The Northwestern Wildcats play the Stanford Cardinal at the Stanford Stadium on August 31, 2019.
The Northwestern Wildcats face UNLV next before the Big Ten season drops like a rock with Michigan State, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Ohio State, and Iowa. If that schedule isn’t tough, then add this game against Stanford and the Wildcats need every win if they want to go to the Rose Bowl. It won’t be easy. Northwestern’s passing was nowhere elite and the offense, in general, wasn’t special. Clemson transfer quarterback Hunter Johnson is a high-level talent and should make a difference in their offense. On the other hand, their skills positions are very good and at par with some of the best in the nation.
With all due respect to Northwestern, Stanford is using this football game as a warm-up for their road games against USC and UCF coming up next. Dates with Oregon and Washington also lie ahead in the Cardinal’s first-half schedule. On defense, Stanford has terrific cornerbacks but they lacked depth in their safeties while allowing 264 passing yards per game. The key for Stanford will be their passing game and QB KJ Costello needs to step up. With Northwestern finishing last in sacks allowed in the Big Ten last season, I’m looking forward to Costello moving the ball easily with his passing game.
Who Wins?
Northwestern is 8-2 SU in their last 10 games played, 8-0 SU in their last eight games played on the road and the 13-2 SU in their last 15 week 1 game played. Stanford is 4-1 SU in their last five games played and they are also 12-2 SU in their last 14 home games played. The Cardinal are also 5-0 SU in their last five games played in August. Head to head, the Northwestern Beat Stanford 16-6 in their only meeting in 2015.
This is Northwestern football and even as football betting underdogs, I always expect them to give this game a fight. But they will need to create turnovers in this game to beat Stanford. However, that Cardinal offense isn’t one that coughs up the ball often. They may have holes in their team to fill but that passing game should be on point in this match. Prediction: Stanford
Other Bets To Make
The Wildcats are 5-1 ATS in their last six games played in August and 2-3 ATS in their last five games played. The Cardinal are 3-1-1 ATS in their last five games played and are 3-1 ATS in their last five games played in August.
Northwestern
+6.5 (-110)
Stanford
-6.5 (-110)
Odds were taken from Mybookie.ag as of 8/23/19
I don’t think the Wildcats’ defense can put the pressure on QB KJ Costello. Costello should have enough time to move the football and create scores for his team. On the other hand, Northwestern line gave up too many sacks last season and I don’t think their offense can keep up with Stanford. Prediction: Stanford -6.5
The total has gone over in four out of the last six games of Northwestern against Pac 12 conference teams. The total has gone under in five out of the last seven Saturday games played by the Wildcats. The over is 7-3 in Stanford’s last 10 games played. The under is 6-3 in the Cardinals’ last nine games against a Big 10 conference opponent. The total has gone under n four out of Stanford’s last five-week 1 game played.
Northwestern
O 46.5 -110
Stanford
U 46.6 -110
Odds were taken from Mybookie.ag as of 8/23/19
These teams combined to average over 50 points per game last season. Northwestern averaged only 23.4 points per game in their last five games played while Stanford scored an average of 31.4 points per game in their last five games played, including two games where they scored over 48 points on their own. Stanford’s offense is top-notch, scoring at least 28 points in 14 times in the previous two seasons. I like Stanford to pick up the slack left by Northwestern. Prediction: Over 46.5