As Week 5 of the 2025 Regular Season unfolds, the San Jose State Spartans are set to take on the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium in a night game on September 27th. The Spartans, part of the Mountain West Conference, enter with a 1-2 record, having recently secured a victory over the Idaho Vandals. Meanwhile, the Cardinal, representing the Atlantic Coast Conference, stand at 1-3, with their sole win coming against Boston College in Week 3.
The Spartans’ performance has been inconsistent, with their only road game resulting in a loss to Texas. In contrast, Stanford has struggled on the road but maintained a perfect 1-0 record at home this season. The matchup will be broadcast on ACCN, offering fans an opportunity to watch these teams compete under the lights.
In terms of betting odds, San Jose State comes in as a slight underdog with a moneyline of +111, while Stanford holds a moneyline of -133. The spread slightly favors Stanford by 2.5 points, and the total points over/under is set at 49.5. Both teams will look to improve their standing and gain momentum as they progress through their respective conferences.
Stanford vs San Jose State At a Glance
- Game Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 7:30 PM
- Location: Stanford Stadium, Stanford, CA
- TV Coverage: ACCN
- San Jose State Record: 1-2 overall
- Stanford Record: 1-3 overall
- Game Odds: Stanford favored with a -133 moneyline
Stanford Cardinal Seek Redemption Against San Jose State Spartans
Offensive Challenges
The Stanford Cardinal offense has had a rocky start to the 2025 season, ranking 72nd in points scored with a total of 73 points. Their passing game has struggled, with 723 passing yards placing them 98th. Rushing has not been much better, ranking 103rd with 457 yards on the ground.
Quarterback Ben Gulbranson has been the leading figure for Stanford with 723 passing yards, although he ranks just 73rd in the nation. The Cardinal will need to find more consistency in their offensive play if they hope to improve their standing.
Defensive Struggles
Defensively, the Cardinal have allowed 118 points, placing them 85th in the rankings. While their ability to pressure the quarterback is notable, with 10 sacks ranking them 8th, the overall defense has gaps. Their pass defense has been strong in intercepting passes, with one interception ranking them 2nd.
Stanford’s defense will be tested by San Jose State, and they will need to capitalize on creating turnovers to offset their challenges in other areas. The combination of an aggressive pass rush and opportunistic secondary could be key for the Cardinal.
Recent Performance
Stanford’s recent games highlight a mix of outcomes, with their most recent game ending in a 48-20 loss to Virginia. Their sole victory came against Boston College, where they secured a 30-20 win. However, losses to BYU and Hawaii have pointed to inconsistencies.
The Cardinal’s struggles on the road have been apparent, losing all three away games this season. Returning home to face San Jose State offers a chance for redemption and an opportunity to stabilize their season.
Player Injuries
Injuries have been a concern for Stanford, with several key players questionable or out. Wide receiver David Pantelis will miss the season, impacting their passing attack. The offensive line also faces uncertainty with multiple players dealing with undisclosed injuries.
The injury report underscores the importance of depth for the Cardinal as they navigate the season. Key players’ availability could significantly impact their performance against the Spartans.
Team Betting Trends
- SU – As Favorite: Last 9 Games (2020–2024) → 7-2 (77.8%)
- O/U – After Loss: Last 28 Games (2022–2025) → 15-13 (53.6%)
- O/U – All Games: Last 8 Games (2024–2025) → 5-3 (62.5%)
- ATS – Away Games: Last 29 Games (2020–2025) → 11-18 (37.9%)
- SU – Home Games: Last 3 Games (2024–2025) → 2-1 (66.7%)
San Jose State Spartans Set to Battle at Stanford Stadium
Offensive Overview
The San Jose State Spartans have shown mixed results on offense this season. They have accumulated 52 points, placing them 84th in the nation. Their passing game has been moderate, with 718 passing yards, ranking 100th overall.
While their air attack has room for growth, the Spartans’ rushing offense faces more challenges. They have managed only 358 rushing yards, which ranks them 117th. This indicates a need for improvement in their ground game.
Defensive Highlights
On the defensive front, San Jose State has been relatively solid, conceding 82 points, ranking 55th in points against. Their defensive prowess is highlighted by their ability to pressure the quarterback, recording two sacks and ranking 16th.
The Spartans’ defense shines in turnovers, with one interception and two fumbles recovered, placing them 2nd and 4th, respectively. This turnover capability could be crucial in their upcoming game.
Recent Performance
In their recent outing, the Spartans edged out the Idaho Vandals with a 31-28 victory. This win showcased their ability to close out tight games. However, they previously struggled against Texas, losing 38-7, indicating inconsistency against higher-ranked opponents.
Earlier in the season, they narrowly lost to Central Michigan, 16-14. These results suggest that while the Spartans can compete, they need to find consistency in their performance.
Key Players to Watch
Quarterback Walker Eget has been pivotal, throwing for 718 yards and three touchdowns in three games. His performance will be key in the Spartans’ offensive strategy.
On the ground, Jabari Bates has rushed for 175 yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, wide receiver Danny Scudero leads with 385 receiving yards and one touchdown, making him a primary target.
Betting Trends
- ATS – Away Games: 10-2 (83.3%) over the last 12 games.
- SU – After Loss: 6-2 (75.0%) over the last 8 games.
- ATS – After Win: 19-11 (63.3%) over the last 30 games.
- O/U – After Loss: 10-5 (66.7%) over the last 15 games.
- SU – Totals ≥ 50: 11-7 (61.1%) over the last 18 games.
Stanford vs San Jose State Prediction: Stanford -2.5
In this Week 5 game, Stanford is favored by 2.5 points against San Jose State, with the odds at -110. Stanford’s strong performance as a favorite, evident by their 7-2 record in the last 9 games when favored, gives them an edge in this matchup.
San Jose State has struggled on the road with a 0-1 record this season, and their defense has been less effective compared to Stanford’s. The Cardinal’s defensive unit ranks higher in interceptions and fumbles recovered, which could play a pivotal role in limiting San Jose State’s offensive efforts.
Furthermore, Stanford has a 1-0 home record this season, and they are coming off a challenging game against Virginia, which should fuel their motivation to secure a win. This confidence, combined with their home advantage and better defensive stats, makes Stanford a solid pick against the spread.
Based on these factors, the projection is for Stanford to win and cover the spread, with a likely final score reflecting a Stanford victory of 27-24 over San Jose State.
- Stanford vs San Jose State Prediction: Stanford -2.5
- Stanford vs San Jose State Score: Stanford 27 – San Jose State 24
