The 2015 Stanford Cardinal football team represented Stanford University in the 2015 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Cardinal were led by fifth-year head coach David Shaw. They played their home games at Stanford Stadium and were members of the North Division of the Pac-12 Conference. In 2015, the Cardinal were the champions of the Pac-12. After finishing in first place in the North Division, they beat USC in the Pac-12 Championship Game by a score of 41–22. They defeated Iowa 45–16 in the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2016. The Cardinal finished the season ranked No. 3 in the final Coaches Poll, their highest final ranking in the history of that poll. They were similarly ranked No. 3 in the final AP Poll, their highest final ranking in 75 years, following the 1940 national championship season. Wiki link