College Football Preview: 6. Stanford Cardinal

6. Stanford Cardinal
Key Position Players
QB Andrew Luck- Junior
RB Stepfan Taylor- Junior
OT Jonathan Martin- Junior
LB Shayne Skov- Junior
S Delano Howell- Senior
There was a big change in Stanford last year. The traditional cupcake went 12-1 in '10. Thanks to the return of all-star prospect Andrew Luck the team looks like they could continue their success. Luck will have to hope that he won't become the next Jake Locker, a top NFL prospect who returned for his senior season and his draft stock fell rapidly. The backfield is just as great. Stepfan Taylor will be asked to be the starter but Stanford may launch a three-man backfield.Junior Tyler Gaffney is a power runner and sophomore Anthony Wilkerson makes plays. Luck's options aren't great. Wide receiver Chris Owusu returns but he still won't be a suitable option. One of the reasons Luck has had success is the talent of the O-Line. Tackle Jonathan Martin may not have even reached the top yet guard David DeCastro is good. Though, other than those two the line is not much. The defense lost a big man in Owen Marecic. Marecic was never a star for the Cardinal but he played both fullback and linebacker. The defense is loaded in the linebacker position and the secondary. Shayne Skov was a big recruit a while back and he hasn't disappointed. The secondary is headed by Delano Howell a talented, hard-hitting senior. He isn't the only playmaker back there- Michael Thomas and Johnson Bademosi are good.

Heisman Hopeful: Andrew Luck
Pac 12 Rank: 2nd