06-30-2025, 02:18 PM
I apologize if there is already a thread specifically devoted to the upcoming season, but I couldn't find it (if so, mods please feel free to merge this thread).
In any case, given that the calendar is turning over to July and the Hawaii game is less than 8 weeks away, this seems like a reasonable time to talk about our expectations for Stanford Football 2025.
A few weeks ago, ESPN came out with something called the "football future power" ranking. The criteria, projecting ahead for the 2025 and 2026 seasons, are:
* Returning quarterback
* Likelihood of a multiyear QB on roster
* Offensive line/defensive line outlook
* Roster management
* Star power (All-Americans, national award contenders, all-conference contenders)
* Coaching staff
Out of the 68 teams in the Power 4 + Notre Dame, Stanford comes in at...
68
In ESPN's SP+ rankings, just for the upcoming season, Stanford comes in at 88 amongst the 136 D-1 teams, ahead of only Purdue amongst the Power 4.
In ESPN's Football Power Index, Stanford fares a bit better at 64, which is ahead of West Virginia, Oklahoma State, Arizona, Northwestern, Wake Forest and Purdue. Stanford's projected record is 4.7-7.3 and FPI gives Stanford a 34.3% chance of 6+ wins.
Given what Stanford has lost due to the NFL (Ayomanor), graduation and transfers and what it has brought in, I have a hard time seeing substantive improvement on the past four years, which each ended in 3-9. Other than the change in head coach, can anyone pinpoint in what areas Stanford will improve this year?
In any case, given that the calendar is turning over to July and the Hawaii game is less than 8 weeks away, this seems like a reasonable time to talk about our expectations for Stanford Football 2025.
A few weeks ago, ESPN came out with something called the "football future power" ranking. The criteria, projecting ahead for the 2025 and 2026 seasons, are:
* Returning quarterback
* Likelihood of a multiyear QB on roster
* Offensive line/defensive line outlook
* Roster management
* Star power (All-Americans, national award contenders, all-conference contenders)
* Coaching staff
Out of the 68 teams in the Power 4 + Notre Dame, Stanford comes in at...
68
In ESPN's SP+ rankings, just for the upcoming season, Stanford comes in at 88 amongst the 136 D-1 teams, ahead of only Purdue amongst the Power 4.
In ESPN's Football Power Index, Stanford fares a bit better at 64, which is ahead of West Virginia, Oklahoma State, Arizona, Northwestern, Wake Forest and Purdue. Stanford's projected record is 4.7-7.3 and FPI gives Stanford a 34.3% chance of 6+ wins.
Given what Stanford has lost due to the NFL (Ayomanor), graduation and transfers and what it has brought in, I have a hard time seeing substantive improvement on the past four years, which each ended in 3-9. Other than the change in head coach, can anyone pinpoint in what areas Stanford will improve this year?
If there's one thing people have learned in Berkeley, it's that you can't put "Cal football" and "Rose Bowl" in the same sentence. The words just don't fit. You'd be better off linking "covered wagons" with "Mars travel." (Bruce Jenkins, Cal '70, SF Chronicle, Nov. 11, 2017)

