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Autzen Zoo Pac-12 Preview: Stanford Cardinal Remain The Standard

By Justin Phillips

EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 22: Head coach David Shaw of the Stanford Cardinal looks up at the scoreboard in the third quarter of the game against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Eugene, Oregon. Stanford won the game in overtime 38-31. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 22: Head coach David Shaw of the Stanford Cardinal looks up at the scoreboard in the third quarter of the game against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Eugene, Oregon. Stanford won the game in overtime 38-31. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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The Pac-12 North will have several contenders this season, and the Stanford Cardinal again are in the mix.

The Stanford Cardinal finished third in the Pac-12 North last season with losses at home vs Utah and in their matchup with a 5th ranked Notre Dame team that stood out. The Cardinal have been the standard of the run and gun offense in the Pac-12 consistently, while the rest of the conference has now started to find their way.

Oregon Football has instilled a similar philosophy under Mario Cristobal along with the rest of the conference as the gap is now starting to close.

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The headache named Bryce Love has departed for the NFL, but the Cardinal still have some weapons, including Quarterback KJ Costello and Tight End Colby Parkinson. The Offensive Line may be their biggest question mark entering the season. For all the talent at Running Back, they averaged a meager 4 yards per carry last season which did not get the job done.

Stanford enters 2019 ranked 23rd in the Coaches Poll and clearly has some work to do if they want to make a move this season. Cameron Scarlett will likely be the starter this season. Some are comparing him to another well known former Cardinal in Tyler Gaffney.

The Cardinal also lost key players to the NFL in their Wide Receiver Corps including JJ Arcega-Whiteside, but the team still has speed at the position, but now a lack of experience that will likely get better as the season goes on. Freshman Elijah Higgins may be the deep ball threat to keep an eye on this season.

Stanford was picked to finish third in the Pac-12 North behind Washington and Oregon. If Head Coach David Shaw can work out some of the kinks early, the team may pull a few surprises.Oregon and Stanford will meet to open Pac-12 play and the Ducks remember last season well. Oregon lost at home in overtime to the Cardinal. The game is on the farm this season and the Cardinal would like nothing more than to give the Ducks an early conference loss.

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