Game location: LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, UT
Game time/channel: 7:15pm PT/10:15pm ET (ESPN)
Matchup History: Stanford, 2-1
It’s weird to think these two proud athletic programs in the western U.S. have only played three football games against one another. This will be just the second ever meeting in Provo and first since 2003. The Cardinal won that inaugural matchup 18-14. Stanford’s defense feasted against true freshman John Beck. The results were even worse in 2004, their first matchup in Palo Alto. Stanford outscored BYU 30-0 after the first quarter. Beck threw three interceptions. The Cougars finally got revenge back in 2022, when they ran all over Stanford with 358 rushing yards, defeating Stanford 35-26 on the road.
Head coach: Frank Reich (interim)
After an offseason of turmoil, Stanford took the field against Hawaii in Week 0 under an interim coach with all-time legend Andrew Luck taking a front office role with the team. They looked like a team that suffered an offseason full of turmoil. They had one turnover, committed seven penalties, and amounted less than 300 yards of offense. Running back Micah Ford was the lone standout, rushing for 113 yards and a touchdown. Stanford actually had a lead in the fourth quarter against the Rainbow Warriors. Hawaii rallied late with two field goals, including a last-second one, to seal the victory over the Cardinal. After that gut-wrenching loss, the Cardinal had a bye week to prepare for BYU during Week 1.
When Stanford Has the Ball
As mentioned, the offense likely goes through running back Micah Ford. He is the most talented offensive skill player and even threw two touchdowns last year. BYU needs to prepare for some trickery. Stanford has sixth-year senior and Oregon State transfer Ben Gulbranson at quarterback. That experience suggests he won’t be rattled by the hostile crowd LaVell Edwards Stadium can bring. His weapons are a hodgepodge of transfers from power schools such as wide receiver CJ Williams (Wisconsin), fifth-year running back Tuna Altahir (FCS Eastern Washington) and junior offensive lineman Niki Prongos (UCLA).
Jay Hill’s defense is a force to be reckoned with. We knew they would handle Portland State but the emphatic way in which they held PSU to 51 total yards and negative rushing yards was stunning. Jack Kelly looks like he is reaching a new level of play, as is fellow linebacker Isaiah Glasker. Keanu Tanuvasa made an immediate impact along the defensive line with four QB pressures in just the first half alone against PSU.
Bear Bachmeier had a nearly perfect college debut against Portland State. He completed seven of 11 passes for 97 yards, three touchdowns, and ran for two more scores. He has weapons galore with Chase Roberts, Jojo Phillips, Carsen Ryan, running back LJ Martin, and more. Stanford was one of the worst pass defenses in all of college football last year (131st). Hawaii was able to move the ball to some degree through the air. Given the elite weapons around the freshman Bachmeier, and the running game to complement the passing attack, the Cougars should have some big opportunities.
This is one of those games where you can say “the only team that can beat BYU is BYU.” Stanford wins if BYU beats itself. That means, committing turnovers, lapses in assignments, or a general lack of focus or refinement. If BYU plays how they did against Portland State- inspired, energetic, and clean, they should not only beat the Cardinal but handily defeat them.
Prediction: BYU 34, Stanford 17
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