Stanford Cardinal Football 2011 Preview, Predictions, Picks, Odds | Sportsbookbuzz.com

Stanford Cardinal Football 2011 Preview, Predictions, Picks, Odds

As the 2011 NCAA Football Season approaches, we are providing season previews for every college football teams to give you the betting edge. Follow the best College Football Handicappers as they analyze their teams in this 2011 season preview. Be sure to bookmark SportsbookBuzz.com your source for Sportsbook Reviews. Use our comprehensive and insider info to bet successfully on the College Football in our recommend sportsbooks.View the rest of our 2011 NCAA Football Season Previews here.

2010 Record: 12-1 PAC 12 Record: 8-1 (2nd) 2011 Returning Starters: 12; 5 offense, 6 defense, punter

Coach: David Shaw, First Season

Offensive Coordinators: Pep Hamilton Defensive Coordinators: Derek Mason, Jason Tarver

2011 Stanford Players to Watch: QB Andrew Luck, RB Stepfan Taylor, TE Coby Fleener, LT Jonathan Martin, RG David DeCastro, LB Shayne Skov, LB Chase Thomas, SS Delano Howell

2011 Stanford Strengths:
Luck has the ability to make plays with his arm, legs and mind. The Cardinal’s power running game with Taylor fuels adevastating play-action game. DeCastro and Martin are two of the best linemen in the country. The defense is fundamentally sound and has a bevy of playmakers.

2011 Stanford Weaknesses:
Complacency, for starters. There’s also the not-insignificant matter of replacing three starters on the offensive line, including All-American center Chase Beeler. Big-play WR Chris Owusu is injury prone. The defense may be vulnerable up the middle. Cornerback is a perpetual concern for the Cardinal.

2011 Stanford Offense:

With quarterback Andrew Luck’s surprising return to Palo Alto, Stanford should once again have one of the nation’s top offenses. The Cardinal need to replace receivers Doug Baldwin and Ryan Whalen, but senior Chris Owusu is healthy again after getting into just eight games last season. Owusu is a big-play threat who adds a different dimension to the offense. As good as Luck is he was expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft had he left school he has benefited the past two seasons from one of the most dominant offensive lines in the country. That unit will have to undergo some rebuilding as it loses three starters, including first-team All-America center Chase Beeler. But two other All-Pac-10 first-team selections left tackle Jonathan Martin and right guard David DeCastro return to The Farm. The Cardinal should once again have a strong running attack, led by 1,000-yard rusher Stepfan Taylor. Stanford can go four-deep at tailback, where it returns over 90 percent of its rushing yards from last season. The Cardinal also have a deep group of tight ends, led by Coby Fleener and Zach Ertz. And that’s not even counting Levine Toilolo, who was Stanford’s projected starter before suffering a season-ending injury last year. But it all revolves around Luck, who enters the season as a Heisman Trophy favorite after finishing as the runner-up to Auburn’s Cam Newton last season.

2011 Stanford Defense:

The Cardinal showed immense improvement from 2009 and have the pieces in place to have another strong defense. Inside linebacker Shayne Skov finished the season on a strong note and should be one of the conference’s top defensive players. Stanford also is solid in the back line with returning safeties Delano Howell and Michael Thomas. Cornerback Richard Sherman will be missed, however. The Cardinal face the difficult task of replacing nose tackle Sione Fua, who consistently commanded double-teams. Incoming freshman James Vaughters could get into the playing rotation immediately at linebacker. Stanford also will be adjusting to new defensive coordinator Derek Mason, who replaced Vic Fangio when he followed Jim Harbaugh to the San Francisco 49ers.

2011 Stanford Special Teams:

Punter Daniel Zychlinski returns, hoping to improve on his 41.8-yard average, but Stanford must replace placekicker Nate Whitaker, who was 17 of 19 on field goal attempts last year. His younger brother, Eric, will compete with Jordan Williamson for the job. Drew Terrell showed promise as a punt returner, a position that has long been problematic for Stanford. Owusu is one of the most devastating kick returners in the country – if he’s healthy.

2011 Stanford Football Schedule | Stanford Football Sportsbooks

2011 Stanford Predictions:

The Cardinal have the personnel and experience to make another run at a BCS game, but the biggest question is how they will function in the absence of Harbaugh, who set a certain tone and culture for the program. New head coach David Shaw was Harbaugh’s offensive coordinator, so there is some continuity there. The Cardinal should once again put up a lot of points. If they can withstand the losses of Fua, Sherman and inside linebacker Owen Marecic on defense, they should challenge Oregon for the Pac-12 North title. Stanford’s only loss last season was at Oregon, and the Cardinal get the Ducks at home this season.

2011 Stanford Betting Odds:

Stanford Current odds to win a National Championship: +1800

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NCAA Football Handicapping Picks

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