Stanford Football: 3 things we learned from win over Rice

How will Stanford football replace Christian McCaffrey? By letting Bryce Love and Cameron Scarlett go off against the Rice. Here’s what we learned from Saturday’s game.

Before David Shaw, it’s hard to find Stanford with double-digit wins in a season. Since Bill Walsh’s first stint, it’s been him in 1992 and Jim Harbaugh in 2010 until Shaw. He has won 10-plus games in five of the past six seasons as the head coach of the Cardinal. What has Shaw done that’s so spectacular?

More: Stanford Cardinal: 2017 season predictions, preview

It’s his commitment to the core that Harbaugh set up there in Northern California. The use of the high IQ player to be able to run a more complicated, pro-style scheme with multiple personnel groupings and formations.

Shaw has cornered the smart jock market and has benefited from student-athletes with a strong work ethic and a willingness to sit and wait behind older star players. Here’s what we learned during the quick destruction of the Rice Owls.

3. Bryce Love, Cameron Scarlett can handle the McCaffrey role

Bryce Love came out and broke off a 62-yard run to get Stanford to the Rice 13 before a Keller Chryst touchdown pass to freshman tight end Colby Parkinson. Love only needed 11 carries to account for 176 yards (16 yards per carry) and a touchdown before seemingly being shut down (he played minimally in the second half). He was aided by Scarlett’s three first half rushing scores and Stanford was up 38-0 at the half.

The Cardinal have benefited from having guys like Love willing to wait for their turn. Love did a great job in 2016 backing up McCaffrey while averaging 7.0 yards per carry and earning Pac-12 Honorable Mention. The 5-foot-10, 184-pound Human Biology major will do great things in 2017.