Stanford’s offense faces all of the same challenges as last year, and without many of the saving graces that made them so dangerous. As discussed in my summer preview, this roster entered the year in a tight spot between the loss of several transformational skill players and problems in recruitment; at this point a frightening amount of injuries has left its current state a shadow of the brutally effective offense of the past decade.
The core of Coach Shaw’s offensive identity is running the ball with power, with a 50/50 split between shotgun and under-center snaps, usually with multiple in-line tight ends.