Northwestern at Stanford 8/31/19 - College Football Betting Picks & Odds
Northwestern Wildcats vs. Stanford Cardinal
CFB: 4:00 PM EST
Aug. 23, 2019
TV: FOX
Latest Odds : STAN -6.5 Total 47
The Northwestern Wildcats visit Stanford Stadium on Saturday August 31 to play the Stanford Cardinal in the college football season opener for both.
Northwestern is hoping to improve its offense from 2018 after finishing No. 12 in Big Ten play as the Wildcats had little to no running game. Hunter Johnson will debut at quarterback for the Wildcats, while Isaiah Bowser returns as Northwestern’s top rusher from last season. Northwestern must improve its pass protection as the offensive line allowed the most sacks in conference play. Nine starters are back on the defense which will be the strength of the team.
Stanford has starting quarterback K.J. Costello back for 2019. The signal caller was the Pac-12 leader in passing efficiency in 2018. The Cardinal must replace a top running back, three top wide receivers and four starters on the offensive line. The Cardinal will look to pass more in 2019 with the experienced Costello under center. The Cardinal defense has one of the nation’s top cornerbacks in Paulson Adebo, but will be tested against the run.
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Hunter Johnson has thrown just 27 passes at the collegiate level, but none as a member of the Wildcats. The top running back returning is Isaiah Bowser who rushed for 866 yards and six touchdowns in 2018. The top receiver back with Northwestern is Bennett Skowronek who in 2018 had 45 receptions for 562 yards with three touchdowns.
Stanford quarterback K.J. Costello threw for 3,540 yards, 29 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 2018. Cameron Scarlett is the top running back returning from last season when he had 330 yards and eight TDs. Colby Parkinson leads all returning receivers with 29 receptions for 485 yards and seven touchdowns.
Recent Betting Trends:
Northwestern is 4-1-2 ATS in its last 7 on grass
The UNDER has cashed in 6 of the Wildcats last 8 played in August
Stanford is 3-1-1 ATS in its last 5
The OVER has cashed in 4 of the Cardinal’s last 5 played on grass
Free Betting Pick: Northwestern Wildcats +6.5
Northwestern opens the season with a new quarterback and high expectations. The defense for the Wildcats must keep games close until the offense under its new signal caller becomes accustomed to the system and can generate the points needed to win. Stanford must replace much of its offensive line, its top running back and three top receivers. The Cardinal will win but the Northwestern defense will keep it close and cover. Final Score Prediction, Stanford Cardinal wins but fails to cover ATS 30-27.