The Fate of the Cardinal

Often times, sports journalists and announcers seem to only know how to speak in hyperbole. If we as viewers were to believe everything that we heard from different media outlets, we would believe that we were witnessing history just about every weekend. The first example that comes to mind is the Alabama vs. LSU game this past weekend. Promoted as "the best 1 vs. 2 matchup in a decade" for 2 weeks straight, the game really wasn't that great to watch, and because of the ridiculousness that is the BCS, we may be watching the exact same game in a couple of months. Sometimes though, there are games that do truly change the course of college programs and college football itself. I believe the Stanford vs. Oregon game this weekend falls into that category. The implications of this game are huge for Stanford, and in turn, the future of the West Coast college football landscape. Assuming that Stanford will beat 2 average teams in Cal and Notre Dame, here are just a few things this weekend's game will most likely determine:




1. Andrew Luck for Heisman? With an undefeated record, Luck will be the most obvious choice for Heisman since Adrian Peterson didn't win it his freshman season.
2. When Oklahoma State loses, which they will, Stanford will have a chance to win its first national championship since 1940.
3. If they are able to pull this off after Jim Harbaugh's departure, more people. most importantly recruits, will see Stanford as a stable national powerhouse
4. Andrew Luck will get more face-time on ESPN than LeBron during the summer of THE DECISION.

If all of these things come to be, Stanford will have to be viewed, along with Oregon, as the most prominent football program on the West Coast. With the amount of football talent present in California, if Stanford can control the West Coast recruiting scene, Pac-12 Championships should become a dime a dozen for the Cardinal. Of course, this could all be ruined if Stanford decides to blow another lead against Oregon, but I just do not think this Andrew Luck is capable of losing this season.

Also, Andrew Luck is a redshirt Junior still. Why has no one entertained the possibility of him coming back next year??? If I just blew your mind, you're welcome and I apologize. Enjoy the game this weekend, and always remember,
RABOB.

p.s.- Since we are talking about Stanford, I have to take this opportunity to make a little fun of my friend Henry Anderson almost getting his first TD earlier this season. There is always next time, but probably not.