Big Game analysis: Stanford has changed its style to fit talent
During Stanford’s bowl era, the Cardinal’s success has been largely built around a powerful running game and a strong defense.
This year’s team has neither.
It is 7-4, having lost only to teams currently ranked among the top 17 in the country. It didn’t win its division in the Pac-12 and will go to a middling bowl game. Based on its high standards, it’s been a second straight down year.
Winning the Big Game for the ninth straight time would certainly help. It would also mean sweeping Cal, USC and UCLA for the third time in four years. Losing to the Bears would mean a second five-loss season in a row for the first time in the bowl era.