How to Watch Stanford vs. Hawaii: TV Channel, College Football Streaming, Kickoff Time
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Stanford and Hawaii begin their 2026 college football seasons Saturday in a matchup that already carries plenty of intrigue.
The Cardinal host the Rainbow Warriors at Stanford Stadium looking to avenge last season’s dramatic loss in Honolulu. Hawaii won that meeting 23-20 on a 38-yard field goal as time expired, spoiling Frank Reich’s debut as Stanford’s interim coach. This time, Tavita Pritchard will make his head-coaching debut for the Cardinal.
Hawaii enters the season with quarterback Micah Alejado back after an impressive 2025 campaign, but the Rainbow Warriors will be without one of his most important weapons. Leading receiver Pofele Ashlock has been ruled out with a knee injury.
Stanford enters Saturday as a slight favorite, setting up what could be one of the more competitive games on the opening weekend schedule.
How to Watch Stanford vs. Hawaii
Date: Saturday, Aug. 29
Kickoff Time: 7 p.m. ET
TV Channel: ACC Network
Streaming: ESPN Unlimited, Fubo
Location: Stanford Stadium; Stanford, California
Betting odds: Stanford -4.5, Over/Under 48.5 on DraftKings.
Hawaii Opens Season Without Pofele Ashlock
The biggest development heading into kickoff involves Ashlock.
The 6-foot-2 senior led Hawaii with 76 receptions for 827 yards and eight touchdowns last season. His absence removes a proven option from an offense that otherwise has reason for optimism with Alejado returning at quarterback.
Alejado finished the 2025 season averaging 282.4 passing yards per game, eighth nationally, while averaging 25.9 completions per game, second among FBS quarterbacks.
Hawaii finished 9-4 last season, its highest win total since 2019, and capped the year by defeating California in the Hawaii Bowl.
There has been considerable roster turnover, however.
The Rainbow Warriors must replace 17 starters across offense, defense and special teams. Only eight starters return, although four of those players earned All-Mountain West recognition last season.
Ashlock was one of them.
Stanford Begins New Era Under Tavita Pritchard
Stanford will have a new look of its own Saturday.
Pritchard makes his head-coaching debut after taking over a program still searching for a breakthrough. The Cardinal haven’t won more than four games in a season since 2018.
Michigan transfer Davis Warren will start at quarterback after making nine starts during his time with the Wolverines.
Stanford also returns running back Micah Ford, who rushed for 643 yards last season, the most by a Cardinal running back since 2019. Linebacker Matt Rose is another key returner after recording 106 tackles, Stanford’s highest total since 2015.
Recent history adds another layer to Saturday’s matchup.
This will be the third time in four seasons that Stanford has opened against Hawaii. Stanford won 37-24 in Honolulu in 2023 before Hawaii answered with its last-second victory in 2025. Saturday marks Hawaii’s first game at Stanford.
For Pritchard, it’s an opportunity to begin his Stanford tenure with a victory.
For Hawaii, it’s an early chance to show that last year’s nine-win season was only the beginning, even without its leading receiver available for the opener.
Related: Hawaii Star Ruled Out for Season Opener Against Stanford
Related: Mountain West Quarterback Rankings for 2026
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Aug 29, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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