The Stanford Cardinal football program confirmed reports that they will open the 2017 season against the Rice Owls in Sydney, Australia.
The date of the game hasn’t been announced because the NCAA hasn’t approved the contest taking place a week before the official start to the regular season. Usually, the confirmation process takes approximately six-to-eight weeks before its conclusion. The reason for moving the game a week ahead of the official season-opening date is to accommodate for travel, each school has requested a bye on that Labor Day weekend.
Stanford administrators believe it’s a mere formality before the site and date becomes official.