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Stanford named most improved team in the Pac-12
Most pundits agree that Stanford is going to be a much better team in 2015 than they were last season. How much better they can be is up for debate and will ultimately determine how far the Cardinal can go this season.
Sports Illustrated's Colin Becht recently profiled the Pac-12 conference and named Stanford as the conference's most improved team. Here's his explanation:
"After winning 11 or more games for the prior four seasons, the Cardinal fell to a merely above-average 8–5 record last season. Expect a return to double-digit victories this fall and possibly a run to the Pac-12 title game. It’s no secret Stanford’s offensive success is predicated upon an effective ground game, something the Cardinal lacked for much of last season (they averaged just 2.92 yards per carry in losses to USC, Notre Dame, Arizona State and Oregon). They found a groove late in the season as Christian McCaffrey's workload increased. After bulking up to 205 pounds, McCaffrey is ready to be a workhorse back. His power running should allow quarterback Kevin Hogan to build on the success he found at the end of the season. Although the Cardinal return just four defensive starters, they’ve repeatedly proven their ability to maintain dominance with new bodies, and leading tackler Blake Martinez gives defensive coordinator Lance Anderson a star to build around."
The Cardinal are expected to compete with the Oregon Ducks for the Pac-12 North crown.
(h/t Sports Illustrated)
