Expect a dropoff at Stanford

Among the major sports, college and pro, coaching makes a bigger difference in college football than any other. A great coach instills a will and an identity.

Which is why for once Phil Steele is right. He has Stanford at #16, much lower than most. Sporting News has them top five and winning the conference, not  the Ducks.

Stanford has some good players, and one great one, but Jim Harbaugh elevated that group in a way first-year head coach David Shaw cannot possibly duplicate.

Of course, people might have said the same thing about Chip Kelly. Especially after Boise.