As BYU (1-0) prepares for this week’s game against Stanford (0-1), the Cougars face a better foe than Portland State, but are still heavy favorites against a fellow Power Four program. Here’s our preview as Kalani Sitake’s squad prepares to head into battle against the Cardinal.
Stanford's recent history
Stanford's football has been as bad in recent years as the quality of education is good.
The Cardinal had a great nine-year run from 2010 through 2018 in which they won at least eight games every year, including six double-digit win seasons. But the wheels fell off in 2019 when they went 4-8, followed by a 4-2 2020 Covid-shortened season, then suffering four consecutive 3-9 seasons coming into 2025.
One of the primary causes of Stanford's struggles in recent years is the team's carousel of head coaches. Going back to 2022 they have been coached by David Shaw, Troy Taylor, and now interim head coach Frank Reich, who is a one-year placeholder.
Stanford's current season
A host of talented Stanford players transferred out after Coach Taylor was dismissed in March, including BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier and his wide receiver brother Tiger Bachmeier. Interim head coach Frank Reich has had just five months to implement a new system. That's a recipe for disaster.
Stanford lost its first game of the season two weeks again on a last-second field goal at Hawaii.
Hawaii just won on a last-second FG by a Japanese kicker who taught himself technique by watching YouTube, set up by a drive led by a QB hopping around on one leg like Byron Leftwich.
— College Football Travel Guy (@cfbtravelguy) August 24, 2025
College football is perfect. pic.twitter.com/2IcNjWIOPF
Now, Stanford played two weeks ago in "Week 0" so they've had an extra week to recuperate and prepare for BYU. They actually know some of Bear Bachmeier's tendencies since he spent time with the Cardinal before transferring to BYU, which could also help Stanford in their preparation.
How BYU is trending
BYU, meanwhile, is ready to show they can do more than bully an overmatched FCS team. This week, they get to bully an overmatched ACC team. This game should give freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier a safe entry into Power Four football, help him get more comfortable in the offense, and gain some experience before the Big 12 season begins in a couple of weeks.
He may also have at least a little bit of inside knowledge about how Stanford's defense operates, both from his limited time with the program and the information his brother is feeding him after two years with the Cardinal.
What to watch for
BYU's offense features three former Stanford commits in the Bachmeier Brothers and running back LJ Martin. While neither Martin nor Bear Bachmeier actually suited up for the Cardinal - they both committed then decommitted before playing a snap for the team - this dynamic could be something to watch. While this isn't necessarily a "revenge game" for those three players, per se, they may have a little extra juice against their former teammates.
Defensively, while Stanford lost to Hawaii, they only gave up one sack on 30 pass attempts. This game will be a better indication if BYU's pass rush has taken a step forward this year as we watch to see if Jay Hill's squad can get to the quarterback in this one.