Evaluating the Top 10 Groups of FBS Returning Starters in 2017

Washington broke the streak of Pac-12 championships for Stanford, but the Cardinal should be right back in the thick of things in 2017. David Shaw’s team will lose all-purpose threat Christian McCaffrey to the NFL, but thanks to the return of Bryce Love the backfield should be just fine. Love is one of eight returning starters on offense for Stanford, which includes quarterbacks Ryan Burns and Keller Chryst.

Whichever gets the starting nod this year, he should benefit from another stout defense. The Cardinal conceded fewer than three touchdowns per game on average, and with eight players returning on that side of the ball they will remain a formidable test for every opponent on their schedule. While they will still be tested by Washington (and an Oregon team that returns more talent than any other Pac-12 team), Stanford has the talent back to contend for the Pac-12 North.