Stanford is set to become the second Pac-12 team to open its college football season in Australia, announcing official approval this week to move its opener against Rice from Houston, Texas to Sydney.
Just like last year's Cal-Hawaii game, this contest will be held one week earlier -- Aug. 26 in the United States, Aug. 27 locally in Australia -- to accommodate the impact international travel will have on both teams. It will be a big stage for the Cardinal, a team expected to challenge Washington and USC for the Pac-12 title after going 10-3 in 2016.
When Stanford returns, David Shaw and his staff turn their attention to USC. The impact of this trip on that pivotal Pac-12 contest is yet to be determined, but on Sept. 9 there's going to be a lot of eyes on Los Angeles as the two conference powers collide and set the terms for the title race in each division.
