College coaches with limited NFL experience and gimmick schemes have not fared well at the NFL level, and there is a strong history of coaches, from Lou Holtz to Steve Spurrier to Bobby Petrino, to show for it. With Jim Harbaugh, Pete Carroll and Greg Schiano being plucked from the college ranks and finding immediate success, NFL decision makers are digging back into the college ranks looking for the next rising star on the coaching circuit.

Oregon’s Chip Kelly, who word has it is hot on the trails of Carroll by looking to bolt from a program that is set to face serious NCAA sanctions for a recruiting scandal, has become the hottest name in NFL circles.

However, after Stanford handed Oregon its first loss of the season in a 17-14 overtime victory, NFL GMs in need of a new skipper might want to take a closer look at Harbaugh’s successor, David Shaw, who was groomed in Philadelphia, Oakland and Baltimore and runs pro-style schemes that clearly work.

To beat Kelly’s fast-paced, high-octane, matchup-based offense, a team needs a strong, physical front that is not fooled by misdirection and is capable of attacking downhill and dictating the tempo of the game.

Enter Stanford MLB Shayne Skov. Still showing effects of the serious left knee injury he suffered a year ago, Skov was not crisp in the open field, where he missed some tackles and cannot cut cleanly. Nonetheless, his eyes and instincts are outstanding and when many linebackers would be pulled in by play fakes, Skov continually showed up on the spot with support from a fast-flying front seven that held Kelly’s offense to its fewest points since the opening game in 2009.

Rush linebackers Trent Murphy and Chase Thomas led the way on a creative set of stunts, games and blitzes. Murphy notched one of the Cardinal’s two sacks, yet created pressure behind the line all game and kept the offense from establishing a rhythm.