1986 Stanford Cardinal football team

1986 Stanford Cardinal football
Gator Bowl, L 21–27 vs. Clemson
ConferencePacific-10 Conference
Record8–4 (5–3 Pac-10)
Head coach
Offensive schemeWest Coast
Defensive coordinatorDick Mannini (3rd season)
Base defense4–3
Home stadiumStanford Stadium
1986 Pacific-10 Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 4 Arizona State $ 5 1 110 1 1
No. 14 UCLA 5 2 18 3 1
No. 18 Washington 5 2 18 3 1
No. 11 Arizona 5 3 09 3 0
Stanford 5 3 08 4 0
USC 5 3 07 5 0
Oregon 3 5 05 6 0
Washington State 2 6 13 7 1
California 2 7 02 9 0
Oregon State 1 6 03 8 0
  • $ Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1986 Stanford Cardinal football team represented Stanford University in the 1986 NCAA Division I-A football season. In head coach Jack Elway's third season at Stanford, the Cardinal had its first winning season since 1980 and received its first post-season bowl invitation since 1978.

The team played their home games at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, California and competed in the Pacific-10 Conference.