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LOS ANGELES -- All it took was three Pac-12 titles in four years for Stanford to finally get the nod in the preseason media poll. Stephon Gilmore Youth Jersey .It marked a first for the Cardinal in the 56-year history of the poll, having previously never been slotted higher than second in the Pac-12 North in the five seasons since adding divisional play and a title game, a span that coincides with head coach David Shaws tenure.The newfound admiration is taking a little getting used to.It truly shows that you have no idea what you are doing, Shaw jokingly told reporters Friday.It feels strange, defensive lineman Solomon Thomas said. Were thankful for that, but were just going to keep our head down and have that tunnel vision.After years of finding reasons not to vote Stanford in the top spot ranging from the departure of head coach Jim Harbaugh to the exit of quarterback Andrew Luck, the Cardinal seemingly have earned the benefit of the doubt despite losing four-year starting quarterback Kevin Hogan, three dominant offensive linemen and stalwart inside linebacker Blake Martinez. Shaw pointed to the back of the ballroom on the fifth floor of the Hollywood and Highland complex, where running back Christian McCaffrey was holding court, as the reason for that confidence.Its a sign of respect and I think it has a lot to do with the guy in the back left corner of the building there, but once we start practicing and playing games, all of that goes away, Shaw said.McCaffrey was the undisputed star of the otherwise sleepy Pac-12 media days, with last seasons Heisman Trophy runner-up detailing everything from his encounter with pro wrestler Ric Flair at the ESPY Awards earlier in the week -- I just shook his hand. I didnt whoo. I couldnt get it out. -- to his pet potbellied pig named Tarance.He died of obesity, McCaffrey said.McCaffrey shredded Iowa for a Rose Bowl-record 368 all-purpose yards in Stanfords dominating 45-16 win, finishing his sophomore season with 2,019 yards rushing. Shaw expects opposing defenses to focus on McCaffrey, especially as redshirt senior Ryan Burns or redshirt junior Keller Chryst settles in at quarterback, but believes the presence of other returning skill position players could allow him to surpass his record-setting season.Thats why you have a great team, Shaw said. Having all those guys around him with experience, with playing ability . helps Christian be what Christian can be and maybe make him even more dangerous knowing that he has more dangerous guys around him.And while the Pac-12 negotiated for earlier television broadcast windows to avoid the stretch of late-night games Stanford had to play last season, McCaffrey had no interest in the idea that Heisman voters right actually see him play rather than just looking at highlights and box scores.As far as exposure goes, I could care less, McCaffrey said. Whether I have the greatest season ever and everybody sees it or I have the worst season ever and no one sees it, if Im playing football thatll bring me peace and thats where I am happy.That mentality of never being satisfied has been a constant during Stanfords football renaissance. McCaffrey said the underdog attitude that permeated the locker room and caught his eye as a recruit is still there, even coming off a conference championship and the expectations of winning another.Nothings changed, McCaffrey said.Maintaining such commitment might allow Stanford to avoid continuing the dubious history of the preseason media poll. Only two of the previous nine selections actually won the Pac-12 that season. Kevin Faulk Jersey . -- Bryant McKinnie came out of his stance and lowered his shoulder into a practice squad player, causing a crisp thud to reverberate in the Miami Dolphins practice bubble. Drew Bledsoe Jersey .H. -- Matt Kenseth made it 2 for 2 in the Chase, holding off teammate Kyle Busch to win Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. http:///...man-Patriots-Jersey/ . He was followed closely by David Clarkson, donning red, seconds later. Clarksons actions one night earlier, leaping off the bench in defence of Kessel during a pre-season game against the Buffalo Sabres, will cost him the first 10 games of the regular season. MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- The Memphis Grizzlies are on a four-game winning streak and relying on their reputation of hard-nosed defense.For the second straight night, Memphis held its opponent under 75 points, sending Minnesota to its worst offensive performance of the season and capturing a 93-71 victory over the Timberwolves on Saturday.The 71 points were a season-low for Minnesota, which was limited to 39 percent shooting on the night, also a season-low.Memphis held Andrew Wiggins, Minnesotas leading scorer at 27.4 points, to seven points as he missed nine of his 11 shots.Battle, fight him and try to make everything impossible for him, Memphis coach David Fizdale said. He missed some shots that he normally makes.JaMychal Green had 19 points and eight rebounds, while Zach Randolph added 18 points and seven boards for Memphis, which ended a four-game road trip with an 80-64 win at Dallas on Friday night.Thats what we do. Thats what weve been doing, Randolph said of the defense. That aint no surprise.The Grizzlies forced 19 turnovers, leading to 27 points.Their defense was terrific, Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau said. .We like to think that we are a pretty good offensive team. We didnt move the ball the way we needed to.Mike Conley and Andrew Harrison added 13 points apiece for Memphis, while James Ennis finished with 11 points.Zach LaVine led the Timberwolves with 22 points, providing a third-quarter push when Minnesota tied the game. Karl-Anthony Towns scored 17.LaVine kept the Timberwolves within striking distance to open the third, collecting Minnesotas first eight points, including a pair of 3-pointers.The game was deadlocked at 48 when Memphis clicked off 14 straight points to build its largest lead of the game at that point.Memphis would stretch the advantage to as many as 25 in the fourth.I just didnt like the way we played, Thibodeau said, adding: With 19 turnovers, we cant win on the road. Stephon Gilmore Patriots Jersey. (The Grizzlies) are going to make you pay for your mistakes, and they did.TIP-INSTimberwolves: Minnesotas 39 first-half points were a season-low for a first half. ... Minnesotas previous low for points this season was 92 against Oklahoma City on Nov. 5. ... Minnesota is now 0-7 when shooting under 45 percent and 0-8 when trailing after three quarters.Grizzlies: F Chandler Parsons did not play on the second night of the back-to-back. Parsons, still nursing offseason right knee surgery, had played in all six games since he returned to action Nov. 6. ... Vince Carter played in his 1,287th game, moving past Sam Perkins for 23rd on the career list. ... Memphis was 33 of 38 from the free throw line, season highs in both categories.MILWAUKEE MOTIVATIONMemphis four-game winning streak began after a poor performance in a 106-96 loss at Milwaukee on Nov. 12. We had a team meeting, and Coach got on us about our effort in the Milwaukee game, Green said. It looked bad on film, and it opened all our eyes.WIGGINS WOESWiggins seven points matched his season low. He also had seven at Oklahoma City on Nov. 5. Thibodeau said the poor shooting impacted other aspects of Wiggins game. .You cant allow that to take away from other things you can do to help the team win, Thibodeau said. You can do things without shooting well. Thats an area we have to grow in.NO REST. NO PROBLEMMemphis has won all three of its games on the second night of back-to-backs this season.UP NEXTTimberwolves: Host the Boston Celtics on Monday, the only home game in a five-game stretch.Grizzlies: Begin a two-game road swing through the Eastern Conference beginning Monday at Charlotte before going to Philadelphia on Thanksgiving Eve. Wholeslae Jerseys NFL Jerseys Cheap Wholesale NBA Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys Cheap MLB Jerseys Wholesale Soccer Jerseys Cheap College Jerseys Cheap Football Jerseys Cheap Basketball Jerseys Cheap Baseball Jerseys ' ' '