If Stanford wants to build on their Rose Bowl winning season from a year ago a lot of pressure will be on a defense to improve and help out the offense.
Starters Returning: 6/11
Key Losses: DE Aziz Shittu, DE Brennan Scarlett, NG Nate Lohn, LB Kevin Anderson, LB Blake Martinez, CB Ronnie Harris, S Kodi Whitfield
Key Returnees: NG Solomon Thomas, LB Joey Alfieri, LB Kevin Palma, LB Peter Kalambayi, CB Alijah Holder, CB Quenton Meeks, CB Alameen Murphy, CB Terrence Alexander, S Dallas Lloyd
FEI Defense Rank: 60
S&P Defense Rank: 41
S&P Rush Rank: 65
S&P Pass Rank: 57
PPG: 22.