– Last Updated on August 28, 2018 9:38 am
2018 Football Preview – Pac-12 – Cardinal
Looking for 2018 Stanford Cardinal predictions? The Cardinal were the big kid on the block for a while in the Pac-12 North division, what with Washington figuring out its full-scale rebuild and Oregon – long a power in the Chip Kelly years – also needing to hit the reset button. But everyone is catching up to Stanford, and the Cardinal, despite having a great program shepherded by steady Eddy head coach David Shaw, have their share of questions that need to be answered.
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2018-19 College Football Preview – Stanford Cardinal
Head Coach: David Shaw
2017 Record: 9-5
Stanford Cardinal Odds to win the 2018 FBS Championship: +3300
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Stanford has been to the most Pac-12 title games (four) since its inception in 2011, representing the North division frequently. The formula the Cardinal have relied upon is a disruptive defense and a consistent run attack.
This Stanford team definitely has the running game with superstar Bryce Love, but the defense is likely the A-1 concern with David Shaw’s squad.
It’ll probably take more scoring than usual for the Stanford Cardinal to represent the Pac-12 North once again when the chips are down.
2018 Stanford Cardinal Predictions: Team Strengths
Show Me Some Love: After a 2017 where he amassed 2,118 yards, second-most in conference history, and a record 13 runs of 50 yards or more, senior Bryce Love is clearly a Heisman Trophy front-runner.
Stanford should thank its lucky stars that Love decided to come back to school. Love also racked up 19 TDs and is a threat to score anytime he’s toting the rock.
His dominance is buttressed by a massive offensive line, led by 6″4, 348-lb (gosh, he could lay waste to a Cracker Barrel) guard Nate Herbig and LT Walker Little, who has the NFL written all over him.
Seniors Jesse Burkett (center) and A.T. Hall (tackle) are also cogs on a big, strong unit. The massive holes certainly help Love make the most of his prodigious ability.
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Kizer was much more efficient in the spring game, but it’s unknown who will get the starting job. However, having this dilemma is quite the blessing as either QB can lead this team to an impressive season.
Spreading the Ball Around?: Junior returning starter QB K.J. Costello should have options in the passing game; Love has talked about getting more involved catching the football in 2018, so his threat joins TE Kaden Smith, who chipped in with 414 yards and five scores a year ago.
The solid wide receivers are J.J. Arcega-Whiteside and Trenton Irwin, who both grabbed over 40 receptions each. Arcega-Whiteside is more of a downfield threat while Irwin is a steady possession guy.
Costello showed progress a year ago before a hip injury derailed his momentum, so he has the pieces and with those “hog maulies” in the trenches, he should have the time in the pocket in which to operate.
2018 Stanford Cardinal Predictions: Team Weaknesses
Unsure Defense (For Once): Finding offensive balance is critical for this team because, although Stanford normally hangs its hat on defense (and running game, of course), the unit surrendered 22.7 points per game last year, as well as almost six yards per play – its highest total in over 10 years.
As the stats indicate, 2017’s defense wasn’t even that great, but the three best players from that group – S Justin Reid, CB Quenton Meeks and NT Harrison Phillips – opted to enter the NFL Draft early.
For defensive co-ordinator Lance Anderson to right the ship, the Cards need LB Bobby Okereke to truly emerge. The senior has the size and the mobility to be a difference maker. Elsewhere, CB Alijah Holder is very talented, but injuries have plagued him since arriving in Palo Alto.
New faces will need to emerge if Shaw and his staff doesn’t want the offense to do all the heavy lifting.
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Oft-injured Holder is the best representative in the secondary, so defending the pass is a major concern for this Stanford team.
Stanford Cardinal Prediction: 9-3
Notre Dame figures to be in more close games once again.
They were 4-2 last season in one possession games and based on their offensive 2nd half performances, they were never out of a game.
Schedule wise they get zero favors. At Texas to start the season and at USC to close things out with Michigan State and a tough ACC schedule through it all doesn’t help out any cause.
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Getting Costello healthy and effective is a massive priority for Stanford this season; all the offensive balance will flow through the junior.
2018 Stanford Cardinal Football Schedule
- 8/31/18 9:00 PM ET SDSU
- 9/8/18 8:30 PM ET USC
- 9/15/18 2:00 PM ET UCD
- 9/22/18 TBD @ORE
- 9/29/18 7:30 PM ET @ND
- 10/6/18 TBD UTAH
- 10/18/18 9:00 PM ET @ASU
- 10/27/18 TBD WSU
- 11/3/18 TBD @WASH
- 11/10/18 TBD ORST
- 11/17/18 TBD @CAL
- 11/24/18 TBD @UCLA
What do you think about our 2018 Stanford Cardinal predictions? Please leave us a comment below telling us how you think they’ll do in 2018!
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