Here’s what to watch for in the annual Stanford Cardinal Spring Game on Saturday afternoon.
After recording yet another 10-win season last year, the Stanford Cardinal enter 2017 as one of the top contenders in the Pac-12 North.
Despite having what many considered to be somewhat of a down year, Stanford went 10-3 for its fifth double-digit win campaign in six seasons under head coach David Shaw. Blowout losses to Washington and Washington State kept the Cardinal from contending for a major bowl, but Stanford won six in a row to close out the season ranked 12th in the AP Poll.
While losing star running back Christian McCaffrey is a big blow, Stanford returns 15 starters from last year’s team and figures to open the season ranked close to the top 10. Still, Shaw has some concerns to address at key positions, and an early season showdown with USC looms on Sept. 9.
With a number of starting jobs including quarterback potentially up for grabs, Stanford’s Spring Game will be worth keeping an eye on. The annual Cardinal and White Spring Game is set for Saturday, April 15 at 4:00 p.m. Eastern at Cagan Stadium, where fans will get an early look at the 2017 roster.
Here’s are the five most important storylines to watch for the Cardinal on Saturday.
5. Is there any depth at running back?
While Bryce Love looks like a capable enough replacement for McCaffrey, Shaw will want to get a good look at what else is on the running back depth chart.
Love received a fair amount of playing time as McCaffrey’s backup in 2016 with 111 carries for 783 yards and three touchdowns, including an excellent performance in the Sun Bowl win over North Carolina. Matching McCaffrey’s sheer all-around production is going to be impossible, but Love has terrific speed and ability in the open field, making him a strong big play threat.
Of course, Stanford’s offense is also going to feature a more short-yardage back. Cameron Scarlett looks like the clear favorite to receive snaps in such situations at 6-1, 220 pounds, although he has just 38 carries for 117 yards in his career.
The Cardinal will also get an extended look at Trevor Speights and Dorian Maddox, both of whom took redshirts a year ago. Speights has some intriguing upside in particular as a four-star recruit who averaged 13.7 yards per carry as a high school senior in Texas, and the extra depth he provides will be critical in case Love or Scarlett goes down with an injury.
Stanford has more questions at the other skill positions, so a strong running game will once again be the major key for the offense in 2017.