offensive line will be a tremendous blow to the Cardinal offense.

The team only has two returning starters on the line in LT Jonathan Martin and RG David DeCastro.

If either of those guys or any of the other three go down at any point in the season, the offense may sputter.

The success of first-year head coach David Shaw largely rests on the collective shoulders of his offensive line.

2. An Injury to Andrew Luck

Andrew Luck is, hands down, the best quarterback in the nation.

He may even be the best quarterback in Stanford history (sorry, John Elway).

Andrew Luck is the engine behind the Cardinal offense.

Stanford goes as he goes.

The overall success of the team is largely on Andrew Luck and he knows it.

Besides continuing to play well, the other thing he must do is avoid injury at all costs.

It would be a devastating blow to the program if he were to go down with a serious injury.

It would also push him out of the running for the Heisman Trophy which many expect him to win this season.

1. Not Qualifying for a BCS Game

Stanford is coming off a 2010 season in which it finished with a 12-1 record after beating Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl.

With Andrew Luck deciding to return to school, expectations for the team soared despite the departure of Jim Harbaugh to the San Fransisco 49ers.

One of the expectations that has been placed on the program is to make a return trip to a BCS game.

That is a steep challenge with the old Pac-10 having become the Pac-12 with two divisions and a championship game.

However, the team has the talent and experience to overcome the obstacles and reach its BCS dream.