Nothing is set in stone, however, as rosters and depth charts continue to evolve over the summer.

Overview

The Tree are on a seven-game losing streak and averaged just 11.8 points per game over their last five contests. Not counting the three-point loss to Washington State in mid-October, the Cardinal have been outscored 69-to-221 since their last victory.

The current state of the program is in stark contrast to the image of Stanford Football from the last decade, when David Shaw led the Tree to three Rose Bowls and five 10-plus win seasons.

Gone are the days when Stanford was the face of the Pac-12: Behold the stark reality that’s befallen a once mighty program.

But the tide may be turning.

And boosted by one of the top quarterbacks in the Pac-12 in Tanner McKee, the Cardinal have a shot to compete for a bowl game in 2022.

Best-Case Scenario

Led by Elijah Higgins, the group makes enough plays in open space and after the catch to help the junior quarterback eclipse 3,000 yards passing.

John Humphreys, Brycen Tremayne, and Michael Wilson combine for the lion’s share of the yardage and touchdowns, while tight end Benjamin Yurosek proves why he is one of the top TE’s in the entire country.

The passing game is bolstered by an improved offensive line, led by Walter Rouse, Myles Hinton, and Branson Bragg. With four starters back up front, the unit’s cohesiveness and chemistry provide extra time for McKee to do damage.

In the run game, E.J. Smith shines as the primary back behind the improved front line.

The result is a polished offense that has quick-strike potential and high red zone efficiency.

On the other side of the ball, the secondary and linebackers corps lead a defense that holds opponents to around 25.0 points per game.

In the front seven, experienced linebackers Levani Damuni and Ricky Miezan anchor the defense, and true freshman David Bailey lives up to his ranking as the seventh-best edge rusher in his class.

The result is wins over Colgate, Washington, Oregon State, Arizona State, Washington State, and California.

Worst-Case Scenario

The talent at quarterback, tight end, and wide receiver is squandered without an adequate run game, making Stanford’s play calling just as predictable as it was last year.

Smith is humbled in his first season as the starter on the Farm, boxed in with questionable play calling and an offensive system that doesn’t adjust to the talent on its roster.

Ending with only three wins, the season is a lost cause that produces legitimate questions about the direction of the program moving forward.

What Should Happen

Stanford’s O-Line was serviceable at times last season, helping to produce victories over USC and Oregon. The unit returns four starters and has three stalwarts capable of an All-Conference season in Rouse, Hinton, and Bragg.

Although run blocking was a problem last year, the issues were arguably related to scheme and play-calling that should be improved in 2022.

The Tree have too many deadly receivers and a tight end that shouldn’t be limited by an offensive series that features a run on first and second down.

With so many weapons to pass to, the Stanford coaching staff should scheme up plays focused on exploiting the middle of the field with their talented receivers and Yurosek.

What Must Happen

Players must emerge in the trench or Shaw and the Tree could be in for another rough year.

Greatest Strength

The wide receiver unit is as deep as they come in the Pac-12 and Yurosek might be the top tight end in the Conference.

Mixed with the talent of McKee, the offensive group rivals that of any other team in the Conference of Champions.

On defense, Shaw’s secondary is more than respectable. Last season, the unit was the No. 4 passing defense in the Conference, holding opponents to 215.6 yards passing per game.

Kelly is a Top 2 cornerback in the Pac-12, while Williamson is one of the strongest safeties. With the addition of Oklahoma transfer Fields, the DBs promise to once again be the defense’s bread and butter.

Biggest Concern

The offensive line struggled to run block effectively, arguably contributing to the transfers of Nathaniel Peat and Austin Jones.

The issues up front have to be confounding considering the experience and talent in the group, which arguably points to play calling and scheme as a contributing factor.

Altering the traditional Stanford offensive scheme seems to be a potential solution, where a greater focus on the passing game could lead to more effective runs.

This season, Smith should be a capable primary option in the backfield with Casey Filkins as the No. 2 threat. But without much experience between either of them, the unit has to be high on Shaw’s list of concerns.

Deciding Factors

The run game wasn’t working, yet the Tree continued to keep its balanced run-pass ratio. The play calling averaged a 54-percent pass to 46-percent run split over the season, despite the ground game putting up just 87.3 yards per game.

With dangerous receivers and an All-Conference tight end to pass to, that ratio can’t stay the same in 2022. The Tree’s RBs are mostly unproven and its front line hasn’t shown to be capable run blockers.

But McKee is a talented quarterback that has the height to carve up opposing secondaries if given the opportunity. Mix in the speed and skill of his options, and the answer to Stanford’s offensive woes seems fairly obvious.

The question becomes: Will Shaw make the change?

Schedule Analysis

The season opens with a buy-game against Colgate, but is followed by a series of tough games.

With an opening four games like that, a 1-3 mark wouldn’t be a shock.

It doesn’t get easier, either, with a showdown against Oregon State and a road game at Notre Dame. At best, a 3-3 start to the year is all that can be reasonably expected, while a 1-5 record is not out of the question.

The following three weeks feature winnable games on the Farm against Arizona State and Washington State, with a contest at UCLA sandwiched in between.

The Sun Devils might have a down year and the Cougs are a wildcard, creating a legitimate expectation to go 2-1 over this stretch.