Leland Stanford Junior University Defensive Preview

The defense that the Bears will score on repeatedly

The kneel out. Courtesy Rob Hwang

They stink. Fin.














*HQ is telling me that this won’t suffice. Damn. Well here we go.

Stanford’s defense has been a work in progress since Troy Taylor took the reigns in Palo Alto. This season, there’s been progress made in vaccum for Stanford, holding up well in spurts against the likes of Clemson, Syracuse, and Virginia Tech. On the other hand, they’ve also had games where the defense has been blitzed from the start and games felt over by halftime against SMU, NC State, and Notre Dame. All that to say, they’ve shown flashes of development this season but haven’t achieved consistently because there’s not enough talent. Well known ILB Tristan Sinclair is questionable for this game with an undisclosed injury, which will be something to monitor as Sinclair hasn’t played since going down on Nov.2 vs NC State. For what its worth, he was named a captain yesterday.

As we all know, the Big Game isn’t just about talent. It’s the willingness to win, reach an extra gear when completely spent physically, and making the play that will send you out as a Big Game Hero. No matter what the records say, the perceptions are, or what should’ve been, the objective is to break the hearts of those on the opposing sideline. Cal will have to recalibrate after a shellacking against Syracuse, facing off with a group that’s gettable but hungry.

The Basics

• Stanford is led by DC Bobby April in his second season,

  • April is now the primary leader for the defense after sharing some duties with Bob Gregory in 2023.

• The Cardinal run a 4-3 this season.

• Stanford gives up 34.6 ppg (last in the ACC).

  • Surrender 268 passing yards per game (16th in the ACC).

  • Allow 146.5 rushing yards per game (12th in the ACC).

• With a rash of injuries at the cornerback position, Stanford has had to retool and put some younger players into a trial by fire. Add in the loss of Tristan Sinclair and it’s been a lot of moving parts for a defense that can’t afford it.

A reflection of change in starters

Credit: Stanford Athletics

The Provisional Starters

OLB Ernest Cooper, DT Tobin Phillips, DT Anthony Franklin, OLB David Bailey

ILB Matt Rose, ILB Gaethan Bernadel, STAR Tevarua Tafiti

CB Brandon Nicholson, S Scotty Edwards, S Mitch Leighber, CB Aaron Morris with Darrius Davis coming in as an extra defensive back

Players/Personnel to Watch

This list feasibly starts and ends with David Bailey. He’s someone that can continually get in the backfield, set teams behind the chains, and has good enough athleticism to beat anyone on the field. He leads Stanford in TFL’s and sacks, and knowing Cal’s offensive line has had their struggles, most of the attention has to go to him. If he comes free at any point during the Big Game, Mike Bloesch will have to given an earful to the offensive line because he’s focal point A, B, and C. If other Stanford players make plays, especially along the front seven, you tip your hat while gritting your teeth. However, its paramount to take away Stanford’s best and even if Tristan Sinclair comes back, David Bailey has the higher ceiling off the edge.

Here’s a look at Stanford’s defense against Louisville last week
How Cal can win this game

Cal is decidedly the more talented team in this matchup. As we’ve seen this season, talent isn’t the sole indicator as to whether the Bears will get over the mountain top. Stanford outside of David Bailey is weak across the board, giving up chunk plays both on the ground and through the air.

One of the unknown outstanding factors is the weather. The forecast calls for an undetermined amount of rain with a changing atmospheric river in the area, which can change the game plan for Cal. The Bears haven’t been consistent running the football this year and they’ll need to be efficient as they’ve been all season if the rain comes and stays.

On the other hand, if the weather veers back towards the day being dry, Fernando Mendoza will have the intermediate part of the field open all day. I mean all day. Trond Grizzell who went over 100 yards and had two touchdowns still doesn’t have anyone to guard him. Jack Endries doesn’t have a Stanford linebacker athletic enough to keep up with him and if the Cardinal dedicate more attention to him, that allows the likes oh Nyziah Hunter, Tobias Merriweather, and Mikey Matthews to come underneath and generate yards after catch.

If Cal stays on their P’s and Q’s, they win this game and retain the Axe. What does that mean? Converting 3rd and shorts, punching the ball into the end zone to cap off drives, and most importantly don’t shoot yourself in the foot with penalties or doing too much while trying to make things happen.

The focus is on Cal. It always has been. They get to control the narrative about who they are the rest of this season. There’s no need to concern ourselves with the names of speed bumps on Saturday. If the Bears are who they say they are, they’ll make Stanford want to quit in the second half. Inflict so much ill will that the fans from Palo Alto regret buying tickets.

To be clear, I don’t just want it. I expect it. There is no other option when it’s the Big Game. I’ll see you at the 50.