Cardinal Canopy: Is Stanford Football Turning a Corner?

In this episode of The Cardinal Canopy on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts, I caught up with former Stanford Cardinal S Bo McNally to discuss his thoughts on the 2026 Stanford football season thus far, discuss the value of Stanford fans' opinions of head coach Tavita Pritchard, recap a tremendous Stanford victory over NC State, discuss expectations for the rest of the season, and look ahead to the upcoming offseason.

McNally, who played at Stanford from 2005 to 2009 and experienced the beginning of Jim Harbaugh's rebuild, believes the Cardinal are finally building momentum after an inconsistent start to the season. Despite blowout losses to Wake Forest and Notre Dame, Stanford has responded with consecutive victories over Elon and NC State to improve to 4–4.

Bo praised quarterback Davis Warren's development, particularly his leadership, composure, and command of the offense. I agreed, pointing out how Warren has improved his accuracy and willingness to attack downfield compared to his time at Michigan. We also discussed the possibility of Warren receiving another year of eligibility, which could significantly benefit Stanford in 2027.

Another major topic was the criticism surrounding Pritchard and defensive coordinator Kris Richard. I argued that fans need to be patient with a first-year coaching staff, especially considering Stanford's injuries and transition to a new defensive scheme.

Bo, a close friend and former teammate of Pritchard, agreed that individual blowout losses shouldn't define the direction of the program. He compared Stanford's current situation to the early Harbaugh years, emphasizing the importance of learning from difficult performances rather than allowing them to derail an entire season.

We also addressed questions about player effort. Drawing from his own experiences during Stanford's rebuilding years, Bo explained that players can struggle mentally when games get out of hand without necessarily giving up. He emphasized that developing a winning culture requires players to recognize mistakes, improve their preparation, and consistently compete at a higher level.

Turning to the NC State game, Bo called Stanford's 31–28 victory its most balanced offensive performance of the season. He highlighted the importance of Micah Ford's 150 rushing yards and the offensive line's improved continuity. I discussed how better blocking has finally allowed Ford to demonstrate his abilities, while also praising the development of Stanford's younger defensive players, including Jaylen'Dai Sumlin, Charlie Eckhardt, and Dre Pollard.

Looking ahead, we examined Stanford's remaining games against Louisville, Virginia Tech, Cal, and SMU. Bo believes all four are winnable, although he considers SMU the toughest remaining opponent. I offered a different perspective, suggesting Stanford could potentially beat SMU at home while identifying the Big Game as another major opportunity to reach bowl eligibility.

Finally, we discussed Stanford's upcoming transfer portal plans. I brought up the program's reported financial resources and argued that Stanford shouldn't expect academically qualified transfers to accept less money simply because of the value of a Stanford education.

Bo emphasized the need to add talented players throughout the roster, increase competition, and improve depth. He also shared his optimism that improvements to Stanford's admissions process could help the program move more quickly in the portal without lowering academic standards.

For both of us, the NC State victory represents meaningful progress, but Stanford still has plenty to prove. The final four games will help determine whether the Cardinal can turn their recent momentum into a bowl appearance and establish a stronger foundation for 2027.