Top 10 college football teams desperately needing great spring practice

Nov 22, 2014; Berkeley, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Remound Wright (22) scored his fourth touchdown of the day during the fourth quarter against the California Golden Bears at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

Stanford Cardinal

After winning the Pac-12 in 2013, the Cardinal had a less than stellar 2014 campaign, as they won only eight games. The Cardinal finished the season with a 45-21 victory over Maryland in the 2014 Foster Farms bowl. Stanford has been in the national spotlight for a few years now, and last season was the school’s worst since 2009.

David Shaw has been a great replacement for Jim Harbaugh, thus far, but the 2014 campaign told a different story, as Shaw watched his Cardinal lose close games to USC, Notre Dame, and Utah. Although the Cardinal lost a few close games, Stanford was badly beaten by Oregon, a team they typically hold their own against. In 2014, the Ducks beat the Cardinal for the first time since the 2012 season.

Many attribute Stanford’s success against Oregon to their former defensive coordinator and current Vanderbilt head coach, Derek Mason. During Mason’s tenure as the Cardinal’s head coach, the Ducks only averaged seventeen points against Stanford. Stanford won both contests against Oregon, during Mason’s tenure as defensive coordinator of the Cardinal. Mason took the Vanderbilt head coaching job before the 2014 season.

This spring brings some hope for the Cardinal in 2015. Stanford’s senior quarterback, Keith Hogan, is returning for his senior season, and with that, a lot of Cardinal fans have hope of a great season. Coach David Shaw and the Cardinal are looking to get at it this spring, after a less than impressive 2014 season.

Next: Tennessee Volunteers