The Cardinal coaches are attempting a new tactic in practice while searching for better results in-game.
Stanford football is back at home this week to face Georgia Tech, where a win is vital to getting the season back on track.
Head coach Tavita Pritchard spoke to reporters earlier this week to reflect on last week's loss to Duke and discuss the upcoming game against Georgia Tech.
Here are notable takeaways from Pritchard's weekly media availability.
Run Defense is a Big Point of Emphasis for Improvement
Stanford's run defense has been a major struggle the last two weeks, giving up over 100 yards against both Miami and Duke. With Georgia Tech also being a team with a strong run game, the Cardinal are making sure to tighten up ahead of the matchup, with Pritchard and staff doing what they can to set the players up for success.
"Are we giving the players what they need during practice? Are we giving them what they need in meetings for them to be able to go execute at a high speed and high level?" Pritchard told reporters.
"And then, of course, it's on the players too and them making sure that they're doing what they need to do to be prepared so that they can go play fast. But with the run defense, it starts with tackling and I think that's the biggest thing you can point to is making sure that we are tackling fundamentally and with speed and violence."
Georgia Tech's run game features former Michigan and Alabama standout Justice Haynes, who is coming off a dominant 141-yard game against Mercer. If the Cardinal are not playing their best, Haynes will be a problem.
The Offensive Line Combinations are Still Being Assessed
Offensive line inconsistencies have been a major storyline at Stanford for multiple seasons now, and so far in 2026, things have been no different. The line performed well against Hawai'i, but the last two games have not gone well, especially against Duke in the second half.
The games don't get any easier as the season goes on, so everyone needs to be better for all four quarters, and Pritchard is making sure to assess the line extra carefully, even if it means mixing up the previous combinations.
"Absolutely, we have to be better," Pritchard said. "And part of elevating practice is competition. Like open, constant competition. Yes, we are looking for the right combination of the right five guys to go give ourselves the best chance to win, and we weren't good enough on game day. So we do have to keep thinking and looking at the combinations of those people and who gives us the best chance.
In order for Stanford to win games in a tough ACC, the offense needs to move the ball and score points, and that all starts up front. For the rest of the season, especially this week against a tough Georgia Tech program, strong play in the trenches is vital for success.
Georgia Tech Game is Vital
After Pritchard was hired, excitement for the program grew, with many ready to see Pritchard and his staff create a new culture that leads to winning. But so far, things on the field have looked eerily similar to previous uncompetitive seasons. While patience is a virtue for rebuilds, frustration is starting to mount.
That is why Georgia Tech is a massive game when it comes to assessing Stanford's progress, especially when it comes to how big of a step forward the program has taken.
"The translation from practice to the game," Pritchard said is the key to success this week. "We have to have a heck of a week of practice and we have to compete. It's got to be high intensity. We've got to first see that in practice, and then from that, that's got to translate to the game. That's what we're looking for.
"So again, we go back to some of the things you guys have heard me emphasize. Those things will continue to be emphasized and we won't be deterred because it's not showing up yet, right? It's all about the power of yet and we've got to keep driving towards those things."
The next few games will be very tough for Stanford, hitting the road after facing Georgia Tech this week for back-to-back games against Wake Forest and Notre Dame. If the Cardinal want to save their season, this three-game stretch is vital. If they can successfully put together good performances, the trajectory for the future will change.
Reinforcements Could Soon be on the Way
In recent weeks, Stanford has dealt with some health issues at several positions, particularly on the offensive line and at linebacker. But, as soon as this week, it is very possible that some of the program's injured players will come back and provide a boost-- most notably Niki Prongos, Gabe Kaminski, and Jahsiah Galvan.
Prongos and Kaminski are listed as questionable on the team's initial injury report, while Galvan is not listed at all. His workload is still a question heading into Saturday, however.
"We came out pretty clean," Pritchard said. "Obviously, being in that heat [in Durham] that we're not as used to in Palo Alto. We did have some guys that experienced that, that we had manage so to speak towards the end of the game, and then going into this week, all three of those guys [Prongos, Kaminski and Galvan] are trending really positively.
Pritchard added that there is a chance all three would be seen on the field this week.
Getting key players back at any point in a season is huge, but when a program like Stanford is clawing for another win, it could be the difference between a successful campaign and one where you are forced back to square one.
