Technically, Stanford plays its first game of the season Saturday when it hosts UC Davis.

The Cardinal would like people to believe it means just as much as any other game. After all, Davis did win on its last trip to the Farm -- a 20-17 upset in 2005.

In reality, that’s not the case.

With USC coming to town the following week for one of college football’s marquee early-season games, Stanford’s season-opener is all about preparing for the Trojans. Much like it did in games against San Jose State and Army a year ago, Stanford figures to roll out a vanilla offense aimed at doing enough to secure a victory, but not enough to tip its hand before the more important game the following week.

That doesn't mean Stanford isn't planning for Davis, however.

"We’ve been sneaking in some Davis prep all week," coach David Shaw said on Friday. "For the most part just a period at a time."

For Stanford, that prep wasn't solely about getting ready for the Aggies.

"We’ve been trying to get ourselves familiar with [Davis] and it helps break up the last week of camp," Shaw said. "By the last week, everybody is tired of each other so it’s nice to break it up and start thinking about somebody else.

"I’ve learned a lesson the last couple years that the last day of training camp should be as short as possible. Get our business done and get off the field."

In addition to winning, here are some objectives for the Cardinal in Week 1:

• Experience for the offensive line: Breaking in four new starters on the line isn't something that happens over night, and while there are high expectations for the group, it has yet to work as a unit against another team. What that means is if the Cardinal opens up a sizable lead -- which it likely will -- the starters likely won't exit as quickly as they might have in years past. Leonard Williams leads an imposing USC line and game reps are tough to simulate -- even those against an FCS opponent.

• Ty Montgomery on punt returns: If Montgomery plays, which is still a question mark due to a minor arm injury, the Cardinal will want to get him a few chances to return punts. He's yet to do that in his Stanford career, but he'll be part of a rotation back there this season and it'd be prudent for his debut not to come against USC.

• Get the TEs comfortable: Stanford was missing a huge part of its offense last year without a reliable option at tight end. That figures to change with the spring and fall-camp emergence of redshirt freshmen Eric Cotton and Austin Hooper, but, again, they haven't played in a game.

• Find the right option at safety: Stanford's depth chart shows Kyle Olugbode as the starting safety next to Jordan Richards and Zach Hoffpauir as his backup, but Shaw has been adamant they'll use a rotation that will also include Kodi Whitfield. Consider Saturday as a final audition for the trio as they fight for more playing time.

• Keep running plays basic: By this time, the coaching staff has a good idea of which backs are good at what. Davis is not the time to let everyone else know. Except a fairly even rotation between listed starter Kelsey Young, Barry Sanders, Remound Wright, Ricky Seale and possibly true freshman Christian McCaffrey.

• Stay healthy: Obviously.

A Stanford win would would make Shaw the first Stanford coach to win four season openers since Glenn "Pop" Warner did it from 1929-32. Coincidently, Warner's final win in 1932 came against Davis and doubles as Warner's last Stanford win and the school's last win against Davis.