The expectations are low, the schedule is brutal, and the questions are real, but Tavita Pritchard's Stanford program is quietly building something worth watching.
For some programs, a strong 2025 campaign puts them as preseason favorites, with teams like Ohio State and Notre Dame holding the highest odds to win it all. For other programs like Stanford, 2026 is all about building back up into a contender.
The last few seasons have not gone well for the Cardinal, finishing 3-9 each year from 2021-23 before going 4-8 last year. Despite a productive offseason that saw them hire a new head coach in Tavita Pritchard along with a staff full of NFL experience, and bring in high level players, the program is still not seen as a threat.
"There are limitations to the home-field advantage," CFN publisher Pete Fiutak wrote. "Pitt was able to pull out the win last year, and Notre Dame rolled at will in its 49-20 victory. Miami might not have too many problems in the ACC opener in early September, despite the 2,600-mile distance."
"Georgia Tech, Elon, NC State, and SMU all have to make the journey," Fiutak added. "On home field and right-day-right-time alone, Stanford should push its way to four wins. However, it'll be the underdog in all the road games - including at Cal - and it'll take several things to go right personnel-wise to make any sort of big push past six wins. But there's time. When you have a head coach who's only 39 working for his 36-year-old boss, it can be about the long haul."
The low expectations surrounding the Cardinal are warranted, especially when you combine recent history and the many questions still left to answer about this year's roster.
But since taking over, Pritchard and his staff have built a culture that has attracted the attention of players who they would have otherwise missed out on in the past. Headlined by the signing of former Michigan quarterback Davis Warren, the Cardinal are building a well-balanced roster in terms of experience and youth.
This season, expect the schemes to be much more pro-style compared to years past, putting the Cardinal in a position to play faster and with more physicality against a loaded ACC.
Pritchard, hired by Stanford after spending multiple seasons as the quarterbacks coach for the Washington Commanders, is used to having dynamic playmakers at his disposal, as exemplified by the types of recruits and transfer portal players the program signed. Defensive coordinator Kris Richard brings a very fast and physical mentality, and will add a whole new dimension to the Cardinal's defense.
The Cardinal do face a gauntlet of a schedule to begin the Pritchard era, but a deeper roster gives the program plenty of options to work with. In this era of college football, where each win could make or break a team's playoff chances, lineup flexibility is vital in keeping teams competitive against anyone.
If this offseason has shown anything, it's that the Cardinal program is turning into a desirable destination for players once again, giving them plenty of under-the-radar talent that will help them compete against anyone.
