Stanford Football: 2017 Cardinal season preview, predictions

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
(Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

Defense

Yet again in 2016, Stanford fielded one of the top defenses in the Pac-12 and the entire nation. The Cardinal finished 22nd in sacks and held opponents under 145 rushing yards per game. They ranked in the top 20 in points allowed, holding opponents under three touchdowns per outing.

Stanford’s success was predicated in large part on a stifling front seven that returns all of its key players. Defensive tackle Harrison Phillips is an early dark-horse candidate for the Bednarik and Outland Awards for top defensive player and top lineman respectively. Peter Kalambayi made the Butkus Award watch list. The starting seven is loaded with senior talent, though the two-deep features far more sophomores behind them on the depth chart than David Shaw might like.

The defense’s 2016 performance was hardly a fluke, though. Few teams are as prepared as Stanford to handle the myriad varieties of offense practiced in the Pac-12. That should bode well in 2017 as they try to regain their crown.

How good is this secondary?

The Cardinal gave up over 220 passing yards per game last year, about middle of the road for FBS teams. That mark was over 50 yards more than conference champion Washington gave up en route to the College Football Playoff. But Stanford ranked 25th in passing efficiency defense, and feature one of the deepest secondaries in the league.

That unit is poised to improve even more in 2017. Two juniors, cornerback Quinton Meeks and strong safety Justin Reid, are on the Thorpe Award watch list. The two-deep is comprised of nothing but upperclassmen. Between the skill and experience on offer, Stanford has no excuses in pass coverage. If they are going to move back into the upper echelon nationally, this unit will need to step up its game further and shut down opponents.