Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Stanford Cardinal Football

Last night was a great Orange Bowl win for the Stanford Cardinals. After the break it seemed they could do no wrong. Andrew Luck put on a magnificent display of his football skills. His running skills, passing skills and his ability to read the defense were uncanny. He showed why he was a Heisman candidate.

The defensive line and offensive line for Stanford handily won the battle of the trenches allowing Luck the time to show case his abilities and gave the running backs huge holes to run through. On defense they killed the Hokies with 7 sacks and making TT run for his life while shutting down two fine running backs.

In spite of all that, the future for Stanford is up in the air. Four years ago they were 1-12 last night they finish their season 12-1 and have an uncertain future.

Coach Jim Harbough the architect of the Stanford turnaround holds all the answers and just like the Hokies who had no answers to Stanford, Harbough has no answers for Stanford.

Will he stay or will he leave, thats the question and after last nights game there was no shortage of reporters asking him the question of the hour. His reply was terse and to the point respect the game, respect the process.

I agree with him holding mum last night, he didnt want to overshadow the moment and take away from what his team accomplished. An Orange Bowl win and their first time in the top 5 since the early 1940s.

He will have to decide and what he decides ripples through the Cardinal Team. Andrew Luck was asked if he will go out early in the draft. It is assumed he would be the number 1 draft pick. He was not saying what he has decided or if he has decided. He did say what Harbough decides will have an impact on what he decides.

It is obvious that Harbough is being courted by big names with big pocket books. Given John Elway's new position with the Denver Broncos, I am sure he was there last night to do more than just cheer on his alma mater.

San Francisco would love him to replace fired coach Mike Singletary and see if Harbough can bring magic back to the 49rs like Bill Walsh did at Stanford then with San Francisco.

Michigan, Harbough's alma mater is expected to dismiss Rich Rod this week and of course it is anticipated they will try and lure Jim H back to where he played his college ball.

Stanford has accomplished so much these last 4 seasons, what the future holds no one knows, but the immediate answers reside with Jim Harbough and he isnt talking

No comments: