Checkin’ on the Pac: Stanford

Our Pac-10 interviews keep on rolling with our latest subject being Tom FitzGerald of the San Francisco Chronicle, who covers the Stanford Cardinal. In this sixth edition of the 2009 Checkin’ on the Pac series, FitzGerald addresses the question mark surrounding Stanford at quarterback and their improved defense. Thanks to Tom for taking the time to address some of our question regarding the Trees and the state of their program.

Q: The Cardinal has been improving steadily in Jim Harbaugh’s first two years in Palo Alto without consistent play from the quarterback position. Will they finally get that this year with Andrew Luck, Tavita Pritchard, or Alex Loukas.

A: All indications are that it will be Luck, who has a rifle arm and was the top QB prospect out of Texas two years ago. He’s looking great in practice, but you never know about somebody who will be taking his first college snap in three weeks at Washington State.

Q: Toby Gerhart wasn’t highly recruited out of high school, and yet, has become one of the best running backs in the Pac-10. What makes him so dangerous?

A: Gerhart is an impressive physical specimen who combines brute power with speed, but more than that it’s his ability to find holes and follow blockers that makes him dangerous.

Q: Stanford’s passing game has been shaky the past few years. Is that due to the quarterback or poor wide receivers?

A: Both, along with protection breakdowns. Tavita Pritchard has not been an accurate thrower, and the receivers have lacked reliable hands or the ability to separate.

Q: The offensive line loses two starters from a year ago. Do you anticipate a major drop off in production from the running game?

A: Maybe a little, because last year’s rushing total was second best in school history. I think they’ll try to balance the rushing with more passing, now that Luck will be the guy. They may well have two redshirt freshman starters, tackle Jonathan Martin and guard David DeCastro, and a new center calling the blocking schemes, Chase Beeler, who was at guard last year.

Q: The defense is getting a fair amount of pub this offseason with eight returners. How good do you anticipate it being in 2009?

A: The line should be good, especially with Ekom Udofia at nose tackle and Erik Lorig at one end. Clinton Snyder at MLB and Bo McNally at FS should be solid. But we don’t know how converted offensive players Richard Sherman (CB) and Delano Howell (SS) will do. They seem to have a lot more depth than they did the last couple of years.

Q: What are your thoughts on the Jim Harbaugh era so far?

A: So far, so good, I’d say. He took a one-win team and three years later should have them in a bowl game. They could have been in a bowl last year if it hadn’t been for a couple of late collapses. He’s a hell of a recruiter, and I think in Luck he finally has a quarterback who will let him open up the offense. Now, how far Luck progresses in his first year is anybody’s guess.

Q: How did Stanford, with the school’s tough academic standards and recent performances, manage to haul in a 15th ranked recruiting class?

A: That’s the charm of Harbaugh, but he has a lot to sell: one of the world’s great universities, a gorgeous campus, excellent weather and — relative to other schools — probably the chance to play right away.

Q: Why is the interst level so low regarding Stanford football? I thought by downsizing the stadium they’d sell out, but they averaged just 34,258 per game last year – 67th in the FBS.

A: People in the Bay Area will follow a winner, but if you’re a loser, you’re in trouble at the gate. There are too many other sports offerings in the area to invest in a loser. Plus, Stanford’s enrollment is just 14,000, and most of their alumni live around the country. So there isn’t a huge alum base to draw from, at least in contrast to Cal. Finally, I’m not sure their football marketing has been top-notch.

Q: After glancing into your crystal ball, how do you see the 2009 Stanford Cardinal finishing this year?

A: 6-6 with a lesser bowl, which I think they could win, so 7-6.