Stanford Football: 2017 Cardinal season preview, predictions
By Zach Bigalke
Offense
Last year Keller Chryst barely played in the first half of the season. With Ryan Burns leading the offense, Stanford went 4-3. They lacked a dynamic presence at quarterback, as Burns was prone to taking sacks and throwing picks. That changed once Chryst came in after the Colorado loss and turned around Cardinal fortunes. Chryst returns, with K.J. Costello waiting in the wings.
Greater confidence at quarterback will help a receiving corps that brings back all of its main receiving threats. Trent Irwin and J.J. Arcega-Whiteside return at the starting receiver positions, while senior tight end Dalton Schultz offers another weapon. With a full season working with Chryst, the unit should be more productive than they were collectively in 2016.
Yet another veteran Stanford offensive line further benefits everyone. Redshirt senior David Bright will be protecting Chryst’s backside, and senior center Jesse Burkett is an early Rimington Award candidate. Nate Herbig, the only sophomore slated to start, earned six starts at left guard last year as a true freshman.
Out of McCaffrey’s shadow
The loss of Christian McCaffrey is not something to scoff about. Setting aside his ability to change the complexion of a contest in the return game, McCaffrey was a dual threat unlike many others. An electric rushing threat, McCaffrey also added nearly 1,000 receiving yards and eight touchdown catches in his last 25 games.
Bryce Love is slated to take over primary rushing duties for the Cardinal in 2017. Love averaged over seven yards per carry in his first two seasons spelling McCaffrey, serving as a dynamic understudy. Now that Love is an upperclassman, look for him to capitalize on increased playing time to become one of the Pac-12’s best dual-threat running backs.