Preview: BYU moves from dominating an FCS opponent to facing an ACC squad in Stanford

BYU enters this season aiming to compete for a Big 12 title and earn a College Football Playoff berth. Stanford, meanwhile, has stumbled to 3-9 records in four straight seasons and just suffered a rough defeat against Hawaii.

As BYU (1-0) gears up to play Stanford (0-1), the Cougars face tougher competition than Portland State, though they still enter as strong favorites against another Power Four program. Here’s the breakdown as Kalani Sitake’s team readies for a matchup with the Cardinal.

Stanford’s recent track record

Stanford football has been as disappointing on the field lately as its academics remain prestigious off it.

The Cardinal thrived from 2010 through 2018, securing at least eight victories every season during that stretch, including six years with double-digit wins. But in 2019 they slipped to 4-8, managed only 4-2 in the shortened 2020 campaign, then fell into a streak of four consecutive 3-9 finishes entering 2025.

One major reason behind Stanford’s decline has been the constant turnover at head coach. Since 2022, they’ve been led by David Shaw, Troy Taylor, and now interim coach Frank Reich, who is serving only in a stopgap role.

Stanford’s current outlook

After Coach Taylor was dismissed in March, many of Stanford’s top talents transferred out, including BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier and his receiver brother Tiger. With Reich having just five months to establish a system, the foundation for trouble was set.

Stanford dropped its season opener two weeks ago on a last-second field goal at Hawaii.

Since they played in “Week 0,” Stanford has enjoyed extra rest and additional time to prepare for BYU. They also possess some knowledge of Bear Bachmeier’s tendencies from his brief time with the program, which could give them a small edge in game-planning.

How BYU is shaping up

BYU, on the other hand, is eager to prove they can dominate more than an outclassed FCS foe. Now, they’ll look to outmuscle an undermanned ACC opponent. This matchup should provide freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier with a smooth introduction to Power Four football, allow him to settle into the scheme, and gain valuable snaps before Big 12 play begins in a couple of weeks.

He also might benefit from limited familiarity with Stanford’s defensive concepts thanks to his short stint with the program, plus insight from his brother’s two-year stay in Palo Alto.

What to keep an eye on

The Cougars’ offense features three players once tied to Stanford: the Bachmeier brothers and running back LJ Martin. While Martin and Bear Bachmeier never suited up for the Cardinal – both flipped their commitments before enrolling – that connection adds intrigue. This isn’t exactly a “revenge game,” but the trio could bring added motivation against old teammates.

On defense, despite losing to Hawaii, Stanford’s offensive line gave up only one sack across 30 dropbacks. This matchup will be a stronger test of whether BYU’s pass rush has improved, as Jay Hill’s unit aims to create pressure and disrupt the Cardinal’s quarterback.