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· collected 2026-08-19 · by Josh Dubow The Associated Press
Tavita Pritchard is taking over as head coach of Stanford, a program that has not had a winning record in a full season since 2018. The team faces a tough schedule, including games against Miami, Notre Dame, and Louisville. Strengths for the Cardinal include their running game, led by Micah Ford who ran for 643 yards last season, and a strong defense anchored by linebacker Matt Rose. However, there are questions about the passing game with new quarterback Davis Warren, who struggled at Michigan before suffering an injury that kept him out of action last year.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-19,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Stanford's football team is preparing to start its first season under new head coach Tavita Pritchard, a former assistant coach and offensive coordinator at the school. Pritchard was hired after serving in the NFL as an assistant, and he takes over a program that has struggled in recent years. The Cardinal have not had a winning record since going 9-4 in 2018, and last season they finished with a 4-8 record under interim coach Frank Reich. Despite some concerns about the team's overall strength, Stanford does return its leading rusher from last year, Micah Ford, who ran for 643 yards in just nine games. The team will face a tough schedule this season, including matchups against Miami, Notre Dame, and SMU.
Written for “Stanford Football Season Preview” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
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No political leaning scored for article 1160 · logged 2026-08-24
Stanford
STANFORD, Calif. (AP) — 2025 record: 4-8
Expectations
The Cardinal showed slight improvement last season under interim coach Frank Reich by following four straight three-win seasons with a 4-8 campaign that included a win over rival California in the Big Game.
asserted
that → show → Game
GM Andrew Luck brought in his former teammate at Stanford, Tavita Pritchard, in as head coach following a stint as an assistant in the NFL.
asserted
Luck → bring → NFL
Pritchard, who had previously served as OC at Stanford under David Shaw, will have a long road to get the Cardinal back close to the level they were at a decade ago when they were one of the top programs on the West Coast.
asserted
they → serve → Coast
Stanford hasn’t had a winning record in a full season since going 9-4 in 2018.
asserted
Stanford → have → 2018
A schedule that includes games against Miami, Notre Dame, Louisville and SMU offers few easy games so even if the team improves in 2026 it might not show up in the record.
uncertain
it → include → record
Strengths include the running game
asserted
Strengths → include → game
Leading rusher Micah Ford is back after running for 643 yards in nine games last season.
asserted
Ford → run → games
He will run behind an experienced offensive line that includes guard Simione Pale, who played only four games last year because of an injury.
asserted
who → run → injury
The defense is led by LB Matt Rose, who was one of the most productive players in the conference last season.
asserted
who → lead → conference
Rose had 108 tackles, eight tackles for loss and three sacks last season.
asserted
Rose → have → loss
CB Brandon Nicholson anchors the secondary.
asserted
Nicholson → anchor → secondary
Weaknesses include questions about the passing game
Pritchard, who tutored Jayden Daniels in the NFL as quarterbacks coach in Washington, brought in Michigan transfer Davis Warren as his new QB.
asserted
who → include → QB
Warren sat out last season with an injury after spotty play the previous year when he averaged 5.7 yards per attempt with nine INTs and seven TD passes in nine games.
asserted
he → sit → games
But he did help the Wolverines upset Ohio State and brings strong leadership and experience in big games even if he isn’t the dynamic passer the Cardinal will need to get back to contender status.
asserted
Cardinal → help → status
