Go Mighty Card

Pac-12 Media Day

I wasn't able to make it to Pac-12 Media Day this year, but thanks to the wonders of technology, it almost doesn't matter. Head Coach David Shaw, running back Stepfan Taylor, and linebacker Chase Thomas took the stage to talk about the challenges facing the Cardinal in 2012, and the video is below. Enjoy...

 

Forecasting Stanford Football in 2012, One Game at a Time

Remember in Back to the Future II when Biff stole Marty's copy of Grays Sports Almanac and used the DeLorean to give it to his 1955 self so that he could win every sports bet for the next fifty years? Well, here's the next best thing.

We here at Go Mighty Card have never condoned gambling, but we noticed something recently that caught our attention. Sure, it might be fun to put down some cash on an individual game, then bite your nails to the nubs for three hours before hopefully claiming your winnings, but we've always been more intrigued by the long-term bet, especially because it always looks so easy to make a fistful of money.

One of the earliest reports from Las Vegas has the over/under for the 2012 Stanford Cardinal set at 7.5 wins. On the surface, eight wins seems like a gimme, so I thought I'd take a look at things game by game, putting each match-up into one of three categories: Guaranteed Lock, Toss Up, or Likely Loss.

This is hardly scientific, and by no means a recommendation on how to spend your hard-earned money, but it gives us an excuse to analyze the schedule a bit. As always, feel free to agree or disagree in the comments section. Could it be possible that Stanford could win only seven games this fall? Let's take a look...

Cardinal Conversation: Darrin Nelson

There's a temptation to describe running back Darrin Nelson (1977-81) as one of the most versatile players in Stanford history, but that does him a disservice. The word versatile conjures up images of utility infielders who aren't good enough to play every day, but are good enough to start once in a while at second base or shortstop.

Nelson wasn't good at a few things, he was great at almost everything. When he retired after the 1981 season, his name sat atop almost twenty different Stanford all-time lists, including career receptions, single-game receiving yards, and single-game, season, and career touchdowns. He still holds the school records for career rushing, single-game scoring, and career all-purpose yards.

As a freshman he became the first player in NCAA history to catch fifty passes and rush for more than a thousand yards -- and then he did it twice more. Nelson is the only player in Stanford history to be named first-team All-Conference four times, and he was a consensus first-team All-America and an Academic All-America in 1981. Not surprisingly, he is also a member of the Stanford University Hall of Fame. 

He was kind enough this week to speak with me about his time at Stanford and in the NFL, as well as his current career in athletic administration. Enjoy...

Cardinal Conversation: Damon Dunn

Damon Dunn (1994-97) was a dynamic receiver and kick returner during his time playing for the Stanford Cardinal, and his name can still be found scattered throughout the Stanford record book, particularly in the kick return section, where he still holds the school records for career touchdown returns (3) and longest kick return (100 yards).

Dunn's post-Stanford career has been even more impressive, as he's been a successful real estate developer, dabbled in politics, and focused on numerous philanthropic endeavors. He was also recently named a visiting Fellow in the Hoover Institution at Stanford University.

Because of all this, he seemed the perfect first subject for what we hope to be an ongoing series of interviews with former Stanford players. I give you Damon Dunn, today's Cardinal Conversation. Enjoy...