How Stanford and Its West Coast Brethren Planned for Long Road Trips in Conference Realignment

The Pac-12's Move to Eliminate Divisions

The Pac-12 Conference is doing away with its North and South divisions beginning in 2023, a move that will result in more balanced competition and, for some teams, much longer road trips.

Stanford University, which is located in the San Francisco Bay Area, will now have to travel to the far reaches of the conference, including Oregon, Washington, and Colorado. To prepare for these long journeys, the Cardinal have been planning a variety of measures.

Chartering Planes

One of the most significant changes for Stanford is that it will now be chartering planes for all of its conference road games. In the past, the team would fly commercial, which meant that flights were often delayed or canceled. Chartering planes will give the team more control over its schedule and will help to reduce travel time.

Staying in Nicer Hotels

Another way that Stanford is preparing for its long road trips is by staying in nicer hotels. In the past, the team would often stay in budget-friendly hotels, which were not always comfortable or convenient.

Now, the team will be staying in more upscale hotels, which will provide them with more amenities and a better night's sleep. This will help the players to be better rested and prepared for their games.

Eating Healthier Meals

In addition to traveling in style, Stanford is also focusing on eating healthier meals on the road. In the past, the team would often eat fast food or other unhealthy options.

Now, the team will be eating more nutritious meals, which will help them to stay energized and focused. This will give the players a better chance of winning their games.

Getting More Sleep

Finally, Stanford is also getting more sleep on the road. In the past, the team would often have to wake up early for morning flights or late games.

Now, the team will be staying in hotels that are closer to the stadium and will be able to get more sleep before games. The extra sleep will help the players to be more alert and focused on the field.

By taking these steps, Stanford is preparing itself for the challenges of long road trips in the Pac-12 Conference. The team is confident that it will be able to overcome the challenges and continue to be a competitive force in the conference.

The Future of College Football Travel

The Pac-12's move to eliminate divisions is just one example of how college football travel is changing. As conferences continue to expand and realign, teams are being forced to travel longer distances.

This has led to a number of changes in the way that teams travel, including the use of charter planes, nicer hotels, and healthier meals. It is likely that these trends will continue in the future, as college football teams look for ways to make travel more efficient and comfortable.