On Saturday night, BYU will host the Stanford Cardinal in Provo for just the second time in school history. This non-conference matchup is the only Power 4 opponent on BYU’s schedule before the Cougars open Mountain West play at Colorado later this month.
BYU enters the game as a heavy favorite. Oddsmakers currently have BYU favored by 20.5 points following their 69-0 victory over Portland State. Stanford, meanwhile, comes off a narrow 23-20 loss at Hawaii in the season opener.
The Cardinal’s offense struggled significantly in their first game. Quarterback Ben Gulbranson, a sixth-year senior, completed just 15 of 30 passes for 109 yards and threw an interception. Most of Stanford’s production came on the ground, with the team rushing for 177 yards at an average of 4.1 yards per carry.
Expect BYU’s defense to control the line of scrimmage and make life difficult for Gulbranson. If he is forced to carry the offense on his own, the Cougars’ defensive front should limit Stanford’s effectiveness. It would not be surprising if Stanford explores other quarterback options to try to keep the game competitive.
BYU’s defense looks ready to assert its dominance. After holding Stanford to 20 points, BYU will likely stifle the Cardinal again. Unless BYU commits multiple turnovers, Stanford may struggle to score more than 14 points.
Offensively, BYU will rely heavily on running back LJ Martin. Martin had a standout performance in the season opener and contributed significantly on defense. Getting Martin involved early should help quarterback Bear Bachmeier settle into the game against a Power 4 opponent for the first time this season.
The BYU offense may start slowly as Bachmeier finds his rhythm. A halftime score of 10-3 or 14-3 would not be unexpected. Once Bachmeier adjusts, BYU is likely to pull away in the second half. The Cougars’ balanced attack, with strong rushing and passing options, should give Stanford’s defense a difficult challenge.
Stanford’s defensive performance has been inconsistent, as evidenced by allowing 40 points to Arizona in week one despite holding Hawaii to 20 points in week zero. BYU’s efficient offense could exploit these weaknesses, particularly on the ground, where the Cougars are expected to dominate time of possession.
The key for BYU will be maintaining possession, minimizing turnovers, and allowing Bachmeier to establish passing connections. If BYU executes effectively, they should be able to put the game out of reach by the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, the Cardinal will struggle to sustain drives and score points against a disciplined BYU defense.
Special teams and defensive scoring opportunities could also widen the gap. If BYU forces turnovers or stops short-yardage situations, the Cougars could quickly convert those opportunities into points, further limiting Stanford’s chance to stay competitive.
In summary, BYU is heavily favored to control both sides of the ball. While Stanford may show flashes of competitiveness, it is unlikely that their offense can keep pace with the Cougars’ high-powered attack. Fans in Provo can expect a decisive win for BYU, with the final score likely reflecting a dominant performance on both offense and defense.
