In 2025, Stanford finished with an overall record of 4-8. After the GM (general manager) signing of Andrew Luck, Stanford had hopes to achieve the possibility of a bowl game and had aspirations to improve from the year prior. Unfortunately, they hit a wall and failed to achieve that said goal. 

Ben Gulbranson, the starting QB for Stanford had 9 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2025. In the games they lost, he struggled to get the ball through the air. Specifically, in the games they lost Stanford had averaged just 13 PPG, which is 2nd lowest in the ACC, next to North Carolina. 

Despite the tough year, the team still had a few bright spots they can take away from this season. For example, Stanford’s defense allowed only 27 PPG (points per game) which was 5 points less than the year prior, where they allowed thirty-two points on average. Their best defensive performance this season came against Cal, where they only allowed 10 points and forced 3 fumbles in a 27-9 win. 

Stanford had a tough schedule this season, and that was the main premise for why they had the number of losses they did. The program had to face a handful of top 25 teams down the stretch, which included 6 teams ranked. Those teams were BYU, Virginia, SMU, Miami, Pitt, and Notre Dame. Stanford lost all of them. The program had to face these highly skilled teams because of the new way the ACC conference is set up. Stanford (who is in the ACC) was originally in a conference called the PAC 12. However, when it went extinct, they were forced to choose another football conference. They eventually chose the ACC. (Atlantic Coast Conference) This conference ruling doesn’t just apply for football, but for all other sports at Stanfords college. 

Next season, Stanford hopes to improve their football play as they continue to participate in ACC play.