Stanford Cardinal is 0-0 on the season, 0-0 against the spread, and holds a power rating of -4.9. Stanford Cardinal enters the season with a power rating of -4.9, placing them below average relative to the FBS midpoint. The Stanford Cardinal host Hawai'i next in Week 0. In 2025, Stanford Cardinal went 4-8 overall, 5-7 against the spread, and 6-6 on totals.
In Week 0 of 2026 the Stanford Cardinal Power Rating of -4.9 is 5.1 points below the FBS average according to Blue Chip Analytics. Stanford Cardinal have logged 0 miles of travel so far, out of a season total of 21,806 miles, ranking 2nd heaviest in the FBS.
| Week | Opponent | Distance | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 0 | Hawai'i | Home | 0 mi |
| Week 1 | Miami | Home | 0 mi |
| Week 2 | — | Bye | |
| Week 3 | Duke | 2,380 mi | 4,760 mi |
| Week 4 | Georgia Tech | Home | 4,760 mi |
| Week 5 | Wake Forest | 2,307 mi | 9,374 mi |
| Week 6 | Notre Dame | 1,927 mi | 13,227 mi |
| Week 7 | Elon | Home | 13,227 mi |
| Week 8 | NC State | Home | 13,227 mi |
| Week 9 | Louisville | 1,979 mi | 17,186 mi |
| Week 10 | — | Bye | |
| Week 11 | Virginia Tech | 2,280 mi | 21,745 mi |
| Week 12 | California | 30 mi | 21,806 mi |
| Week 13 | SMU | Home | 21,806 mi |
| Week 14 | — | Bye | |
| Week 15 | — | Bye | |
| Week 16 | — | Bye | |
Stanford enters 2026 under first-year head coach Tavita Pritchard and general manager Andrew Luck, both alumni who embody the program's academic-first culture. The Cardinal are coming off a 4-8 season but return a veteran core on both sides of the ball, led by quarterback Davis Warren (1,199 yards, 7 TD at Michigan in 2024), running back Micah Ford (643 rushing yards last year), and middle linebacker Matt Rose (106 tackles, 8 TFL). The belief in the program's trajectory is strong, but the schedule is daunting, making a winning record a tough ask.
The offense revolves around Warren's dual-threat ability, Ford's potential to approach 1,000 rushing yards, and targets like wide receiver Caden High (37 catches, 414 yards) and tight end Benji Blackburn. The offensive line, anchored by Niki Prongos, Fisher Anderson, and Simione Pale, will be critical for establishing balance. New offensive coordinator Terry Heffernan's scheme is an unknown, but the personnel suggests a run-first approach with play-action opportunities.
Matt Rose is the heart of the defense, but the safety room is equally strong with Jay Green, Scotty Edwards, Charlie Eckhardt, and Darrius Davis providing versatility and depth. Cornerback Brandon Nicholson is expected to take a step forward, while defensive linemen Braden Marceau-Olayinka and Zach Rowell showed growth last season. The Cardinal ranked near the top of the ACC in red zone defense in 2025, a trend new coordinator Kris Richard aims to continue.
Punter Aidan Flintoft and kicker Emmet Kenney are experienced and reliable, giving Stanford a solid foundation in the kicking game. The biggest unknown is the return game, where Caden High will be counted on to provide a spark. If the Cardinal can generate field position through returns, it could ease the burden on an offense that may struggle to sustain long drives against tough opponents.
Stanford's 2026 slate is unforgiving, with multiple road trips and matchups against power conference foes. The Cardinal will need to win close games and avoid the slow starts that plagued them in 2025. The season opener against Hawai'i (a 64% win probability in prediction markets) is a must-win to build momentum. With a veteran roster and new leadership, Stanford's ceiling is bowl eligibility, but the floor is another 4-8 campaign if the offense fails to click.
Stanford Cardinal is 0-0 against the spread in the 2026 season.
Stanford Cardinal holds a Blue Chip Analytics power rating of -4.9, representing their expected point margin against an average FBS team on a neutral field.
Stanford Cardinal's home field advantage rating is 2.4 points, the venue adjustment Blue Chip Analytics applies for games at their home stadium.
Stanford Cardinal travels 21,806 miles in the 2026 season, ranking 2nd heaviest in the FBS.
Cumulative travel distance counts both the outbound and return journey for every away game. For example, if a team travels 374 miles to play an away game, Blue Chip Analytics counts 748 miles (374 miles there, 374 miles back) toward the cumulative total. Home games and bye weeks add zero miles. The per-week Distance column shows the one-way distance only, as the return trip happens after the game is played.
Stanford Cardinal: 0-0 overall, 0-0 ATS, power rating -4.9.
