But seriously, what is the deal with Stanford?

[COCoug]

An announced attendance of 39,000 (probably less), with maybe a quarter of those Cougar fans?

So its Homecoming.
Stanford is ranked in the top 25, with a very solid team in all phases of the game.
Their Heisman Trophy candidate is returning for the game.
They aren't playing a cupcake, but another ranked team has has won the last two meetings, so its actually one of the top games of the weekend by any standard. The WSU vs. Stanford game has been really good for at least the last 4 years.
Stanford was playing for the top spot in the North, the PAC12 championship and the Rose Bowl. They completely controlled their destiny.
Stanford is actually an exciting team. Their comeback to beat Oregon this season was probably one of the most memorable conference games of the decade. They are on a multiyear stretch of high quality play, and in the conversation every year for winning the PAC12 and even making the playoffs. They have a high integrity coach and Heisman candidates almost every year and a pipeline to the NFL.
It ideal weather, and you have 7 million people within 40 miles. Its not like traveling to Pullman that requires a lot of planning. Your just put on your shoes and find your car keys and go.

I totally get that West Coast schools have "fair weather fans" who only jump on the bandwagon when things are going well. That is understandable and human nature. But what do you do when your school is doing really, really well, and the fans just don't care? What would it take for them to fill their stadium? If you stop to think about it, it must be pretty discouraging for anyone involved.

 

[cr8zyncalif]

The brutal cold and driving rain kept the fans at home for the Stanford game. Only the hardy WSU fans, accustomed as they are to that kind of weather, came out in large numbers.

Sorry, I couldn't resist....

 

[Flatlandcoug]

Based on what I saw on TV, that 39,000 number was very generous. I agree that it's mind boggling to think about how poor their fan support is. Of course, not supporting Stanford football has somehow become a badge of honor for Stanford alums.

 

[BiggsCoug]

An announced attendance of 39,000 (probably less), with maybe a quarter of those Cougar fans?

So its Homecoming.
Stanford is ranked in the top 25, with a very solid team in all phases of the game.
Their Heisman Trophy candidate is returning for the game.
They aren't playing a cupcake, but another ranked team has has won the last two meetings, so its actually one of the top games of the weekend by any standard. The WSU vs. Stanford game has been really good for at least the last 4 years.
Stanford was playing for the top spot in the North, the PAC12 championship and the Rose Bowl. They completely controlled their destiny.
Stanford is actually an exciting team. Their comeback to beat Oregon this season was probably one of the most memorable conference games of the decade. They are on a multiyear stretch of high quality play, and in the conversation every year for winning the PAC12 and even making the playoffs. They have a high integrity coach and Heisman candidates almost every year and a pipeline to the NFL.
It ideal weather, and you have 7 million people within 40 miles. Its not like traveling to Pullman that requires a lot of planning. Your just put on your shoes and find your car keys and go.

I totally get that West Coast schools have "fair weather fans" who only jump on the bandwagon when things are going well. That is understandable and human nature. But what do you do when your school is doing really, really well, and the fans just don't care? What would it take for them to fill their stadium? If you stop to think about it, it must be pretty discouraging for anyone involved.

It’s a nerd school. Are you really surprised?

 

[GrayOnGray]

Someone here shared the story of, back when schools had a track around the field, a young woman doing a workout on it during the game. That's always stuck with me when I think of Stanford.

 

[dgibbons]

It’s a nerd school. Are you really surprised?

And the undergrad enrollment is only 7,000-8,000.

 

[dgibbons]

Someone here shared the story of, back when schools had a track around the field, a young woman doing a workout on it during the game. That's always stuck with me when I think of Stanford.

I think it was the 2001 which was a very important early season game. The winner would facing Oregon for first place.

The big surprise was that she could actually get onto the playing surface.