Stanford Football: Top 3 post-spring 2022 storylines to follow

PALO ALTO, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Head Coach David Shaw of the Stanford Cardinal waits to lead his team onto the field before the start of the 124th Big Game between Stanford and the California Golden Bears played on November 20, 2021 at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, California; visible players include Walter Rouse #75, Ryan Johnson #23, Nicolas Toomer #24, Levani Damuni #3, Gabe Reid #90. (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images) /

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Oct 8, 2021; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Stanford Cardinal head coach David Shaw looks on against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the first half at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Can David Shaw right the ship?

Before Jim Harbaugh, Stanford had one 10-win season in 35 years. After Harbaugh, it was questioned whether or not Stanford would return to such a stretch. In came David Shaw, and those doubts were silenced.

With three Rose Bowl appearances in his first five years, Shaw made it clear that Stanford wasn’t going anywhere.

Then Stanford started to go somewhere.

It started without much of a noticeable decline; a 10-win season, two nine-win seasons, a few Sun Bowl victories, and a Pac-12 Championship Game appearance. Still amazing for Stanford’s previous standards, however, a bit of a step back from what it was.

Then, things hit hard; with just 11 wins in the past three seasons, it has gotten real ugly real fast.

Shaw isn’t on the hot seat quite yet; after all, he is the winningest coach in school history. With that title, though, comes the expectation that the team will compete for the Pac-12 title, something they have not done recently.

It won’t be easy, especially with a tough schedule, but it’s about time that Shaw displays his brilliance and has a successful season.

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