FSU is in a rut. The Seminoles have lost three consecutive ACC games and haven’t win in conference play in more than a year. A trip to underdog Stanford is an opportunity to change their trajectory.
The Florida State Seminoles (3-3) are back in action this Saturday, traveling to the Stanford Cardinal (2-4). The game kicks off at 10:30 p.m. EST and will be broadcast on ESPN. FSU is coming off of three straight ACC losses, while Stanford has started 2-2 in the conference.
Here is everything you need to know about the Cardinal ahead of the ACC matchup.
Stanford Cardinal - The Names and Numbers to Know
2025 Results: Stanford began the season with an interim head coach in longtime NFL vet Frank Reich. The results have been mostly disappointing, if not exactly surprising.
Stanford has been held to 20 points or fewer in four of its six games, scoring 30 in the other two. Not surprisingly, all four of the low-scoring games were losses, while the two 30-point outputs (vs Boston College and San Jose State) account for the two wins.
Virginia is the only common opponent between Stanford and FSU, so far. The Cavaliers routed Stanford 48-10, while the Seminoles lost at UVA in double overtime.
By The Numbers: The Cardinal score 18.8 points per game (120th of 136 nationally), while conceding 30.2 points per game (118th of 136). Despite the large scoring disparity, Stanford is being out-gained by only 84 yards per game, 418-333.
The Cardinal have a respectable passing game, averaging 241 yards per game through the air. Their running attack, however, has been abysmal, averaging only 93 yards per game.
Leading Passer: Ben Gulbranson - 116-for-196, 1,445 yards, six touchdowns, four interceptions
Leading Receiver: CJ Williams - 35 catches, 404 yards, one touchdown, 11.5 yards per catch
Leading Rusher: Micha Ford - 91 rushes, 400 yards, three touchdowns, 4.4 yards per rush
Leading Tackler: Linebacker Matt Rose - 47 tackles, four tackles for loss
Game Analysis: Stanford should be out-matched in this game based on results to-date. The bigger question on Saturday isn't about individual matchups. It's whether FSU can get out of its current rut, or if the Seminoles will snowball and let three losses become four in a row.
FSU and head coach Mike Norvell haven't won an ACC game since last September. On paper, Saturday night should be an opportunity to get back on track. However, a late kick and questions about FSU's mental state after three consecutive losses have the potential to make this more interesting than expected.
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