Northwestern at Stanford 8/31/19 - College Football Betting Picks & Odds
Northwestern Wildcats vs. Stanford Cardinals
CFB: 4:00 PM EST
Aug. 31, 2019
TV: FOX
Latest Odds : STAN -6.5
The Northwestern Wildcats are set to visit Stanford Stadium in Stanford, California for a Week 1 clash against the Stanford Cardinals. The Northwestern Wildcats will be looking to expand off their success from the 2018 season as they went 9-5 with an appearance in the Holiday Bowl. The Wildcats will have to replace their 2018 QB in Clayton Thorson who contributed 3183 passing yards and a total of 26 TDs. Northwestern will return their leading rusher from a season ago as Isaiah Bowser contributed 866 rushing yards and 7 TDs.
The Northwestern Wildcats were fairly solid on the defensive side of the ball last season as they finished the year ranked 41st in points allowed. The Wildcats could potentially have one of the best LB units in college football as they return Paddy Fisher and Blake Gallagher who combined for 243 tackles last season. Northwestern should be well off in the secondary as well as they return JR Pace who pitched in 4 interceptions last season.
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The Stanford Cardinals are looking to repeat their success from the 2018 season as they went 9-4 with an appearance in the Sun Bowl, but they will have to replace some key pieces on the offensive side of the ball. The Cardinals will have to replace Bryce Love who contributed 739 rushing yards and 6 TDs as well as JJ Arcega-Whiteside who pitched in 1059 receiving yards and 14 TDs. Luckily KJ Costello will still be the starting QB after contributing 3540 passing yards, 29 TDs, and 11 interceptions last season.
The Stanford Cardinals are always a stout program on the defensive side of the ball, and last year was no different as they finished the season ranked 37th in points allowed. The Cardinals will have to replace two of their top tacklers as Bobby Okereke and Sean Barton combined for 185 tackles last season. Stanford will be well off in the secondary as they return their interception leader from 2018 as Paulson Adebo pitched in 4 interceptions and 17 pass deflections.
Recent Betting Trends:
Wildcats are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games in August.
Over is 8-3-1 in Wildcats last 12 road games.
Cardinal are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
Under is 5-2 in Cardinal last 7 non-conference games.
Free Betting Pick: Northwestern Wildcats +6.5
We have two of the best coaches in college football clashing in this matchup, and this will be one of the best games this week as it should be a close matchup throughout. The Northwestern Wildcats return most of their talent on both sides of the ball, and while they will have a new look under center it is former 5-star QB Hunter Johnson who transferred from Clemson. Stanford lost a lot of talent on the offensive side of the ball, and that is concerning for this matchup as Northwestern is very talented on the defensive side of the ball. Final Score Prediction, Northwestern Wildcats win and cover ATS 24-21.