In Week 2 of the 2025 college football regular season, the Stanford Cardinal travel to LaVell Edwards Stadium to play the BYU Cougars. This Saturday night game is set to kick off at 10:15 PM and will be broadcast on ESPN. As the home team, BYU enters the game ranked #25 in the Coaches Poll.
Stanford looks to bounce back after a narrow 23-20 loss to Hawaii in Week 1. Despite outgaining Hawaii on the ground with 177 rushing yards, the Cardinal struggled in the passing game and will need a better aerial performance against BYU. Currently, Stanford holds a 0-1 record, with their only game being on the road.
BYU, on the other hand, is coming off a dominant 69-0 win against Portland State in their season opener. The Cougars showcased a strong running game, amassing 468 rushing yards while holding their opponent to negative rushing yards. BYU will aim to continue their momentum at home against Stanford, where they have already demonstrated their strength this season.
BYU vs Stanford At a Glance
- Game Location: LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, UT
- Game Time and Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 10:15 PM
- TV Coverage: ESPN
- Stanford Record: 0-1, with a recent loss to Hawaii
- BYU Record: 1-0, following a dominant win over Portland State
- Betting Odds: BYU favored with a -20.5 spread and moneyline of -1440
BYU Cougars Prepare for Upcoming Challenge
Offensive Overview
In the 2025 season, the BYU Cougars have shown a strong offensive performance, particularly in rushing. With 468 rushing yards, they rank 2nd in the nation, demonstrating a powerful ground attack.
The passing game, however, has room for improvement. They stand at 104th in passing yards, with 138 yards recorded, suggesting a potential area to develop for a more balanced offensive strategy.
Defensive Strength
Defensively, the Cougars have been impressive, not allowing any points in their first game of the 2025 season. This effort positions them as the top-ranked defense in points against.
They’ve also excelled in sack production, achieving 2 sacks and holding a 6th place rank. Additionally, they are 3rd in fumbles recovered, with one recovery, showcasing their ability to capitalize on opponents’ mistakes.
Key Players to Watch
Bear Bachmeier has led the team at quarterback, contributing 97 passing yards and 3 touchdowns, ranking him 13th in passing touchdowns. His performance will be crucial in steering the offensive charge.
Running back LJ Martin stands out with 131 rushing yards, placing him 18th in the league. His ability to gain yards on the ground will be vital against tougher defensive lines.
Upcoming Challenges
The Cougars are set to play Stanford Cardinal at LaVell Edwards Stadium on September 6, 2025. This game will test their defensive prowess against a formidable opponent.
Following that, they face the Colorado Buffaloes away at Folsom Field on September 27, 2025. The away game will require the Cougars to maintain their defensive discipline in a challenging environment.
Team Betting Trends
- BYU has covered the spread in 7 of their last 10 home games.
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of BYU’s last 6 games played in September.
- BYU has won 8 of their last 10 games when playing as the favorite.
- The Cougars have a record of 4-1 against the spread in their last 5 games against Pac-12 opponents.
Stanford Cardinal: Analyzing the Numbers for an Upcoming Battle
Offensive Performance Review
Stanford’s offense has shown a mixed performance this season, securing 20 points in their recent game, placing them at 35th in the rankings. Their passing game has struggled significantly, with only 109 yards, ranking them at 117th. However, the ground game shows more promise, gaining 177 rushing yards, which is 55th in the nation.
In terms of advancing down the field, Stanford managed 21 first downs, a respectable 20th rank. This indicates a capacity to sustain drives, which could be crucial in upcoming challenges. Yet, the passing game remains an area needing improvement if the Cardinal are to increase their scoring potential.
Defensive Analysis
Defensively, Stanford has performed admirably by allowing only 23 points, ranking them 17th. Their pass rush has been formidable, with 4 sacks placing them in the 4th position. Despite their success in pressure, the team has yet to secure an interception, indicating a need for improvement in pass defense.
The Cardinal’s ability to recover fumbles is commendable, with one recovery placing them 3rd. This ability to capitalize on opponents’ mistakes may prove vital in close contests. Overall, their defense seems capable, but the secondary’s lack of interceptions is a concern.
Key Players to Watch
Ben Gulbranson, the quarterback, threw for 109 yards in his first game, showing a need for more explosive plays. Running back Micah Ford contributed significantly with 113 rushing yards and a touchdown, demonstrating his role as a key offensive weapon. On the receiving end, CJ Williams caught three passes for 30 yards, leading the wideouts.
On defense, while specific standout performances are not highlighted, the overall team effort in limiting points and executing a solid pass rush stands out. Special teams also showed promise with kicker Emmet Kenney making two field goals, adding reliability in scoring situations.
Team Betting Trends
- ? Straight Up (SU) Last 3: 0-1 (0.0%)
- ? SU All Games: 0-1 (0.0%)
- ? SU as Underdog: 0-1 (0.0%)
- ? Spread (ATS) Last 3: 0-1 (0.0%)
- ? ATS All Games: 0-1 (0.0%)
- ? Totals (O/U) Last 3: 0-1 (0.0%)
- ? O/U All Games: 0-1 (0.0%)
BYU vs Stanford Prediction: Over 46.0
BYU’s offense has been impressive in the early part of the 2025 season, scoring 69 points, which ranks 6th nationally. Their potent rushing attack, currently ranked 2nd, should thrive against Stanford’s defense. Considering BYU’s ability to score, they could push the total higher.
On the other side, Stanford’s offense has shown some potential, scoring 20 points in their opener. While they have struggled with passing, their ground game has been a relative strength. They will need to rely on their rushing game to keep up with BYU and contribute to the total score.
Defensively, BYU has yet to concede a point this season, but this could change against a Power 5 opponent like Stanford. Stanford’s defensive ranks are favorable, yet facing a high-caliber offense like BYU’s at LaVell Edwards Stadium could result in more points allowed.
Given the offensive capabilities and the potential for Stanford to put some points on the board, the game should see a higher total. I project a final score of BYU 38 – Stanford 17, putting the total over the set line of 46.0.
- BYU vs Stanford Prediction: Over 46.0
- BYU vs Stanford Score: BYU 38 – Stanford 17
