The Stanford Cardinal football team is looking to make a return to the College Football Playoff in 2024. After a disappointing 3-9 season in 2023, the Cardinal are hoping to bounce back and compete for a Pac-12 championship.
Stanford has a challenging schedule in 2024, but they also have a lot of talent returning. The Cardinal will be led by quarterback Tanner McKee, who is one of the top passers in the Pac-12. They also have a strong running game led by E.J. Smith and a talented defense led by linebacker Levani Damuni.
The Cardinal will open the season on September 7th at home against Sacramento State. They will then travel to Eugene to face the Oregon Ducks on September 14th. Stanford will then host UCLA on September 21st before traveling to Corvallis to face the Oregon State Beavers on September 28th.
Stanford Football 2024 Schedule
Cardinal aim for playoff return.
- Challenging schedule.
- Talented team returning.
- Led by QB Tanner McKee.
- Strong running game.
- Talented defense.
- Home opener vs. Sacramento State.
The Cardinal have a tough road ahead, but they have the talent and experience to make a run at the Pac-12 title and a berth in the College Football Playoff.
Challenging schedule.
Stanford’s 2024 schedule is one of the most challenging in the country. They will face seven teams that finished ranked in the top 25 in the final 2023 CFP rankings, including three teams that made the College Football Playoff.
The Cardinal will open the season at home against Sacramento State, but they will then travel to Eugene to face the Oregon Ducks, who are always a contender in the Pac-12. Stanford will then host UCLA, who is coming off a 9-4 season in 2023. The Cardinal will then travel to Corvallis to face the Oregon State Beavers, who are always a tough opponent at home.
Stanford will also have to face USC, Utah, and Washington, all of whom are expected to be contenders in the Pac-12 in 2024. The Cardinal will also have to travel to Notre Dame, who is always a tough opponent, regardless of where the game is played.
Despite the challenging schedule, Stanford has the talent and experience to compete for a Pac-12 championship and a berth in the College Football Playoff. The Cardinal will need to stay healthy and avoid injuries, but they have the potential to be one of the best teams in the country in 2024.
The Cardinal will need to be at their best every week if they want to achieve their goals in 2024. But if they can stay healthy and avoid injuries, they have the potential to be one of the best teams in the country.
Talented team returning.
Stanford has a lot of talented players returning in 2024, including several key starters on both offense and defense.
- QB Tanner McKee: McKee is one of the top quarterbacks in the Pac-12. He passed for 3,424 yards and 27 touchdowns in 2023. He is also a good runner, with 339 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns in 2023.
- RB E.J. Smith: Smith is a rising star at running back. He rushed for 1,127 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2023. He is also a good receiver out of the backfield, with 23 catches for 225 yards and 2 touchdowns in 2023.
- WR Michael Wilson: Wilson is Stanford’s leading receiver. He caught 63 passes for 1,029 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2023. He is a big-play threat, with 10 catches of 20+ yards and 5 catches of 40+ yards in 2023.
- LB Levani Damuni: Damuni is one of the best linebackers in the Pac-12. He led Stanford with 105 tackles in 2023. He is also a good pass rusher, with 7.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss in 2023.
These are just a few of the talented players returning for Stanford in 2024. With this much talent returning, the Cardinal have the potential to be one of the best teams in the country.
Led by QB Tanner McKee.
Tanner McKee is one of the best quarterbacks in the Pac-12, and he will be the leader of the Stanford offense in 2024.
- Strong arm: McKee has a strong arm and can make all the throws. He can throw the deep ball with accuracy and touch, and he can also fit the ball into tight windows.
- Good mobility: McKee is also a good runner, which makes him a dual-threat quarterback. He can extend plays with his legs and pick up yards on the ground.
- Smart and experienced: McKee is a smart and experienced quarterback. He is a quick learner and has a good understanding of the game. He is also a good leader and has the respect of his teammates.
- Surrounded by talent: McKee will be surrounded by a lot of talent in 2024. He has a good running game led by E.J. Smith, and he has a talented group of receivers led by Michael Wilson.
With McKee leading the way, the Stanford offense has the potential to be one of the best in the Pac-12 in 2024.
Strong running game.
Stanford has a strong running game led by E.J. Smith.
- E.J. Smith: Smith is a rising star at running back. He rushed for 1,127 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2023. He is a powerful runner with good speed and agility. He is also a good receiver out of the backfield.
- Offensive line: Stanford has a strong offensive line that will help pave the way for Smith and the other running backs. The offensive line is led by center Drake Nugent, who is one of the best centers in the Pac-12.
- Scheme: Stanford runs a pro-style offense that emphasizes the running game. The Cardinal like to run the ball downhill and use their physicality to wear down their opponents.
- Experience: Stanford has a lot of experience in the running game. Smith is a sophomore, but he has already started 18 games in his career. The offensive line also has a lot of experience, with four of the five starters returning in 2024.
With Smith leading the way and a strong offensive line in front of him, the Stanford running game should be one of the best in the Pac-12 in 2024.
Talented defense.
Stanford has a talented defense that should be one of the best in the Pac-12 in 2024.
- Levani Damuni: Damuni is one of the best linebackers in the Pac-12. He led Stanford with 105 tackles in 2023. He is also a good pass rusher, with 7.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss in 2023.
- David Bailey: Bailey is a rising star at cornerback. He had 4 interceptions and 9 pass breakups in 2023. He is a physical cornerback who is good in coverage and can also make tackles.
- Ryan Bullock: Bullock is a senior safety who is the leader of the Stanford defense. He is a smart and experienced player who is good at reading the quarterback and making plays.
- Depth: Stanford has a lot of depth on defense. They have several talented players who can step in and contribute if there are any injuries.
With Damuni, Bailey, Bullock, and a lot of depth, the Stanford defense should be one of the best in the Pac-12 in 2024.
Home opener vs. Sacramento State.
Stanford will open the 2024 season at home against Sacramento State on September 7th. This will be the first meeting between the two schools.
Sacramento State is a FCS school that plays in the Big Sky Conference. They are coming off a 9-3 season in 2023, and they have won at least eight games in each of the last three seasons.
The Hornets are led by quarterback Jake Dunniway, who passed for 2,789 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2023. They also have a good running game led by running back Cameron Skattebo, who rushed for 1,234 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2023.
Stanford should be favored to win this game, but they cannot overlook Sacramento State. The Hornets are a good FCS team that is capable of pulling off an upset if the Cardinal are not careful.
The home opener is always a special game for Stanford fans. It is a chance to see the team in action for the first time and to get excited for the upcoming season. The Cardinal will be looking to start the season with a win and set the tone for the rest of the year.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Stanford Football 2024 schedule:
Question 1: When is Stanford’s first game in 2024?
Answer: Stanford’s first game in 2024 is on September 7th at home against Sacramento State.
Question 2: Who are Stanford’s toughest opponents in 2024?
Answer: Stanford’s toughest opponents in 2024 include Oregon, UCLA, Oregon State, USC, Utah, and Washington.
Question 3: What are Stanford’s chances of making the College Football Playoff in 2024?
Answer: Stanford’s chances of making the College Football Playoff in 2024 will depend on a number of factors, including how well they play against their tough opponents and how many injuries they have.
Question 4: Who is Stanford’s starting quarterback in 2024?
Answer: Tanner McKee is expected to be Stanford’s starting quarterback in 2024.
Question 5: Who are some of Stanford’s key players in 2024?
Answer: Some of Stanford’s key players in 2024 include E.J. Smith, Michael Wilson, Levani Damuni, and David Bailey.
Question 6: Where can I find more information about Stanford Football?
Answer: You can find more information about Stanford Football on the team’s official website.
Question 7: How can I purchase tickets for Stanford Football games?
Answer: You can purchase tickets for Stanford Football games online or at the Stanford Ticket Office.
Closing Paragraph for FAQ
These are just a few of the frequently asked questions about the Stanford Football 2024 schedule. For more information, please visit the team’s official website.
In addition to the FAQ section above, here are some tips for Stanford Football fans in 2024:
Tips
Here are some tips for Stanford Football fans in 2024:
Tip 1: Buy your tickets early.
Stanford Football games are always popular, so it is important to buy your tickets early to avoid missing out.
Tip 2: Arrive at the stadium early.
Stanford Stadium is a large stadium, and it can take some time to get to your seat. Arrive early to avoid missing the start of the game.
Tip 3: Be prepared for the weather.
Stanford Stadium is located in the San Francisco Bay Area, which is known for its unpredictable weather. Be prepared for anything from sunshine to rain to fog.
Tip 4: Show your Cardinal pride.
Wear your Stanford gear and cheer on the team loudly. Make sure to learn the fight song and the alma mater.
Tip 5: Be respectful of the other fans.
Stanford Football games are a great place to meet new people and make friends. Be respectful of the other fans, even if they are rooting for the other team.
Closing Paragraph for Tips
By following these tips, you can make sure that you have a great time at Stanford Football games in 2024. Go Cardinal!
The 2024 Stanford Football season is sure to be an exciting one. The Cardinal have a talented team and a challenging schedule. With a little luck, they could make a run at the College Football Playoff. Go Stanford!
Conclusion
The 2024 Stanford Football season is shaping up to be an exciting one. The Cardinal have a talented team led by quarterback Tanner McKee and running back E.J. Smith. They also have a strong defense led by linebacker Levani Damuni. However, they will have a challenging schedule, with games against Oregon, UCLA, Oregon State, USC, Utah, and Washington.
If the Cardinal can stay healthy and avoid injuries, they have the potential to be one of the best teams in the Pac-12 and compete for a berth in the College Football Playoff. The home opener against Sacramento State should be a good opportunity for the Cardinal to get off to a good start.
Stanford Football fans should be excited about the 2024 season. The Cardinal have a lot of talent and a lot of potential. With a little luck, they could make a run at the College Football Playoff.
Go Stanford!