Stanford Football Schedule 2023: Key Dates and Must-Watch Games Revealed
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As I sit here reviewing Stanford's 2023 football schedule, I can't help but feel that familiar mix of excitement and apprehension that comes with every new season. Having followed Cardinal football for over a decade now, I've seen enough cycles to recognize when a team stands at a crossroads - and this year feels particularly pivotal. The recent comments from a frustrated fan about needing "a little bit of help" and hoping "more people show up" perfectly captures the current sentiment around this program. It's that delicate balance between unwavering loyalty and honest assessment that makes college football so compelling.
Looking at the schedule, Stanford opens with a challenging matchup against Hawaii on August 26th, followed by USC coming to town on September 9th in what could be one of the most electric atmospheres at Stanford Stadium in years. Personally, I've marked September 23rd on my calendar - that's when we host Arizona in our Pac-12 opener, a game that could set the tone for the entire conference season. The reality is Stanford needs to capitalize on these early home games, because the road gets considerably tougher with back-to-back trips to Oregon and Washington in October. I've always believed that how a team handles that brutal Northwest swing tells you everything about their character and resilience. Last season, we dropped both those games by a combined 48 points, and frankly, that can't happen again if we want to be competitive in the Pac-12.
What really stands out to me about this schedule is the brutal three-game stretch from October 14th to 28th. We face UCLA at home, then travel to Colorado before hosting Washington State. That's 21 consecutive days of high-stakes football with no breaks, and it comes at a point in the season when injuries typically pile up. Having watched David Shaw build this program over the years, I'm genuinely curious to see how he manages player workload during this critical period. The roster currently stands at 115 scholarship players, though we'll likely see that number adjust slightly as the season progresses. Depth will be absolutely crucial, especially along both lines where we've struggled to maintain consistency in recent seasons.
I've got to be honest - the November schedule makes me nervous. We close with Oregon State on the 4th, then have Utah at home on the 11th, followed by our final Big Game against Cal on the 18th. The Thanksgiving weekend matchup against Notre Dame could be particularly challenging if we're battling for bowl eligibility. Looking back at last season's 3-9 record, I think we need to win at least two of these November games to show meaningful progress. The fan base is restless, and attendance has dipped to around 32,000 per game last season from our peak of nearly 50,000 in 2017. When that passionate fan mentioned hoping "more people show up," she wasn't just talking about scoring points - she was speaking to the broader health of the program.
From my perspective, the must-watch games this season are clearly the USC matchup in September and the Notre Dame finale. The Trojans bring Heisman candidate Caleb Williams to town, and there's nothing quite like the energy when Stanford pulls off an upset against a ranked opponent. I'll never forget the 2007 game when we stunned USC as 41-point underdogs - moments like that are why we keep coming back year after year. The Notre Dame game matters not just for rivalry bragging rights, but because it represents our final test before what promises to be an intriguing offseason with conference realignment looming.
What really strikes me about this schedule is how it reflects the changing landscape of college football. With the Pac-12's future uncertain beyond this season, every conference game carries additional weight beyond the immediate standings. There's a sense that we're not just playing for this season, but for the legacy of Stanford football in this conference. The team returns 14 starters from last year's squad, including quarterback Tanner McKee, who threw for 2,947 yards with 15 touchdowns last season. Those numbers need to improve, but I'm optimistic about the offensive line's development and the receiving corps that features three talented sophomores who showed flashes of brilliance last fall.
As I reflect on the entire schedule, I keep coming back to that fan's comment about needing help and hoping people show up. She's absolutely right - this program needs the Stanford community to rally behind it now more than ever. The schedule presents both challenges and opportunities, with 6 home games that should provide a solid foundation if we can protect our house. The road games are tough, but winnable if the team can develop the mental toughness that characterized Stanford football during its peak years. I'm predicting we finish 6-6 and secure a bowl bid, which would represent significant progress and build momentum heading into whatever comes next for this program. The truth is, Stanford football has faced uncertainty before and emerged stronger - and something tells me this team has the potential to surprise us all.