I didn't know Stanford offered this class. Damn typical of this place - too many cool things going on at the same time and too little time to participate. Which department and who were the professors/instructors?
Tell him, as long as the front wheel is conected to the ground, that holds the head-tube straight, and when you put force into the pedals, pushing the BB to the side, there's your "Tortional" force twisting the down-tube... Hence why so many companies feel the need for bi-ovalized down-tubes.