Know The Enemy 2025: Leland Stanford Junior University
"Why won't you go play with the neighbors?"
This week we are joined by the relentless optimists of the Gate 13 Podcast.
1. How are the vibes in Palo Alto this season?
Mostly terrible. A little less terrible than the last few seasons because we now have hope that the school may finally be committed to becoming good at football again. We have a new president, a new athletic director, the return of Andrew Luck, and some big donations. But for now, the football is still miserable to watch.
2. How do you balance the heated and enduring rivalry with Cal with the new reality that the programs are seemingly in this together? Odd new sensation?
We’d drop you guys in a heartbeat if it meant getting into a better conference. You know you’d do the same.
3. What are the feelings towards Frank Reich, and who are some folks you guys would be excited about for the long term?
After the Taylor mess, this was always a throwaway season for us. Reich is stuck with Taylor’s staff and a transfer exodus, so any real improvement this season was unlikely. We appreciate that Reich came to help out, and our impression is that the players like him. So we thank him for his service to the program and we wish him the best.
There are smarter people than us with long and well informed wish lists. Luck is playing this close to the vest, so no one knows how realistic any of the names are. We’re hoping for someone who has already won at a high level as a head coach, can bring in a quality staff, and regards Stanford as a destination job. Kyle Smith, but for football.
4. Offensive player to watch?
Our offense has been bad, but transfer wide receiver CJ Williams has been a nice bright spot. He was previously at USC and Wisconsin and didn’t do much at either stop, but he’s currently tied for eighth in the ACC in receiving yards, and he has four 100+ yard games for us in an offense that struggles to do anything well.
5. Defensive player to watch?
The defense has been a little better than the offense this year, but there haven’t really been superstars because we don’t get many takeaways, sacks, or tackles for loss.
Our run defense is a relative bright spot (#40 nationally in yards allowed per rush attempt), so we’ll highlight inside linebackers Jahsiah Galvan and Matt Rose. They’re our top two tacklers, they’re #3 and #4 overall on our defensive PFF grades, and they each have a forced fumble this season.
6. What does Cal need to do to win this game?
Score some points? Even a few? Our offense is one of the worst in America, and we beat Boston College and Florida State because the defense held on and made big plays. Take care of the ball and score a couple touchdowns and you’ll be in good shape.
7. We don’t advocate for violence around here, but who would you like to punch in the face?
Troy Taylor, probably? You can keep him. That guy sucks.
"We’d drop you guys in a heartbeat if it meant getting into a better conference. You know you’d do the same."
Objectively an untrue statement. Thanks for taking us with you to the ACC, Stanford.
You’re quite an entertaining writer (“why won’t you go play with the neighbors?”). Being that it’s the Big Game, and the way games have gone for the GB’s this season, and in the lexicon of WFC, I’m anticipating a Rock Fight/Bizzarro game that Cal somehow manages to win. For once, prove me wrong Bears, please!