(Nationally Televised on CBS! Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 7:30 PM Eastern)

The Stanford Cardinal faced off against Hawaii in Week 1 of the 2023 season on national television, securing a 37-24 victory. After a tough inaugural season in the ACC, where they managed only three wins, head coach Troy Taylor was let go, paving the way for Interim HC Frank Reich to take the helm for the 2025 season. Meanwhile, Hawaii, under Timmy Chang, has seen back-to-back five-win seasons and is gearing up for his fourth year as head coach. This season is expected to be Chang’s strongest yet, with improvements in consistency and efficiency, along with a defense that should perform better overall.

The Cardinals are expected to finish at the bottom of the ACC standings. Freshman quarterback Elijah Brown is set to take the reins, supported by six returning offensive starters from last season. Meanwhile, GM Andrew Luck is still on the hunt for a permanent head coach, which means expectations for Reich will be quite low. Last year, Stanford struggled defensively, ranking last in the ACC by allowing over 33 points per game. They also lost their top two receivers, Elic Ayomanor to the NFL Draft and Emmett Mosley V to the transfer portal. On a brighter note, starting running back Micah Ford is back after rushing for 309 yards without a touchdown on 76 carries last season.

Timmy Chang has proven to be a solid choice for Hawaii, managing to secure ten wins over the past two seasons despite numerous challenges. As he enters his fourth year, there’s a real chance the team could make strides toward bowl eligibility. Micah Alejado is stepping in as quarterback after Brayden Schager’s impressive season, where he racked up 2,591 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. Alejado showcased his potential in the season finale against New Mexico, throwing for 469 yards and five touchdowns without any interceptions, leading the team to a 38-30 victory. Additionally, with safety Peter Manuma and cornerback Virdel Edwards II returning from injuries that sidelined them for most of last season, they could significantly bolster the defense in 2025.

These two teams are heading in very different directions. Timmy Chang seems poised to make significant improvements, having spent three seasons rebuilding his roster. In contrast, the Cardinal are dealing with an interim coach and appear to be in a bit of chaos. As Hawaii enters Week 0 as a slight favorite, it will be fascinating to see how this matchup unfolds and which team ultimately proves to be stronger.

Week 0 Prediction: Hawaii 28 – Stanford 17