Predicting what Stanford's schedule would look like as an independent

With their conference situation in the air Stanford may go the independent route

We are about a week removed from the Pac-12 collapsing and losing five teams in one day effectively signaling what is expected to be the end of the conference out West.

While those five programs were able to find a landing spot, the four remaining programs of Washington State, Oregon State, Cal, and Stanford have yet to find a new home. There are still hopes in the Bay Area that Stanford and Cal will end up in the ACC, which as of the past couple days they were two votes short of having the support they needed but nonetheless it is still possible.

If they don't happen to get the necessary votes, one of the most likely options for Stanford would be the independent route like Notre Dame. While they don't exactly have the same level of brand, Stanford certainly has a strong enough brand to go this route. Scheduling could end up being difficult, but in order to stay in the national picture they will need to compile a schedule that is both entertaining to fans and television networks, yet challenging enough to ensure they can contend for the playoff or respectable bowl games based on their resume. 

They obviously already have two games on their schedule until the end of time written in permanent ink with Notre Dame and Cal, but let's take a look at what I think their schedule could look like in 2024 if they were to go independent. This is based off of programs who have openings, and off the assumption that the other two Pac-12 schools will end up in the Mountain West. This also accounts for Pac-12 schools changing conferences that may have to modify their schedules. 

Week 1: TCU

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While they currently only have three games scheduled for their 2024 schedule, they are set to host TCU to open the season. This matchup pits them against a team who made the playoff a year ago, and is also the new face of the Big 12. This could be a statement game for Stanford, and it is a matchup that certainly generates national attention. They could also move this to Week 0 to get even more eyes on them. 

Week 2: Cal Poly

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Continuing with the trend of keeping future matchups intact, Stanford is also set to host Cal Poly. While this won't be a game that is generating national interests, it would seem a tad unfair to Cal Poly to just bounce them off the books. 

Week 3: Colorado

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Assuming this schedule takes place in 2024, there aren't many teams with openings, but one program that both has openings and will draw attention is Colorado. The Deion Sanders experiment is must-watch, and a battle of former conference foes is enticing. The opening comes from the fact they will have to reorganize their schedule in 2025 due to the fact they are scheduled to play Houston. They could push a game back a year that they have scheduled, and add Stanford. 

Week 4: Oregon

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With the Ducks off to the Big Ten, they don't officially have a 12 game schedule lined up. This not only works perfectly for them, but it provides yet another marquee matchup for Stanford. Not to mention, the two obviously have a past history which adds more intrigue.

Week 5: Cal

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Stanford and Cal are viewed as a package deal or they have at least been treated as such. So, more than likely it'll mean that the Golden Bears will need opponents as well. This is a historic rivalry, and is one that I assume will stick around regardless of what happens in the future.

Week 6: San Diego State

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This matchup includes some future projections, as San Diego State is scheduled to play Washington State in 2024 and 2025 and the Cougars are currently expected to end up in the Mountain West. That would mean they would need someone to replace them on their schedules, which is where Stanford comes in. Things may need to be moved around, but that's a problem for a different day. 

Week 7: Oregon State

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Another program who is expected to be in a new conference by the time 2024 rolls around, Oregon State currently only has three games on their 2024 schedule which makes this much easier for both parties. 

Week 8: Washington State

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If Washington State does end up in the Mountain West and Stanford is able to snatch the San Diego State game from their schedule, they can also add the Cougars to their schedule as well. Similar to Oregon State, Washington State is at three scheduled games right now for 2024, so they need to fill their schedule out as well.  

Week 9: San Jose State

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Again, this is highly dependent on the fact that Washington State could end up in the Mountain West. If they do, this would be another game they'd likely have to reschedule, and would also be a huge help for Stanford. This would add another rivalry game for Stanford on the year. 

Week 10: BYU

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BYU is another team that will need some work when it comes to filling out their schedule, and being that they are moving to the Big 12 they will also be a quality opponent for Stanford. 

Week 11: SMU

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The American currently has a new format where they play eight conference games, and based on SMU's schedule for 2024 they are at 11 games. So, for Stanford they get another matchup on the calendar against a program that has been trending upwards and was expected to become a conference foe for Stanford in either the Pac-12 or ACC. 

Week 12: Notre Dame

The perfect way to end the season, Stanford and Notre Dame will face off to conclude the year in what could be the most entertaining battle of independents we have seen in a while. The two have major history, and it's hard to imagine a world where they don't play one another.