Stanford and Hawaii will kick off their 2025 college football seasons in Honolulu on August 23 in a matchup that pairs two programs looking to rebound from disappointing 2024 campaigns, albeit under very different circumstances. Stanford enters the contest with a new but familiar face leading the program, as former NFL head coach Frank Reich steps in as interim coach following the dismissal of Troy Taylor after two straight 3–9 seasons, during which the Cardinal struggled in nearly every phase of the game. Offensively, Stanford averaged just 22.8 points per game last season, relying on inconsistent quarterback play and a leaky offensive line that allowed far too much pressure on the pocket. Defensively, things were even worse—the Cardinal gave up 33.7 points per contest and frequently allowed big plays in both the run and pass game, finishing in the bottom 20 nationally in most major categories. Hawaii, meanwhile, remains under the direction of head coach Timmy Chang, who has yet to produce a winning season but continues to build slowly toward consistency. The Rainbow Warriors went 5–7 in 2024, with modest offensive production (22.3 points per game) and defensive metrics that were slightly more respectable, though still not where they want to be.

They return a core group of offensive starters, including quarterback Brayden Schager, who threw for over 3,000 yards last season but needs to improve in red zone efficiency and turnover prevention. Early betting markets have installed Hawaii as a 6-point favorite, largely due to the combination of Stanford’s program instability and Hawaii’s home-field advantage at the Clarence T. C. Ching Athletics Complex, where the team tends to perform better with a full offseason of preparation. The over/under sits around 46 points, suggesting a low-scoring contest that could be shaped by field position, clock control, and mistake avoidance. Key matchups to watch include Stanford’s offensive line against a Hawaii pass rush that ranked middle-of-the-pack in sacks, as well as Hawaii’s air attack testing a Stanford secondary that allowed explosive plays at an alarming rate in 2024. The battle of coaching styles could also be significant—Reich is known for his calm demeanor and quarterback-centric approach, but it remains to be seen how that translates to the college level, especially with a limited offseason to implement schemes. Meanwhile, Chang will look to exploit Stanford’s potential confusion and rely on tempo and rhythm throws to establish early momentum. Special teams may play a decisive role, particularly in a game where both offenses are inconsistent and points could be at a premium. If Stanford can limit mental errors and avoid falling behind early, they could keep things competitive, but Hawaii appears to have the edge in stability, quarterback continuity, and overall preparation for this early-season tilt. Given the long travel, coaching turnover, and historical struggles in non-conference road games, Stanford faces significant hurdles, while Hawaii will try to capitalize on this opportunity to start the season with a signature win against a Power Five opponent.