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Projecting The Preseason Top 25: Did The Hawkeyes Make The Cut?

By Dan Vasta

IOWA CITY, IOWA- NOVEMBER 12: Kicker Keith Duncan
IOWA CITY, IOWA- NOVEMBER 12: Kicker Keith Duncan /
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PALO ALTO, CA – NOVEMBER 26: Head coach David Shaw of the Stanford Cardinal looks on from the sidelines against the Rice Owls during an NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
PALO ALTO, CA – NOVEMBER 26: Head coach David Shaw of the Stanford Cardinal looks on from the sidelines against the Rice Owls during an NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

16) Stanford Cardinal

Key Player: RB Bryce Love

Mr. McCaffrey is gone and while the QB spot is vital, the Cardinal offense relies heavily on its backs. There has not been a huge committee approach lately, so Love will have to take it up a notch. As a reserve the last two seasons, Love has been phenomenal with a tremendous burst of speed. Staying healthy, taking care of the ball and simply moving the chains will be enough for this team to win thanks to a premier defense that returns eight starters.

Key Stat: David Shaw is only eight wins shy of becoming the school’s all-time leader. Five of his six seasons at Stanford have been successful ones having won ten or more games in the process. Some may question his in-game coaching ability, but their ability to dominate the trenches has allowed them to keep it simple, stupid. Shaw is a proven winner.

Key Game: 11/10 Washington

The blowout loss on a dreadful Thursday night last year was unforgettable just watching. I can only imagine what it felt for the Cardinal, so expect a revenge atmosphere that Stanford will be waiting for all season long. There are a handful of other tough games for them, but this is the one that should decide a double digit season and potentially a spot in the Pac-12 title game.