Preseason polls really have very little meaning in the big picture, but it can still be solid validation of expectations for a program. For the Stanford Cardinal, the first coaches poll of 2010 has them receiving 41 votes. While not yet ranked, this is the first time since 2002 that Stanford has received votes in a preseason football poll. Of course, that season ended for the Cardinal with a 2-9 record.
Although Stanford enters the season without Toby Gerhart, expectations are still running high for the fightin’ Jim Harbaughs. Harbaugh has brought some level of respect back to The Farm. We’ll see if they can meet such lofty expectations in 2010.