Stanford began 2015 rebuilding its defense. As the season progressed, however, the Cardinal changed the plan. It stopped the meticulous process of rebuilding, picked up its hammers, lumber and architectural designs and instead employed them to relentlessly pound the collective noggins of opposing offenses.
Just ask Colorado, which scored a touchdown on its first possession last Saturday but managed only three more points in a 42-10 defeat.
"They are the most physical football team we will play this year, or I think we’ve played since I’ve been here, by far," Buffaloes coach Mike MacIntyre said.
Stanford not only lost eight starters from its 2014 defense, which was by far the best unit in the Pac-12, it lost pretty much all of its star power, as those loses included three All-Pac-12 players and three others who earned honorable mention.