Byu Cougars vs Stanford Cardinal Picks and Predictions September 6th 2025

BYU vs Stanford: Breaking Down the Big Home Matchup

After dominating Portland State 69-0 in their season opener, the BYU Cougars are geared up to defend their turf once more—this time against a tougher opponent, the Stanford Cardinal. With momentum, home-field advantage, and a rising star at quarterback, the Cougars are looking to make a national statement.

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BYU’s Hot Start and Rising Freshman Star

In his collegiate debut, true freshman Bear Bachmeier made it look almost too easy. He completed 7-of-11 passes for 97 yards and three touchdowns—all in the first half. Add in 32 rushing yards and two more touchdowns on the ground, and you’ve got your Big 12 Freshman of the Week.

Head coach Kalani Sitake praised Bachmeier’s composure, saying he showed “great presence” and leadership. While a few throws might’ve been off, the young quarterback’s ability to command the offense was more than evident.

Historic Numbers from BYU’s Ground Game

BYU Cougars posted a jaw-dropping 468 rushing yards—second most in program history. Combine that with 606 total yards, their highest since the 2020 Boca Raton Bowl vs. UCF, and it’s clear this offense is already humming.

Defense Dominates

BYU’s defense was equally impressive, allowing just 51 total yards and holding Portland State to -5 rushing yards. That’s the kind of performance that boosts confidence heading into Week 2.

Stanford’s Painful Opener and Key Challenges

Stanford Cardinal didn’t have the dream start. They lost a tight 23-20 battle to Hawaii on a last-second field goal. Despite leading late in the game, their defense couldn’t hold the edge in the final minutes.

Running back Micah Ford was a bright spot, rushing for 113 yards and a key touchdown that temporarily gave Stanford the lead. But the offense stalled late, and QB Ben Gulbranson struggled, going 15-of-30 for just 109 yards with an interception.

Frank Reich Looks to Rally the Team

First-year Stanford head coach Frank Reich stressed the need to “stay the course” after the gut-wrenching loss. He acknowledges the challenge ahead, saying, “(BYU) looks like an NFL team defensively.”

With a jump in competition level and a hungry BYU Cougars squad waiting, Stanford has a steep hill to climb.

Previous Matchups & Rivalry Recap

The two programs have only met three times before. Stanford Cardinal leads the series 2-1, but BYU Cougars won the most recent clash—a 35-26 road victory in 2022.

Head-to-Head Snapshot

Game Day Essentials: What to Watch

The storyline writes itself—Bear Bachmeier originally committed to Stanford Cardinal back in December 2024 before switching to BYU Cougars. Now, he’ll go head-to-head with the team he once intended to lead.

This personal connection adds extra fuel to an already intriguing matchup.

Time of Possession vs Explosive Offense

Stanford controlled the ball for 36:07 against Hawaii, their best since 2019. But will a ball-control strategy work against a BYU team that scores in lightning-fast drives?

Expert Betting Insight

This game is already generating buzz among college football bettors. For predictions, picks, and deeper analysis, check out our full College Football Picks and NCAAF Odds pages.

Key Matchup Comparisons

Don’t Miss It: BYU vs Stanford on Saturday

With history, talent, and storylines all colliding, this game promises excitement. BYU Cougars will be looking to ride the wave of their massive win and assert dominance at home. Meanwhile, Stanford Cardinal needs to regroup fast and play clean, controlled football to stay competitive.

Be sure to follow all NCAAF action on Scores and Stats College Football and dive into our NFL Expert Betting Guide for even more insights.