A new shift of the Tunnel Workers Union has arrived.

That's what Stanford's offensive linemen have been calling themselves for several years. This season there are four new starters. At most schools that would be cause for concern.

In this case, though, the group arrived in 2012 as probably the most heralded class of offensive line recruits in Stanford history. They make their debut as a unit when the No. 11 Cardinal open the season against UC Davis at 1 p.m. Saturday at Stanford Stadium. The Cardinal will try to extend the nation's longest home winning streak to 17 games.

Left tackle Andrus Peat was the first member of the group to play a lot, averaging 20 snaps a game as a freshman and starting last year as a sophomore. Left guard Josh Garnett started one game on the offensive line last year, against Washington State.

Kyle Murphy, the new starting right tackle, got plenty of action last year in Stanford's signature "jumbo" and "elephant" sets of extra offensive linemen. He often switched from his normal No. 78 to a 94 jersey when he lined up at tight end.

Also making their first starts will be center Graham Shuler and right guard Johnny Caspers. Shuler has the task of calling out the blocking signals.

"I was so fortunate to have Conor McFadden, Khalil Wilkes and Sam Schwartzstein before me, who have helped me grow so much," Shuler said. "It's been a challenge every step of the way, but this spring and fall I've really settled into it. I've gotten so much more comfortable with the calls."

This year's five starters have been communicating with each other since they were seniors in high school. They all made it through Stanford's daunting admissions process and were elated when they all decided to come to the Farm.

The idea of eventually starting together "was in the back of our minds because we were such good friends," Murphy said.

"We've all grown together," Shuler said. "I'm really excited to finally get to go on the field with these guys. We're such a tight-knit group. It's something that's really special, something I can't imagine having at any other school. There's still so much more that we can learn and teach each other."

The line will be blocking for quarterback Kevin Hogan and a stable of running backs led by starter Kelsey Young. The linemen won't have a powerful back behind them, as previous lines had with Toby Gerhart, Stepfan Taylor and Tyler Gaffney; they'll be trying to spring smaller, quicker backs for long gains.

Mike Bloomgren, the associate head coach and offensive coordinator, also handles the offensive line, and he's excited about unveiling the new group.

He pointed out that the players even watch game films at the dorms together.

"I'm buying stock in this offensive line," he said. "I love how they've worked through camp. I love that they're spending every waking moment together."

Classes, it should be pointed out, don't start until Sept. 22.

UC Davis at No. 11 Stanford Where: Stanford Stadium When: 1 p.m. TV / Radio: P12BA / 1050 Story line: With a rebuilt offensive line, a new starting tailback (Kelsey Young) and a new starting fullback (Lee Ward), the Cardinal will try to shake out the bugs against the Aggies. Stanford has won 37 of its past 40 home game and figures to win No. 38 handily. Injuries: Stanford - DE Aziz Shittu (toe) is out. UC Davis - TB Gabe Manzanares, a 1,285-yard rusher last season, is out (foot), and so is backup Manusamoa Luuga (wrist). Colton Silveria, Davis' top rusher in 2011 and '12, and redshirt freshman Justin Williams are likely to get the most carries. WHAT TO WATCH FOR -- Four new starters - C Graham Shuler, G Josh Garnett, G Johnny Caspers and OT Kyle Murphy - join standout OT Andrus Peat in the Stanford offensive line. They'll need to get in sync quickly because USC is up next. -- It will be interesting to see how the Cardinal's tailback-by-committee works. There's only one ball to go around. How much will Barry Sanders and the other backups get it after Young? -- Aggies head coach Ron Gould, a former Cal RBs coach, says he'll probably make a game-time decision at QB between soph Ben Scott and senior London Lacy. Ex-CCSF standout Turner Baty is No. 3. Whoever plays may be under a strong pass rush, or so Cardinal fans hope, even though sack artists Trent Murphy, Shayne Skov and Ben Gardner are gone. - Tom FitzGerald